10/05/2012 (Bernama) - Based on the latest economic indicators, Malaysia's economy is on a stable foundation and this is expected to continue in the second-half of this year, the Dewan Negara was told Wednesday.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein said between January and February this year, the country's exports rose 7.1 per cent while imports grew 10.2 per cent compared with the same period last year.

"The industrial production index, meanwhile, expanded by 3.8 per cent. In the same period, imports of capital goods recorded a high growth of 32.9 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year.

"In addition, crude palm oil price as at April 25, 2012 was stable at RM3,450 per metric tonne while rubber was at RM10.88 per kilogramme," he said in reply to a question from Senator Tengku Aziz Tunku Ibrahim who asked on the government's level of readiness in facing the Eurozone crisis.

Awang Adek said on the same date the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) was at a higher level at 1,579 points against 1,530 points at end-December last year.