Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to have grown 3% year – on – year in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared with a 4.5% contraction in the prior quarter, Moody’s Analytics said.

It expects continued strength in exports and a revival in private consumption to have supported Malaysia’s final quarter.

“Severe resurgence of COVID – 19 weighed heavily on the economy through much of last year, resulting in consecutive quarters of contraction as households retreated and private investment took a back seat.  The weakness in domestic demand more than offset the gains from a relatively strong trade position over this period. But domestic conditions improved in the final quarter,” it said in its Asia Pacific Economic Preview for the week of February 7 – 11, 2022.

It said higher vaccination rates and the easing of restrictions paved the way for a visible turnaround in retail spending since October 2021.

— Bernama