KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — Malaysia is still a growth centre in the global economy as evidenced by the interest of foreign investors towards it, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

She said the continuous interest was also reflected in the inflow of foreign funds currently taking place. “I believe Asia is a profit centre in the global economy and Malaysia is very much a part of this region. So, we are still a growth centre in the global economy,” she told reporters after handing out BNM’s Kijang Emas Scholarship here today.

MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd in a statement said foreign money was returning to Malaysia at the fastest pace in Southeast Asia this year, with about RM4.4 billion pumped into the nation’s equities. This is after 2015 saw the biggest outflows since the global financial crisis, with inflows for March at the highest since April 2013.

The investment bank said the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI is headed for its best monthly performance in more than three years, as stocks trade near the cheapest, relative to global equities, in almost a decade. However, Zeti said Malaysia needs to continue strengthening its fundamentals to face uncertainties in the global economy. She said among the factors having a significant effect on the country’s economy is the movement in oil prices and direction of policy in the major economies.

“All of these are fundamental factors that have a significant spillover effect on a country like ours. So, our position has to be one that we prepare ourselves, to be able to manage such volatility,” she added.

On the Kijang Emas Scholarship, three recipients were chosen this year by BNM based on outstanding academic achievement in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, as well as participation in co-curricular and sports activities.

To date, 48 students have been awarded the scholarship, with 21 recipients having completed their undergraduate studies. Twelve have returned home and the others are pursuing further specialisation. — Bernama