KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): Over two-thirds of accountants and financial professionals in a survey are expecting government policies that address economic issues and combat corruption in the country to have a positive impact on Malaysia's business performance this year.

The survey, which had 399 participants, was jointly commissioned by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), and the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).

The two-thirds of respondents believe that business performance will potentially improve with more business-friendly policies and ethnical business conduct across the market.

They also marked sustainable economic growth, a weak ringgit (vis-a-vis exports) and buoyant consumer spending as the main positive drivers for Malaysian businesses this year.

The findings of the survey was revealed in the business and economic outlook 2019 report that both MIA and ACCA launched today to provide insights from the collective view of accountants and finance professionals in the country.

"This survey is the first of its kind that focuses on the perspectives of leading accountants or finance professionals on the economic landscape and critical factors impacting busienss performance in Malaysia. Our survey respondents comprise key advisers and decision-makers," said MIA president Salihin Abang at the report's launch.

The survey was conducted online between Nov 23 and Dec 9, 2018. More than 78% of the respondents hailed from the corporate and public practice sectors. Nearly 50% of respondents were from firms with over 300 employees -- both listed and non-listed -- and both top and middle management well represented, according to MIA and ACCA.