KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s economy remains on a resilient footing with a steady outlook for 2026, supported by firm electrical and electronics (E&E) and semiconductor exports, a tightening labour market, rising foreign direct investment (FDI) and a sustained tourism recovery, according to Citi Research.
The assessment was shared at Citi Malaysia’s 2026 Macroeconomic Forum, which convened senior corporate leaders and market participants, with Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Liew Chin Tong as the guest of honour.
Citi Malaysia country officer and banking head Vikram Singh said the country remains well-positioned for long-term growth, citing a stable macroeconomic environment backed by a clear and forward-looking policy agenda.
“There is a saying that the time to fix the roof is while the sun is shining. Today’s forum is a reminder that Malaysia continues to be a good place to do business — with a stable macroeconomic environment supported by a clear, coherent and forward-looking policy agenda.
“Now is a compelling time for businesses and policymakers to build capacity, strengthen resilience and position Malaysia for long term competitiveness,” he said in a statement.
During a fireside chat, Liew said Malaysia must evolve “from a trading nation to a technology nation” noting that few countries possess comprehensive manufacturing ecosystems.
He emphasised that Malaysia has a meaningful opportunity to “climb the technological ladder and emerge as a credible middle‐tech nation.”
Liew said Malaysia must strengthen both its physical hub and the essential ‘software’ — talent, innovation capacity and institutional readiness — to serve a multipolar global economy and the rising middle class.
Meanwhile, Citi’s head of ASEAN economics, Kit Wei Zheng, said Malaysia exited 2025 with stronger-than-expected momentum, driven by resilient E&E exports, solid FDI inflows including data centres and higher-value manufacturing, as well as improved fiscal conditions and benign inflation that allow policymakers to maintain a supportive stance into 2026.
Citi has operated in Malaysia since 1959 and employs nearly 4,000 staff locally, offering corporate and commercial banking, treasury and trade, markets, investor and transaction services.
