{
  "id": 15580167,
  "title": "Malaysia is back in business, Amir Hamzah tells IMF-World Bank meetings",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/malaysia-is-back-in-business-amir-hamzah-tells-imf-world-bank-meetings",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T08:18:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/10/1558994/malaysia-back-business-amir-hamzah-tells-imf-world-bank-meetings"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's Finance Minister, II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, told the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok that the country is \"back in business.\" He attributed this to political stability, policy clarity, and sustained reforms that have bolstered investor confidence amidst global uncertainty. Over the past two years, Malaysia's GDP grew by 5.2 percent each year, reaching 5.7 percent in the latest quarter, showcasing the resilience of its industries and their role in global supply chains.\n\nAmir Hamzah emphasized that Malaysia is attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), with recent US$1.5 billion global sukuk issuance that was oversubscribed 4.7 times and secured competitive pricing. This success is due to the country's commitment to fiscal discipline and good governance through various reforms, including the Fiscal Responsibility Act and Government Procurement Act. Additionally, Malaysia is embracing artificial intelligence and digitalisation to boost productivity, modernize public services, and create higher-value jobs.\n\nThe Finance Minister highlighted that Malaysia's recent economic progress and reforms have impressed the global community, leading to strong foreign direct investment inflows. He stressed that the ultimate goal is to build a stronger, high-income economy where the benefits of growth are more widely shared among Malaysians, including future generations.",
  "summary": "BANGKOK: Malaysia’s message at the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank Group Annual Meetings here is clear: the country is back in business, backed by political stability, policy clarity and sustained reforms that are strengthening investor confidence amid global uncertainty.",
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysia is \"back in business\" according to Finance Minister Amir Hamzah",
    "GDP grew 5.2% annually for two years, reaching 5.7% in latest quarter",
    "Attracted $1.5B global sukuk issuance, 4.7x oversubscribed"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Malaysia is leveraging political stability and structural reforms to rebuild investor confidence and transition toward a high-income economy driven by digital productivity and increased foreign direct investment.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "Business : Malaysia Is Back In Business, Amir Hamzah Tells IMF-World Bank Meetings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/business-malaysia-is-back-in-business-amir-hamzah-tells-imf-world",
        "published": "2026-10-19T06:22:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "‘Malaysia is back in business’: Amir Hamzah pitches stability, reforms at IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/malaysia-is-back-in-business-amir-hamzah-pitches-stability-reforms-at",
        "published": "2026-10-19T09:49:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}