KUALA LUMPUR: Business sentiment among Japanese companies in Malaysia is forecast to trend positively in the second half of this year, says a survey by the Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry Malaysia (Jactim).

       President Daiji Kojima said that according to the bi-annual survey conducted among 557 Jactim members between Jan 19 and Feb 21, 2022, the business sentiment diffusion index (DI) is projected to expand to 20.5 points, continuing its positive trend from the first half (1H) of this year.

       “The DI for Japanese business sentiment for 1H22 rose sharply by 30 points, turning positive after being in negative territory for eight terms and the highest since 1H18 due to the relaxation of movement control orders, in particular with the reopening of most economic sectors and greater demand in the semiconductor sector,” he told Bernama.