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.