BNM maintains OPR at 3.0 pct

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 3.0 per cent during its meeting today.

BNM highlighted that global growth for 2024 turned out higher than expected, reflecting better outturns in the major economies and stronger global trade.

"For 2025, the global economy is anticipated to be sustained by positive labour market conditions, moderating inflation and less restrictive monetary policy.

"Global trade is expected to remain broadly sustained, supported by the continued tech upcycle," it said in a statement today.

However, BNM said this outlook could be affected by the uncertainty surrounding more trade and investment restrictions. The elevated policy uncertainties could also lead to greater volatility in the global financial markets.

For the Malaysian economy, the central bank highlighted that the overall growth for 2024 was within expectations.

"Moving forward, the strength in economic activity is expected to be sustained in 2025, driven by resilient domestic expenditure. Employment and wage growth, as well as policy measures, including the upward revision of the minimum wage and civil servant salaries, will support household spending," BNM said.

It further said the robust expansion in investment activity would be sustained by the progress of multi-year projects in both the private and public sectors, the continued high realisation of approved investments, as well as the ongoing implementation of catalytic initiatives under the national master plans.

"These investments, supported by higher capital imports, would raise exports and expand the productive capacity of the economy.

"Exports are expected to be supported by the global tech upcycle, continued growth in non-electrical and electronics goods and higher tourist spending.

"The growth outlook is subject to downside risks from an economic slowdown in major trading partners amid heightened risk of trade and investment restrictions, and lower-than-expected commodity production," said the central bank.

Meanwhile, BNM said growth could potentially be higher from greater spillover from the tech upcycle, more robust tourism activity, and faster implementation of investment projects.

Headline and core inflation averaged 1.8 per cent in 2024.

Going into 2025, it said inflation is expected to remain manageable, amid the easing global cost conditions and the absence of excessive domestic demand pressures.

"Global commodity prices are expected to continue to trend lower, contributing to moderate cost conditions in the near term.

"In this environment, the overall impact of the recently announced domestic policy reforms on inflation is expected to be contained.

"Upside risk to inflation would be dependent on the extent of spillover effects of domestic policy measures, as well as global commodity prices and financial market developments.

"The ringgit's performance continues to be primarily driven by external factors. The narrowing interest rate differentials between Malaysia and the advanced economies is positive for the ringgit," it said.

While financial markets could experience bouts of volatility due to global policy uncertainties, BNM said Malaysia's favourable economic prospects and domestic structural reforms, complemented by ongoing initiatives to encourage flows, would continue to provide enduring support to the ringgit.

"At the current OPR level, the monetary policy stance remains supportive of the economy and is consistent with the current assessment of inflation and growth prospects.

"The MPC remains vigilant to ongoing developments to inform the assessment on the domestic inflation and growth outlook.

"The MPC will ensure that the monetary policy stance remains conducive to sustainable economic growth amid price stability," said BNM.

-- BERNAMA

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