0834 GMT - UOB is cautiously optimistic about Malaysia's trade outlook for 2025, projecting export growth at 4.5%, lower than the expected 5.1% for this year. The export growth forecast for 2024 was revised from 7.6%, as year-to-date data shows a 4.7% increase, economists Julia Goh and Loke Siew Ting say in a note. They highlight potential risks, including Trump-era tariffs, China's sluggish growth, and ongoing geopolitical tensions. However, Malaysia's near-term export momentum may be supported by robust regional investments, active trade engagements, and the hosting of key summits such as ASEAN and ASEAN-GCC Plus China in 2025, they note. The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone agreement, set for January 2025, is also expected to bolster regional trade and diversification in the near term, they add. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 18, 2024 03:34 ET (08:34 GMT)
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