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Malaysia's economy contracts 6.2% for Q1

Slightly worsen than the earlier prediction.

However, turnaround seen in second half of year. KUALA LUMPUR: The economy’s contraction of 6.2% in the first quarter is worse than expected, with the central bank warning of more of the same in the second quarter, although a turnaround in the economy is seen in the second half of the year.

A poll conducted by StarBiz in late April saw economists expecting at least a 3.5% contraction in the first quarter. The worse-than-expected numbers were in line with countries in the region where Taiwan had reported a contraction of 10.24% and Singapore a contraction of 11.5%. “Q2 will be similar to Q1,” Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said, adding that the external outlook was still uncertain and exports remained weak.

Source: The Star

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