{
  "id": 634599,
  "title": "Malaysia Q2 growth likely accelerated to 5.8% on exports, resilient demand",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/malaysia-q2-growth-likely-accelerated-to-5-8-on-exports-resilient",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-12T05:30:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/malaysia-q2-growth-likely-accelerated-to-58-on-exports-resilient-demand-4853674"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's economy likely grew at a faster pace in the second quarter, driven by robust exports and steady domestic demand, according to a Reuters survey of 21 economists. The country's GDP growth is expected to have been 5.8% year-on-year in the April-June period, up from 5.4% in the previous quarter, matching a preliminary estimate from July. Forecasts varied between 5.7% and 6.0%. Official GDP figures will be released on Friday. Exports surged 45.4% in June, marking the fastest growth since August 2022, while Malaysia recorded a trade surplus of 14.9 billion ringgit ($3.65 billion). The data center market in Southeast Asia has seen a rapid expansion, with a surge in demand for semiconductors, data-processing equipment, and AI-related products, particularly from U.S. and European tech firms seeking to diversify manufacturing away from China, said Qi Hang Tay, an economist at Economist Intelligence Unit. Strong domestic demand has also been maintained, bolstered by job security, fiscal measures, and household spending. Malaysia's economy is projected to expand 4%-5% this year, despite the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to the central bank governor's recent comments, aligning closely with a 4.5% forecast from a separate Reuters survey conducted last month. Employment conditions remain favorable, with fiscal consumption measures aiding lower-income groups, and credit card spending in Malaysia remains resilient. Electronics exports are expected to continue supporting the economy, with AI-related demand showing no signs of a near-term slowdown, unless there is a significant tech market sell-off or a shift in AI sentiment. The Bank Negara Malaysia has maintained its benchmark interest rate at 2.75% since July 2025 and is expected to keep it unchanged through the end of 2027.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysia's Q2 GDP growth likely accelerated to 5.8% YoY in April-June period.",
    "Exports surged 45.4% in June, fastest growth since August 2022.",
    "Strong domestic demand bolstered by job security and fiscal measures."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Accelerating growth driven by robust exports and resilient domestic demand suggests Malaysia's economy is gaining momentum, with steady employment and fiscal support underpinning a projected 4%-5% expansion for the year.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}