Japan's finance minister trumpeted bright economic news on Friday as figures showed firms were ramping up investment in a possible sign that government stimulus was working.

Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the A1 issuer rating and senior unsecured rating of Petronas and A1 senior unsecured ratings of Petronas Global Sukuk Ltd and Petronas Capital Ltd, with stable outlook.

Maybank president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, who was yesterday announced as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in the new cabinet line-up, wants to help take the Malaysian economy to a higher level of excellence.

Sales of passenger and commercial vehicles in April this year increased to 52,489 units from 47,774 units in April last year, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

Maybank President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar is the right person to support the prime minister's continuity of the economic transformation agenda, says a leading banker.

Japan said Thursday that its economy grew again in the quarter to March, pointing to a recovery as Tokyo and its hand-picked central bank team set about stoking the world's third-largest economy.

Moody's Investors Service announced today it is maintaining its stable outlook for the Malaysian banking system for the next 12 to 18 months.

Malaysia's oil and gas sector is expected to attract between RM10 billion to RM15 billion in acquisitions this year based on market trend and capital expenditure budgets.

Samsung Group, South Korea's No. 1 conglomerate, said Monday it plans to establish a foundation to bolster the country's growth engine in line with the government's push to cultivate economic development.

Bursa Malaysia is likely to trend higher next week on stronger regional sentiment and a strong performance of the ringgit following an influx of foreign funds and an accommodative stance from Bank Negara Malaysia.