Malaysia's economy grew 7 percent last year, prime minister Najib Razak said, adding the Asian country could tap global bond markets this year with an Islamic issue.
"The economy has expanded by 8.1 percent in the first nine months of 2010 and is expected to achieve 7 percent growth in 2010," Najib Razak said on Sunday, speaking in the United Arab Emirates' capital. "To maintain growth, it must be private sector-led."
Last week, Malaysia's central bank held rates steady for the third straight time and forecast steady growth, helped by expansion in domestic demand amid more moderate external demand.
Razak also said Malaysia may sell sovereign Islamic bonds, or sukuk, in 2011. Malaysia issued a $1.25 billion, five-year global sukuk last year, its first foray into global debt markets since 2002.
Asked whether Malaysia would issue sovereign debt this year, Razak said: "If it is government (debt), it will be Islamic. We have not yet made a firm decision.