RAM EXPECTS ECONOMY TO EXPAND 7.4 PER CENT THIS YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- RAM Holdings Bhd, provider of credit rating
services in the Malaysian bond market, expects the economy to expand by 7.4 per
cent this year albeit a moderate momentum in the second half of this year.

It said Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow at 5.6 per
cent slower pace in the second half of 2010, on account of moderating external
demand, fading low-base effects and easing restocking activities.

The projected second half growth was broadly in line with the country's
potential output, it said in a statement.

For the second quarter of this year, RAM said Malaysia has recorded a
stronger-than-projected 8.9 per cent GDP growth.

It said Malaysia's inflation rate reflected rising consumer confidence and
recovering global demand following worldwide financial turbulence.

The year-on-year increase in the domestic inflation rate to 1.9 per cent in July
(coinciding with the commencement of the Malaysian government's subsidy
rationalisation programme) is mainly attributable to the food and transport
components.

"All things considered, we have maintained our estimated inflation rate of 2.5
per cent for 2010," it said.

RAM also projected exports to expand by 12.9 per cent, with imports at 18.3 per
cent, backed by a pick-up in industrial and investment activities.

It said the export growth was attributable to sustained demand from newly
industrialised economies and China.

"This trend is expected to continue as Asian economies still power much of the
current global growth momentum, the crisis-hit economies are expected to
continue experiencing lethargic recovery," it said.

Meanwhile, private consumption is expected to maintain its upbeat momentum, with
a 7.7 per cent growth for the year, slightly higher than the public sector
component, with growth anticipated to touch 6.4 per cent.

Given the robust showing in the first half of the year, investor confidence is
seen to have strengthened, while lingering uncertainty over the direction of
economic performance seems to have dissipated somewhat.

It said this will sustain vigorous investment activities in the second half,
with an overall 9.9 per cent expansion for 2010.
-- BERNAMA