KUALA LUMPUR: The operating conditions in the manufacturing sector in Malaysia saw an improvement last month in line with a modest increase in the purchasing manager index (PMI) across Asean in July.
In Malaysia, the PMI rose to 50.6 last month, up from 50.4 in June, the highest in three months, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence in its Global Asean Manufacturing PMI report.
It said output volumes recorded a gain for the first time in seven months amid a strong rise in new orders since April.
But while business conditions are improving, they remain tough, with some businesses still struggling with falling export demand, persistent supply constraints and rising prices, S&P Global Markets chief business economist Chris Williamson said.
“The latest reading signals that industrial production is now increasing gradually after staying broadly stagnant throughout the first half of 2022. This is an encouraging start to economic growth in the third quarter,” he said.
However, Williamson said that with recession risks intensified in the US and Europe that could severely limit an export-derived growth, conditions will remain uncertain.
Regionally, the headline PMI in Asean improved slightly to 52.2 in July from 52 in June amid stronger expansion in output and new orders.
Singapore led the PMI rankings table in July at 60, followed by Thailand (52.4), Vietnam (51.2), the Philippines (50.8) and Myanmar (46.5).
Economist Maryam Baluch said the latest PMI data indicated further growth in the Asean manufacturing sector as improved demand conditions and easing pandemic restrictions boosted production and sales volumes.
She noted that price pressures remain persistently high, ergo central banks around the region are likely to implement tighter monetary policies.
“This could potentially have a negative impact on growth momentum and demand in the coming months, which continues to find its bearing as the Covid-19 shocks subside,” she added.
Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/local-business/2022/08/01/modest-improvement-for-manufacturing-sector-in-malaysia/