MALAYSIA

Economy Grew 9.9% in 1st Quarter: The economy, as measured by gross domestic product, grew 8.7% in 1994, and the central bank previously forecast growth this year at 8.9%. The robust growth came on the back of 15.2% growth in manufacturing and 14.5% growth in construction. Services and agriculture grew a more moderate 8.3% and 7.7%, respectively. Consumer prices rose 3.2% in the first quarter, a lower inflation rate than the 3.8% recorded for the fourth quarter of 1994. Analysts said the rapid growth may lead the government to try to slow consumption.