This growth was sustained with a strengthened balance of payments position. Macroeconomic policies during the year were focused on supporting domestic activities as the main driver of economic growth. Private consumption remained resilient despite the lower export earnings. National savings remained high at about 35% of GNP. Public sector investment increased by 15.5%, while consumption expenditure increased by 11.9%, mitigating the impact of the contraction in domestic private investment. The more diversified economic structure of the Malaysian economy also moderated the impact of the decline in external demand faced by the export-oriented industries. The weaker growth in the export-oriented manufacturing sector which contracted by -10.2% was mitigated by positive growth in all other sectors. Stronger growth in the domestic-oriented industries, which increased by 7.4% compensated for the shortfall from declining external demand. The agriculture and the mining sectors, which expanded by 2.5% and 0.2% respectively, accounted for 15.5% of GDP. Domestic-oriented industries in the manufacturing sector now accounts for more than one-quarter of total output. Domestic content in the services sector is now higher, at about 80%. The construction sector, which has high local content and multiplier effects, also performed better during the year. The pro-growth policies to stimulate domestic activities benefited in particular the services sector which sustained a growth of 4.9% in 2001. The expansion was broad-based, with strong increases recorded for intermediate services, particularly finance and insurance as well as communication sub-sectors. Strong expansion was also recorded in the final services group, particularly government services and utilities sub-sectors.

The significant progress that was achieved in financial sector reform and restructuring in 2001 has enabled BNM to shift its focus from managing banking sector problems to the medium and longer-term issues of developing a more competitive and resilient banking sector. The Financial Sector Masterplan that was launched in March 2001 aims to provide the blueprint for the development of financial sector over the next ten years. To date, 9 out of the 119 recommendations under the FSMP have been fully implemented. In addition, 22 recommendations are being implemented on an on-going basis. Outlook and Prospects for the Malaysian Economy in 2002 As we enter the year 2002, indications are that world trade is expected to recover to about 2.5% in 2002. Growth in the major industrial countries as a group is expected to stabilise at 1.1%, reflecting a stronger growth of 1.4% in the US economy. Malaysia is well positioned to benefit from the emerging recovery in the global economy. Real GDP growth in the Malaysian economy is projected to recover to 3.5% in 2002. The projection is based on stronger growth in private consumption, a modest recovery in private investment, sustained public sector expenditure and moderate growth in exports. Current domestic indicators suggest that the Malaysian economy is in the early stages of recovery. The index of leading indicators has shown positive growth for six consecutive months. Both the decline in exports and manufacturing production have also begun to moderate.