SERVICES SECTOR MAIN ENGINE OF GROWTH NEXT YEAR, SAYS MALAYSIAN PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The services sector, slated to grow by
3.6 per cent, is expected to be the main driver of growth next year, Malaysian
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Monday.

For Malaysia to attain developed economy status by 2020, it must be service
sector-driven economy, said Najib who is also Finance Minister.

"While a strong and vibrant manufacturing sector remain important for the
country, we expect more contributions for growth to come from the services
sector," he said when launching the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council.

The Prime Minister said although the country had enjoyed growth driven by
exports from the manufacturing sector, competition in the traditional areas of
strength was getting more intense and it was inevitable to meet the challenges
and changes ahead.

-- BERNAMA