Ripe with opportunities despite global challenges

摘要

Backed by its strong growth rate, Malaysia is proving to be a rising economic star in Southeast Asia.The Malaysian pulp and paper sector is busy with projects lined up left and right. The country's economy is gaining momentum and is anticipated to strengthen further to 5 to 6 percent this year - which has been revised down from previous estimates of up to 6.8 percent due to external factors, including but not limited to the US financial crisis. "In 2008, the external environment is expected to deteriorate with the continued unfolding of the financial crisis that has erupted in the United States," said Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz in her foreword to the central bank's annual report released on March 26, 2008.