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.

Malaysia's IPI Expands 4.9 Pct In August 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) expanded by 4.9 per cent year-on-year in August 2025, supported by the relatively stable performance of the mining sector, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

AM Best Affirms Philippines Nat Re's Credit Ratings With Stable Outlook 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of B++ (Good), the long-term issuer credit rating of “bbb” (Good) and the Philippines National Scale Rating of aa+.PH (Superior) of National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines (Nat Re), with a stable outlook.

BMI Maintains Brent Price Forecast At US$68 Per Barrel For 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, has maintained its Brent crude price forecast at an annual average of US$68 per barrel for 2025 and US$67 per barrel for 2026, down from US$80 per barrel in 2024.(US$1 = RM4.21).

Govt Committed To Empowering MSMEs In International Halal Industry

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The government is committed to expanding the Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) recognition, especially to empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the global halal industry and enhance the country’s export value chain, according to the Prime Minister's Department (PMD).

AHB Declares 5.0 Sen Per Unit Income Distribution For FY2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Pelaburan Hartanah Bhd (PHB), together with its fund manager, PHB Asset Management Bhd (PHBAM), today announced a final income distribution of 2.10 sen per unit for Amanah Hartanah Bumiputera (AHB) for the six months ended Sept 30, 2025.

SMEs Must Embrace Emerging Technologies To Strengthen Position In Global Supply Chain- Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must embrace emerging technologies to strengthen their position in the global supply chain, said the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Ringgit Ends Slightly Lower Against US Dollar On Caution Ahead Of Powell Speech

By Siti Noor Afera Abu

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The ringgit closed slightly lower against the greenback on Thursday as the US Dollar Index (DXY) stayed elevated, with investors remaining cautious ahead of a speech by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair amid uncertainty over the federal government shutdown in the United States. 

MTDC, Bioeconomy Corporation Drive Bio-based Innovation Via BioXCeed 2025 Event

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) and Bioeconomy Corporation have jointly organised the BioXCeed 2025 event to integrate bio-based innovation with deeptech commercialisation.

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.

Bursa Malaysia Ends Higher Ahead Of Budget 2026

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher on Thursday as investors were bullish ahead of the Budget 2026 announcement tomorrow, an analyst said.

Wolters Kluwer: AI Adoption Quadruples As Firms Shift To Advisory Growth

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among tax and accounting firms has surged from nine per cent in 2024 to 41 per cent in 2025, according to the Future Ready Accountant report by Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting.