Azman: Banking outlook positive

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the uncertainties in the global economy, the banking sector will continue to perform well next year, said AmBank Group chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim.

However, he said that Asian countries might still be affected slightly by the eurozone and US crises although they had been doing well.

“For Malaysia, we expect a slower growth next year compared with this year, but even then it would still be around 5%,” Azman said yesterday after a media briefing on the Ambang 2012 concert.

He said Malaysia's economy was fundamentally strong and that the country had healthy liquidity.
Celebrating spirit of unity: Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail (2nd from left) shaking hands with Azman. With them are artistes Mizz Nina (left) and Jamal Abdillah.

Azman noted that banks had enough funds to finance loans.

“In fact, according to what the World Bank said some years ago, Malaysia is the top in the world in terms of access to money. This means we are in a good position,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ambang 2012 Kuala Lumpur concert, organised by AmBank Group, will be held at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur on Dec 31.

The concert, held in collaboration with City Hall, TV2 and the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, will feature artistes such as Datuk M. Nasir, Mizz Nina, Jamal Abdillah, Awie, Faizal Tahir and Hujan.

It will be broadcast live on TV2 from 9.15pm to 1am, ending with the New Year celebrations.

Azman said the concept of the concert was to support the spirit of unity among Malaysian citizens irrespective of race and religion.