Malaysia To Sustain Growth At 4-4.5 Pct Next Year Driven By Higher Demand For Semiconductors, AI Applications – MoF

By Mikhail Raj Abdullah, Kisho Kumari Sucedaram and Norsyafawati Ab Wahab

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) – Higher exports of semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) edge applications will be among a slew of factors sustaining Malaysia’s economic growth next year at a commendable rate of between 4.0 and 4.5 per cent – against 4.0 to 4.8 per cent this year – despite acute trade challenges, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) said today.

Indonesia’s Non-Life Insurance Outlook Remains Stable - AM Best

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has maintained its outlook on Indonesia’s non-life insurance segment at stable, citing resilient growth prospects, ongoing regulatory refinements and robust investment returns.

Motor, Fire Segments Fuel Growth In Malaysia’s General Insurance Industry - PIAM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s general insurance industry grew 4.0 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2025 (1H 2025), with gross written premiums (GWP) rising to RM12.3 billion from RM11.8 billion, driven mainly by the motor and fire segments, according to the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM).

US Chip Tariffs On Malaysia Could Hit America, Global Supply

By Anas Abu Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The United States (US) must tread carefully before imposing blanket tariffs on Malaysia’s semiconductor exports, which could disrupt global chip supply and hit American industries, the US-ASEAN Business Council said.

Global Water Tariff Growth Slows To 6.2 Pct, Driven By Investment - GWI Survey

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Global water tariffs rose by an average of 6.2 per cent between 2024 and 2025, according to the Global Water Intelligence (GWI) annual Tariff Survey released recently, a cooling off from the steep, inflation-fuelled increases of the post-pandemic years.

Economists See No Major Tax Changes In Budget 2026; Expect Wider CGT Scope

By Niam Seet Wei

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Economists believe that Budget 2026 would not introduce any major changes in the taxation system -- especially individual and corporate taxes -- to preserve consumer and investor confidence as the United States tariffs kick in.

US Tariffs Likely To Drive Volatility On Bursa Malaysia Next Week

By Zufazlin Baharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia is expected to see volatile trading next week amid uncertainty over United States (US) tariff measures, though continued institutional buying should support a positive bias.

ASEAN Remains Gallant And United, Deepens Economic Integration

By Kisho Kumari Sucedaram

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) – Southeast Asian economies have sent a clear message that their markets are open for business, despite being confronted by tough protectionist measures and tariffs that threaten free trade and stoke immense global uncertainty.

Ringgit Ends Lower Against US Dollar, Higher Against Other Major Currencies

By Abdul Hamid A Rahman

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- The ringgit ended weaker against the greenback on Friday as the US interest rate outlook remained cloudy and as US President Donald Trump ramped up his trade war with the world via more tariff announcements.

Bursa Malaysia Ends Week Strongly On Bargain Hunting, Goes Past 1600 Points

By Zufazlin Baharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded from lacklustre trading in previous sessions and ended the week on a strong footing as investors chased bargains, bucking the regional downtrend.                               

US To Weigh Tariff Exemptions on Palm Oil, Auto And Aerospace Parts

By Nor Baizura Basri dan Nur Athirah Mohd Shaharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) --  The United States has agreed to consider granting tariff exemptions - specifically zero tariff rates - on several commodity products not produced in the US, including palm oil and cocoa, which are expected to be finalised next month.

ASEAN-Canada FTA Talks Set To Conclude Next Year, Poised To Boost Trade And Investment

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Ongoing negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA), set to be finalised by next year, are expected to strengthen business and investment relations, supporting both sides’ goals of economic growth and trade diversification.