KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Global fertiliser and ammonia trade could be disrupted as the sale of 15 per cent of global ammonia, and 21 per cent of urea -- a high-nitrogen fertiliser -- is tied to West Asian exporters potentially impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Rystad Energy.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia must strengthen the institutions that shape how wages are set between employers and employees to raise incomes and strengthen purchasing power meaningfully.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- The overall credit quality of business borrowings improved in the second half (2H) of 2025 with no notable divergence in trends across segments and sectors as shares of impaired loans and loans with increased credit risk for overall businesses improved to 2.8 per cent and 10.7 per cent, respectively.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's banking system total capital ratio remained strong at 18.1 per cent of total risk-weighted assets in December 2025, compared with 18.2 per cent in June 2025, with excess capital buffers amounting to RM139.3 billion from RM138.9 billion previously, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Headline inflation is expected to remain moderate, averaging between 1.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent in 2026 despite greater global commodity price volatility amid the West Asia conflict, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is focusing on strengthening value-based intermediation (VBI) capabilities including in sustainability and climate agenda in Islamic financial system this year.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Profitability of Malaysia’s insurance and takaful sector declined slightly to RM4.6 billion in the second half of 2025 (2H 2025) from RM4.8 billion in the first half of 2025 (1H 2025), despite improved equity investment performance, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s strong economic fundamentals and ongoing domestic structural reforms are expected to provide support to domestic market sentiment amid the highly uncertain global environment.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Cyber risk remains the foremost concern for financial institutions amid increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, and the operational, financial and reputational implications in 2026, according to the Bank Negara Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has processed 1.7 billion banknotes in 2025, compared with 2.5 billion in 2024, with 86 per cent handled through the automated cash centre (ACC) compared with 69 per cent in the previous year.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is in a position of strength as it faces oil price shocks following the West Asia conflict, supported by robust domestic demand, moderate inflation, a sound financial sector and a resilient external position.
By Harizah Hanim Mohamed and Siti Noor Afera Abu
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) estimates Malaysia’s economy to grow between four per cent and five per cent this year compared with 5.2 per cent registered in 2025, with the country’s domestic resilience and diversified export structure continuing to provide buffer to navigate the current external headwinds mainly from conflict in West Asia.
