KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian economy is projected to grow between 4.0% and 5.0% in 2024, underpinned by continued expansion in domestic demand and improvement in external demand, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
In its Economic and Monetary Review 2023 report, the central bank said growth would be driven by resilient domestic expenditure, with additional support from the expected recovery in exports.
“Tourism is expected to improve further, while the implementation of new and ongoing multi-year projects by both the private and public sectors would support investment activity.
“Nevertheless, domestic growth remains subject to downside risks from both external and domestic factors,” it said.
BNM expects the expansion in the economy will lead to a higher surplus in the current account of the balance of payments of between 1.8% and 2.8% of gross domestic product in 2024 – an improvement from 1.2% of GDP in 2023.
Last year, Malaysia’s GDP recorded a moderate growth of 3.7% on the back of continued recovery in economic activity and labour market conditions, despite the challenging external environment.
Domestic demand remains key driver
BNM expects domestic demand to remain the key driver of growth in 2024, with household spending projected to expand at a faster pace of 5.7% compared with 4.7% in 2023, supported by improving labour market conditions amid higher income growth and targeted government assistance.
“These will partly cushion the impact of higher cost of living, the implementation of low-value goods tax, and increase in service tax on household spending,” it said.
Private consumption is projected to grow by 5.7% in 2024 vis-a-vis 4.7% in 2023 underpinned by the continued improvement in labour market conditions, said BNM.
Whilst the unemployment rate is projected to decline to 3.3%, the employment growth is expected to continue expanding, supported by sustained demand for workers, it said.
Headline inflation is expected to remain moderate, between 2.0% and 3.5% this year, amid contained cost pressures from easing global supply conditions.
Expansion in most economic sectors
Most economic sectors are projected to grow in 2024, with the services and manufacturing sectors to be the key drivers to overall growth.
BNM expects the services sector to grow by 5.5% this year from 5.3% in 2023, driven mainly by improvement in the business-related subsectors.
“The recovery in external demand and ongoing implementation of private and public construction projects will support the real estate and business services as well as the transport and storage subsectors.
“Further roll-out of 5G network coverage and its increased subscriptions will drive growth in the information and communication subsector,” it said.
BNM said the manufacturing sector was expected to expand by 3.5% in 2024 from 0.7% in 2023, supported by the recovery in the export-oriented industries and sustained growth in the domestic-oriented cluster.
Construction is expected to grow by 6.7% this year, mining and quarrying (3.5%), while agriculture to record a contraction of -0.5% as dry weather conditions associated with the El Nino and the effects of previous years’ under-fertilisation would lead to lower oil palm production.
Vibrant investment landscape
BNM expects private investment to improve to 6.1% this year against 4.6% last year, lifted by further progress in the implementation of multi-year projects, as well as ongoing efforts in automation and digitalisation amid continued capacity expansions.
Continued public investments in large-scale transport and digital infrastructure projects will also support growth this year, in addition to ongoing reform efforts by the government to enhance the investment ecosystem and the implementation of initiatives under the strategic master plans.
“Catalytic projects and focus areas under the major national master plans such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) are expected to lend some support to investment activity.
“These include infrastructure projects, as well as investment in industries such as electrical and electronics (E&E), chemical, pharmaceutical, advanced materials, renewable energy and electric vehicles,” it said.
For the third consecutive year, public investment is projected to expand by 6.2% in 2024 – above its pre-Covid-19 average growth of -0.2%.
BNM believed this to be driven by both the government and public corporations. Public investment includes the ongoing large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the East Coast Rail Link, Pan Borneo Highway and Rapid Transit System Link, it added.
Improved trade activity
Malaysia’s gross exports are expected to turn around, recording a growth of 5.0% in 2024 versus a contraction of 8.0% in 2023.
This rebound is underpinned by the recovery in global trade and the technology upcycle, supporting E&E and non-E&E exports, as well as higher commodity prices underpinning commodity exports, said BNM.
Manufactured exports, which account for 85% of Malaysia’s total exports, are projected to grow by 4.7% in 2024, while commodities exports are projected to grow by 6.5% amid higher crude palm oil prices, it said.
“The export projections are subject to downside risks. These stem mainly from slower-than-expected economic activities among key trading partners, unexpected domestic disruptions for commodity production and further escalation of geopolitical conflict.
“However, stronger-than-expected spillover from the global tech upcycle could provide an additional lift to Malaysia’s exports,” it said.
Gross imports are projected to grow by 5.4% in 2024 versus a decline of 6.4% last year in tandem with higher exports and improving domestic demand. – March 20, 2024