Zeti reappointed KL's central bank chief

Zeti reappointed KL's central bank chief

Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur

Zeti Akhtar Aziz has been reappointed as Malaysia's central bank
governor for another three year term, a report said on Sunday.

Jamaluddin Jarjis, second finance minister told the Sunday
Star newspaper that the government had recommended Zeti's re-
appointment and King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin had approved it.

"The King was pleased with Zeti's work in leading Bank Negara
which has brought economic growth," Jamaluddin was quoted as
saying.

Zeti was first appointed on May 1, 2000.

Malaysia has slashed its economic growth forecast for this
year to 4.5 percent from 6.0-6.5 percent. Malaysia recorded 4.2
percent growth recorded last year.

The central Bank Negara Malaysia, in its 2002 annual report,
warned gross domestic product growth could slide even lower if
global economic uncertainties persist.

The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) last month
cut its 2003 economic growth forecast for Malaysia following the
outbreak of SARS to 3.7 percent from an earlier projection of 5.7
percent.

SARS has had an adverse impact on tourism, an industry which
has helped boost the country's economy in the past few years.
Tourism is Malaysia's second largest foreign exchange earner
after manufacturing.