UK pay growth cools, keeping BoE on track for another rate cut

LONDON: British pay growth cooled in the three months to July to a more than two-year low and employment shot higher, according to data on Tuesday which is likely to keep the Bank of England on track to cut interest rates again before the end of the year. British average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, were 5.1%...

Govt planning mechanism to manage cost of living, tame inflation, says Rafizi

PUTRAJAYA: The government is planning a mechanism to manage the cost of living and tame the country’s inflation, says Rafizi Ramli. The Economy Minister said the discussion on wages, cost of living and inflation has to be managed carefully. "In the past, some quarters, every time we talk about pushing for higher wages, they will always give...

McDonald’s ups stake, mulls more restaurants

Beijing: Fast-food giant McDonald’s Corp is increasing its minority stake substantially in its business in China to facilitate faster decision-making and exploit growth opportunities in its fastest-growing market. McDonald’s on Monday agreed to raise its stake from 20% to 48%. It will buy additional shares from global investment firm and its strategic partner Carlyle, which operates and...

Sabah tourism on track for strong comeback, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is showing signs of a strong comeback in terms of tourist arrivals after the pandemic with the state recording a hotel occupancy rate average of over 50% for the past six months, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. "Even as we speak, visitor arrivals continue to show strong growth in 2023, with overall visitor...

Malaysia stands by GDP forecast despite World Bank’s estimates, says Ahmad Maslan

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia stands by its forecast for the country's gross domestic product (GDP) at between 4% and 5% in 2023, says Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. "We respect the World Bank's analysis. But we will keep our forecast at around 4% to 5%, as there has been no change in terms of...

M’sia recorded RM132.6bil in approved investments for first half of 2023, says Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR: The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) expects approved investments to record stronger growth in the second half of 2023 (2H2023), on track to hit its annual target, after achieving RM132.6bil worth of approved investments in the first half of 2023 (1H2023). "I am pleased with our achievement in 1H2023, securing RM132.6bil, representing 60.3%...

Empowering the people: PM to launch Budget 2024 theme ‘Madani Economy’ on July 27

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to launch "Madani Economy: Empowering the People", the theme for Budget 2024 which will steer the economy to safeguard the country’s future. The launch will be held at the Securities Commission’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur at 9am on Thursday (July 27). “Wait for it, God willing,” he...