KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) — Malaysia has the potential to achieve an economic growth of between 5.5 and six per cent as targeted for this year, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. He said this was based on positive economic performance in the previous quarter as well as the prevailing economic stability. “Even though the gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter was less encouraging, the growth was still within the budget forecast. “We have anticipated that there would be a slight drop (in the third quarter this year) from 6.5 per cent in the second quarter as it was linked to the prevailing world economic conditions, but was still within the forecast. “Looking at the performance in the fourth quarter, we (the government) believe the forecast could be achieved. “This is based on investment, export and foreign trade performance that would enable Malaysia to be ahead of many countries,” Mustapa told...

KOTA BAHARU, Dec 14 (Bernama) — The government is conducting a comprehensive study on the ringgit’s depreciation, says International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. He said the study was jointly undertaken by his ministry, Bank Negara Malaysia, Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department to ascertain the impact of the falling ringgit on the economy. “We have experts in the government, Bank Negara Malaysia, MOF and EPU who are carrying out studies to determine if the depreciating ringgit is good or bad and if it has a positive effect on the economy,” he told reporters after presenting prizes and BMW cars to winners of a contest organised by Bank Islam Malaysia here, Sunday. Mustapa said as a trading nation, the depreciation of the ringgit would definitely have an effect and it was necessary for the study to determine its impact on imports, exports, inflation, manpower and others. “Ups and down in...

DAVOS (Switzerland), Jan 21 (Bernama) — The opposition claim that the Malaysian economy is in crisis is absurd and irresponsible, says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. He said the baseless accusation made by the opposition, which compared the country’s current economic situation to the likes of the 1997/1998 economic financial crisis, was not based on facts and indepth research. “In actual fact, in matters concerning core issues such as the nation’s economy, racial ties and religion, we must think as one. “In this aspect, it is clear that the opposition is attempting to shake the confidence of people and the international community of Malaysia’s economic prospects. “This is an irresponsible action,” he told Malaysian reporters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum which began here on Tuesday. Describing the current economic situation as challenging, Mustapa said the situation today was far different from what occurred...

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) — The six per cent growth rate to the gross domestic product (GDP) recorded by the Malaysian economy last year is still encouraging despite the uncertain world economy. International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the number was still positive and remained the highest compared with other Asean members. “With this growth, I am confident that Malaysia will continue to progress to be a high-income nation by 2020,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme here today. Today, Bank Negara Malaysia reported GDP growth of six per cent for 2014 compared with 4.7 per cent a year ago. As for the fourth quarter, the central bank reported a higher growth of 5.8 per cent versus 5.6 per cent in the third quarter.