Asean growth outlook stays resilient at 4.7pct in 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean's economic outlook for 2025 remains resilient, with growth projected at 4.7 per cent and inflation expected to hover around three per cent, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
He said the forecasted growth remains high compared to the global average, driven by strong exports and public spending in major Asean economies.
"Last year, the gross domestic product growth was 4.8 per cent, higher than the global average, supported by exports and public sector capital spending in key economies," he said at a press conference today following the 25th Asean Economic Community Council Meeting.
However, Tengku Zafrul cautioned that the outlook faces downside risks due to ongoing global uncertainties, citing revised projections by the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation.
While no new targets for intra-Asean trade have been set, he expressed optimism that meaningful progress on the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement and the Digital Economy Framework Agreement would significantly boost regional trade.
Meanwhile, the ministry's Deputy Secretary-General (Trade) and Chief US Tariff Negotiator, Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, said issues concerning goods in transit would be addressed by the coordinating committee under the upgraded agreement.
She said Asean maintains a shared discipline to avoid implementing measures that could lead to non-tariff barriers among member states.
Mastura was responding to questions regarding market protection by some Asean countries, particularly Thailand, in relation to goods in transit.
"Matters such as implementation and transit restrictions will be discussed technically through existing agreement channels, including dedicated committees," she said.
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