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World Bank ‘extremely concerned’ over economic fallout of Iran conflict, warning of inflation, jobs and food security risks
WASHINGTON, April 2 — The World Bank is “extremely concerned” about the effect the war on Iran will have on inflation, jobs and food security, and is in talks with member states on how to address immediate needs in the
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Global factory costs surge as Iran war disrupts supply chains
LONDON, April 1 — Factories across the world faced soaring input costs and supply chain disruptions in March due to the Iran war as underlying tepid demand threatened to undermine the manufacturing sector’s fragile recovery, surveys showed. The conflict has
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Aussie retailer Cotton On denies exiting Asia, confirms Malaysia and Singapore stores unaffected by holding company liquidation
KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — Australian fashion and lifestyle retailer Cotton On has dismissed reports that it is exiting Asia, clarifying that the liquidation of one of its entities, Cotton On Asia Pte Ltd, has no impact on its retail
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OpenAI raises US$122b, company now worth US$852b
SAN FRANCISCO, April 1 — OpenAI yesterday said that the startup was valued at US$852 billion (about RM3.44 trillion) in a freshly closed funding round that raised US$122 billion (about RM493 billion). The eye-watering level of funding came in higher
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Bursa Malaysia edges up on potential de-escalation of Middle East conflict
KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — Bursa Malaysia opened higher today, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, as investor sentiment improved on expectations that the West Asia conflict may ease soon. At 9.23am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) increased
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Malaysia’s manufacturing sector rebounds in March, but war-driven inflation hits 45-month high
KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — Malaysia’s manufacturing sector returned to growth in March for the first time in two months, but this positive development was overshadowed by severe inflationary pressures and weakening business confidence directly linked to the war in
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Ringgit opens higher as hopes of US exit from Iran lifts sentiment
KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar today as global sentiment improved on hopes that the US may be leaving Iran in a matter of weeks. At 8am, the local currency climbed to 4.0200/0400
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BNM: Malaysia’s economic fundamentals seen supporting market sentiment amid global uncertainties
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — 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. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), in its Financial Stability Review for the
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Malaysia’s banking system remains resilient under stress scenarios, says BNM
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — Malaysia’s banking system is expected to remain resilient even under severe macroeconomic stress scenarios, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). In its Financial Stability Review for the second half of 2025 (2H 2025), released today, the
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Malaysia invites Japanese investors to climb semiconductor value chain, says deputy minister
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — Malaysia has called on Japanese investors to deepen its integration into the country’s semiconductor ecosystem and move beyond assembly into higher-value segments such as integrated circuit design, advanced packaging, research and development, green sectors and
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