SHAH ALAM (Dec 16): The Malaysian government and central bank are expected to reveal findings of a joint study on the impact of the ringgit's depreciation by mid January 2015, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

Over the last six months, the ringgit had weakened against the US dollar to 3.4875 today, from 3.1415 on Aug 28. The ringgit weakened as falling crude oil prices led to expectations of weaker economic growth and lower government revenue.

Mustapa, however, said the Malaysian economy was still resilient.

"Our fundamentals are strong, but we need to crunch the details," Mustapa told reporters at the opening of the Linde Regional Centre here today.

Mustapa was commenting on the government's recent announcement to conduct a comprehensive study involving his ministry, the Finance Ministry and Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's Department, together with Bank Negara Malaysia.

According to him, "2014 is not an issue", but challenges are seen coming in 2015. These challenges include government expenditure, as Malaysia — a net crude oil exporter — could see lower income from oil exports.

Meanwhile, Linde Malaysia Holdings Bhd managing director Ashley Mills said supplier of industrial gases and welding equipment, planned to have more plants in the region.

Mills said Linde, which managed 55 plants in 10 countries across the region, was targeting to double the number to 110 by 2020.

In Malaysia, Mills said the company had allocated capital expenditure of RM500 million over the next five years. He also said Linde was in talks to set up its next facility within Selangor.

Mills, however, declined to give more details on the Selangor plant.