The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Finance Minister, announced that the national Budget 2018 will be tabled at the Dewan Rakyat on October 27.<\/p>\n
Sessions with different stakeholders will be held to hear their views and suggestions in formulating the budget.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to hear everyone out because we are a Government that is open and puts the people first.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to ensure we present a Budget that meets the need of each segment of the population,\u201d Najib said at the 2018 Budget Consultation session.<\/p>\n
The country\u2019s economy grew beyond the forecast in the first quarter of this year, at 5.6%, he said.<\/p>\n
This is anchored by domestic demand supported by private consumption, which expanded at 6.6% while private investment surged to 12.9%.<\/p>\n
Export performance also achieved new milestone in March, exceeding the RM80 billion mark for the first time, Najib added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, foreign direct investments increased to RM17 billion in the first quarter of 2017, mainly in the services, mining and manufacturing sectors.<\/p>\n
\u201cDue to these strengths, as well as the improving global outlook, our economy is on track to register higher growth of 4.3% to 4.8% this year,\u201d Najib said.<\/p>\n