KL growth exceeds expectations

KL growth exceeds expectations

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's second-quarter economic growth has
exceeded government expectations, central bank Governor Zeti
Akhtar Aziz said Monday. She did not reveal figures, however.

"It's better than expected, and the underlying trend is
intact," Zeti told reporters, referring to Malaysia's strong
economic fundamentals.

During the first quarter of this year, Malaysia's gross
domestic product rose 4 percent on-year, following growth of 4.1
percent for the whole of 2002.

Economists expect second-quarter growth in 2003 to be weaker
due to the impact of the war in Iraq and the outbreak of severe
acute respiratory syndrome in the region.

For the full year, Bank Negara Malaysia has forecast economic
growth of 4.5 percent. -- AFP