Malaysia: Why is the Malaysian Ringgit at a near 30-year low?

A year ago, the drop in the value of the Malaysian Ringgit was attributed to “external factors,” some looked forward to the opportunities, including the hope that the tourism sector would boost economic recovery and contribute to increased exports and the recovery of foreign direct investments. However, 12 months later, the currency is depreciating once more; what are the real fundamentals that are causing this decline, and can it be attributed solely to external factors or other factors closer to home?

You are invited to a special session with visiting macro-economist and former AMCHAM member Dr. Don Hanna on the topic of Malaysia: Why is the Malaysian Ringgit at a near 30-year low? Join us at the AMCHAM Executive Office on Friday, 16 June 2023, from 2:30 – 4:00 PM.

Don currently teaches macroeconomics to undergraduate and MBA students at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, where he has also designed and teaches a course on assessing country risk.

Before returning to the U.S., Don was the group chief economist at CIMB Group Holdings Berhad based in Hong Kong and then Kuala Lumpur. He has a background as a macroeconomic & market analyst with extensive experience advising financial institutions, corporations, and investors on events and outlooks in advanced and emerging markets, particularly in Asia. Additionally, he has experience in buy-side and sell-side financial institutions, international agencies, and academia.