MALAYSIA ECONOMY IS STRONG

The Malaysian economy growth for 2007 was 6.3 percent against 5.9 percent growth in 2006.

Prime Minister Badawi said, "Our strong growth reflects people's confidence in our economy. We want to continue to be a government that is pro-business and we will continue to enhance the efficiency of public services to reduce the cost of doing business. Malaysians work hard to make our economy grow stronger, bigger and better. And their government is working hard alongside them to deliver greater prosperity for all."

He said:

* Malaysia's national wealth is up, with GDP growing by 18% since 2004

* International trade is up, with growth of 26%

* Household incomes are up, by 11%;

* The number of jobs in the economy is up, by over a million;

* The budget deficit is down, from 5% of GDP in 2003 to 3.2% in

2007.