KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Economists have raised Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts after the country achieved a stronger growth of 5.2 percent in the third quarter.
MBSB Research said in a note that it has revised Malaysia's GDP growth forecast for 2025 higher to 4.6 percent from 4.3 percent, taking into account a strong growth in the third quarter and less significant impacts of tighter U.S. trade rules on external trade and production activities.
Going into 2026, it expected resilience in domestic demand to continue, driving Malaysia's economic growth, backed by a healthy labor market and stable inflation.
Meanwhile, RHB Investment Bank raised 2025 GDP growth forecast for Malaysia to 4.7 percent from 4.2 percent.
RHB said its revision was due to several factors, stronger-than-expected mining sector output, robust manufacturing sector performance and higher net exports.
CIMB said that it has now expected Malaysia's GDP growth at 4.5 percent in 2025 before moderating to 4.1 percent in 2026.
The Malaysian central bank said recently that Malaysia recorded strong growth of 5.2 percent in the third quarter, compared with 4.4 percent in the second quarter, driven by sustained domestic demand and higher net exports. ■