StanChart cuts Malaysia's GDP forecast to 4.8% for 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Standard Chartered Bank has lowered its gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for Malaysia to 4.8% from 5.3% projected earlier, due to the slower than expected growth in the first half of the year.
Chief economist for Asean and South Asia, Edward Lee said Malaysia is also among the top three countries in Asia most affected by the US-China trade war.
"Last year's high base (in exports), some of the supply disruption, the uncertainty potentially caused by the trade and investment front could mean that second half growth could be lower," he said at the "Global Research Briefing H2 Update" here this morning.
He expects the central bank to keep its overnight policy rate this year while projecting GDP growth to come in at 5% next year.