The Malaysian economy is expected to grow sharply in the second quarter from a low base in the same period a year ago, but COVID-19 lockdowns will hamper growth, according to economists polled by Reuters. The economy is seen growing 14.3% year-on-year between April and June, according to the median estimate of a Reuters poll of 20 economists. Gross domestic product shrank 17.0% a year earlier, the worst contraction in over two decades, as Malaysia introduced its first set of lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19. The economy recovered to a certain degree early 2021, but recent restrictions due to a resurgence in coronavirus infections have impeded growth. The country's GDP likely shrank from the first quarter due to the renewed curbs that started in June, said Mr Chua Han Teng, an economist at DBS Group Research. Malaysia's economy contracted 0.5 % in the January to March period.

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