Rating agency, RAM released its Economic Update 2023 whereby the house expects Malaysia’s economic momentum in 2H 2023 to remain challenged by soft global demand and other headwinds. RAM projects GDP growth in 2023 to slow to 4.0%-5.0% from 8.7% in 2022.
Overall GDP growth decelerated to 4.2% y-o-y in 1H 2023 (2H 2022: 10.4%) as global trade slowed and the semiconductor downcycle bit into exports. Exports declined 6.4% y-o-y in volume terms in 1H. Base effects knocked the figures down further. Domestic demand, the key driver of economic growth, was also softer at 4.5% in 1H 2023 compared to 9.9% in the second half of last year, as spending behaviour normalised.
The weakening momentum seen in 2Q 2023 is likely to persist through the rest of the year as external headwinds loom large. A spike in global food and commodity prices due to supply distortion by geopolitics and/or tariffs is a key downside risk that could inflate domestic prices and put a brake on local consumption demand. Lacklustre global demand, aggravated in particular by China’s property crisis, could crimp Malaysia’s export growth.
Nevertheless, RAM said there are bright spots on the horizon that could see the country eke out growth of 4.5% to 5.5% in 2024. The labour market continues to stay robust, powering domestic demand. Recent data also indicates tentative signs of the current electrical and electronic (E&E) downturn bottoming out, potentially lifting exports next year. The resolution of labour shortage issues could provide additional impetus to growth of laggard sectors like agriculture and construction. Bets are now increasingly on a soft landing for the US economy, leading to possibly a less severe global slowdown.
