말레이시아 중앙은행(Bank Negara Malaysia)과 말레이시아 통계청(Department of Statistics Malaysia)이 8월 15일 공동 발표한 자료에 따르면, 복잡하고 변동성이 큰 외부 환경에도 불구하고 말레이시아의 국내총생산(GDP)은 올해 2분기에 전년 동기 대비 4.4% 성장했습니다. 이는 강력한 내수와 서비스 및 제조업 부문의 지속적인 성장에 힘입어 1분기와 동일한 수치입니다. 이러한 성장세는 탄탄한 성장세를 이어갔습니다. 통계청의 당초 전망치인 4.5%보다는 다소 낮지만, 시장 예상치인 4.3%보다는 높은 수치입니다. 계절 조정 GDP 성장률은 2분기에 전분기 대비 2.1%로, 1분기 0.7%보다 높습니다. 심각한 세계 경제 불확실성 속에서도 이룬 이러한 성장은 말레이시아 경제의 회복력과 안정성을 보여줍니다. Continue reading
A Chinese-Malaysian Youth Cultural Performance Held in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur: On the evening of August 1st, the 2025 “Belt and Road Vision, Flourishing Belt and Road” China-Malaysia Youth Performance Exhibition was held in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The evening was co-organized by the China Association for Promoting World Ethnic Cultural Exchange, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, the United Nations Center for Sustainable Development Goals and Leadership Development, and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Nearly 100 guests attended the event.
Qiu Li, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Association for Promoting World Ethnic Cultural Exchange, stated in her speech that young people are the torch of civilizational inheritance. This performance serves not only as a platform for cultural exchange but also as a nurturing ground for China-Malaysia friendship. A representative from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia stated that this year marks the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, and expressed hope that through more youth interaction, the friendship between the two countries will blossom in the new era.
US tariff negotiation demands on Malaysia are “unfair” and “unequal”
On the 7th, the Malaysian media “Sin Chew Daily” published an editorial entitled “Adjustment and Breakthrough under the US Tariff Barrier”, saying that the tariff negotiations between Malaysia and the United States are an unequal “trade breakthrough war” and many of the US demands in the negotiations are not fair. Malaysia needs to choose the “battlefield” and “partners” more wisely and strive to turn the crisis into an opportunity. The article excerpt is as follows:
Even if the tariff negotiations between Malaysia and the United States have not reached a deadlock, there has been no turnaround and no new situation. Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul, who led a delegation to the United States for inspection and held online tariff negotiations with the United States on the 6th, told the media that Malaysia will actively explore markets in countries and regions such as Russia, Africa, the Middle East and South America.
Zafrul revealed that the US side proposed requirements in the trade negotiations to solve the trade deficit, ensure the security of US technology, and promote Malaysian companies to invest in the United States. From the details, “these requirements are not fair.”
The trade deficit is not a unilateral problem, but is due to the lack of competitiveness of US products (which want to export to Malaysia). “If we don’t want a trade deficit, we will be forced to import higher-priced products from the United States, but what if people don’t buy them? Should we force them to buy and sell?”
The United States also requires the security of American technology, emphasizing that American technology must not fall into the hands of “unapproved” objects. However, at a time when industrial division of labor is becoming more detailed and refined, the supply chain is widely distributed, and the US requirements will seriously affect production efficiency.
In addition, the United States requires Malaysian companies to invest in the United States in line with the needs of the US industry. The reality is that on the one hand, Malaysian companies have invested a lot in the United States; on the other hand, overseas investment must consider multiple factors such as cost, market and raw materials. “Investing for the sake of investment will eventually suffer serious losses.”
Malaysia must survive and break through the wave of US protectionism, actively adjust its strategy to new markets, create a strategic layout of “removing unilateral dependence and strengthening multilateral balance”, and reduce the risk of excessive export dependence on the United States through a balance of multiple markets.
Bahraini delegation visits Malaysia to promote investment opportunities
Bahrain National reported on May 6: An official Bahrain delegation led by Bahrain’s Minister of Sustainable Development and CEO of the Economic Development Board, His Excellency Noor Al Khalifa, and Minister of Commerce and Industry, His Excellency Abdullah Fakhro, began a two-day visit to Malaysia. The visit, which comes shortly after a high-level visit between the leaders of the two countries, aims to promote economic and trade exchanges and practical cooperation between Bahrain and Malaysia.
During the visit, the delegation will meet with senior officials and representatives of Malaysian government agencies, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, Malaysian Minister of Investment and Trade, Minister of Enterprise and Cooperative Development, and representatives of the Investment Development Authority.
Last year, Bahrain and Malaysia celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two countries continue to strengthen cooperation by signing agreements and memorandums of understanding to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, technology, culture and science.