European Central Bank Leaves Rates Unchanged Amidst Heightened Geopolitical Tensions

FRANKFURT, March 20 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday kept key interest rates unchanged as heightened geopolitical tensions weigh on the outlook of inflation and economy in the euro area, reported Xinhua.

Indonesia To Boost Coal Output As Oil Prices Surge

JAKARTA, March 20 (Bernama) -- Indonesia plans to increase coal production in response to rising global oil prices, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said.

Attack On Qatar's LNG Facility Raises Risk Of Wider Supply Disruptions In Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) — Asia-Pacific economies now face rising risks of physical shortages, not only of energy, following the latest Iranian attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facilities, including oil and gas but also of fertilisers and, by extension, potentially food later in the year.

IMF Warns Prolonged Energy Price Surge Could Lift Inflation

ISTANBUL, March 20 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday that a sustained rise in energy prices stemming from the war in West Asia could push global inflation higher and weigh on economic output.

CPO Futures Close Higher On Energy Gains, Indonesia Biodiesel Expectations

By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Crude palm oil (CPO) futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed higher on Thursday, tracking gains in energy prices and Indonesia’s biodiesel policy expectations.

Ringgit Eases Against Greenback After US Fed Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The ringgit eased against the US dollar at Thursday’s close following the United States Federal Reserve’s (Fed) decision to keep interest rates unchanged, providing support to the greenback.

Malaysia's Trade Rises 9.5 Pct To RM245.2 Bln In February 2026, Says DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s trade grew 9.5 per cent to RM245.2 billion in February 2026 from RM223.9 billion a year earlier, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM) said. 

Oil May Rise On Conflict, Fall To US$80-US$90 If War Ends By Mid-April

By Rosemarie Khoo Mohd Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- Crude oil prices can go even higher than current levels of US$100-US$103 per barrel if the war in West Asia continues affecting passageway in the Strait of Hormuz and supply tightness becomes more acute, Kpler senior crude oil analyst Muyu Xu said today.

Maybank Research Trims Singapore 2026 GDP Growth Forecast To 3.4 Pct

SINGAPORE, March 18 (Bernama) -- Maybank Research Pte Ltd (MRPL) has revised Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to 3.4 per cent in 2026, down from its earlier projection of 3.6 per cent, amid ongoing West Asia conflicts. 

RISDA Main Rubber Buyer Programme Records RM3.79 Mln In Purchases As Of February

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) has successfully purchased and collected a total of 1,197.77 metric tonnes of smallholder rubber, with a cumulative purchase worth RM3.79 million as of February, during the implementation period of the Main Rubber Buyer initiative, which has been active since early January 2026.

Domestic Sectors Hold Resilient Amid Oil Volatility - Maybank IB

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s domestic sectors are expected to remain resilient despite near-term market jitters, Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) said.

Funds May Favour Commodity Exporters Like Malaysia Amid West Asia Uncertainties - Economist

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Heightened geopolitical uncertainty surrounding developments in the Strait of Hormuz could influence global capital flows, with commodity-exporting economies such as Malaysia potentially better positioned amid rising energy prices.