Malaysia Central Bank to Keep Policy Rate Steady - ANZ

        0614 GMT [Dow Jones] Malaysia's central bank will keep its policy rate unchanged at 3.00% when it meets Thursday and start raising only in the third quarter, ANZ says. Exports will be important for economic growth on the back of improving international demand, firmer commodity prices and increases in petrochemical production, ANZ says. March exports grew 8.5% year over year and imports rose 0.5%. "While March's headline import growth print was lower than expected imports of consumption goods were strong suggesting that household consumption still remains firm despite ongoing fiscal consolidation," ANZ says. (jason.ng@wsj.com)
        (END) Dow Jones Newswires

        May 07, 2014 02:14 ET (06:14 GMT)