THE majority of the Chinese business community have expressed optimism in the country's economic outlook for the next 2 to 3 years, although they do not see much cheer in the 1st half of this year, Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) secretary-general Tan Sri Soong Siew Hoong said yesterday in announcing the report on the ACCCIM's survey on Malaysia's economic situation for the second half of 2002.
The respondents of the survey were mainly from the manufacturing, wholesale and retail, professional and business services and construction sectors. About 73% were small- and medium-scale industries, 69% of them involved in domestic-oriented businesses.
The Asian Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the entry of China into the global arena had also brought challenges to the respondents.
