KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Malaysia for the first nine months of 2014 slipped to RM24.9 billion from RM26.8 billion in the same period last year.
FDI in this third quarter recorded a lower net inflow of RM7.7 billion compared with RM9.1 billion in the third quarter of 2013, according to the Department of Statistics.
The department in a statement said FDI was primarily in mining, financial and insurance services, and wholesale and retail.
The top three sources were Singapore, Mauritius and Cayman Islands.
Net outflow in direct investment of RM16.9 billion was higher against RM9.4 billion in the corresponding period last year. This was due to higher outflow of direct investment assets by RM8.5 billion compared with RM34.7 billion.
Net outflow of portfolio investment was RM17.5 billion compared with RM2.3 billion in same period last year.
Cumulatively, for the first three quarters of 2014, the financial account recorded a higher net outflow of RM52.1 billion from RM6.1 billion in the corresponding period of 2013.
This was mainly due to turnaround in other investment as well as higher net outflow in direct and portfolio investments.
Net outflow of the capital account in the first nine months of 2014 widened by RM2 million to RM4 million.
Exports of services account increased to RM94.9 billion from RM92.5 billion in the same period of 2013. Likewise, imports of services rose to RM107.6 billion from RM105 billion.
Net, the services account turned in a slightly higher net payment of RM12.7 billion from RM12.6 billion in same period last year. — Bernama
