Asia Economics Update Indonesia: rates to remain low for some time to come Bank Indonesia (BI) left interest rates unchanged at 3.5% today and signalled that it was in no rush to adjust its monetary policy settings again this year. We expect interest rates to remain low to... 25th May 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan: capacity constraints and global chip supply Taiwan’s economy is being buffeted by several apparently unconnected shocks – a drought, power outages and an outbreak of COVID-19. But they are all linked to severe capacity shortages resulting from... 21st May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Learning to live with lockdowns Social distancing and the imposition of new restrictions in response to a surge in infections are weighing on economic activity across the region. But with manufacturing and construction sites... 20th May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan: outbreak to weigh on consumption The first major outbreak of COVID-19 in Taiwan has triggered the first significant restrictions on activity. Consumer spending will suffer, but the rest of the economy should still perform strongly. 17th May 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: rate cuts likely in H2 The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left its main policy rate on hold at 2.00% today, and while a temporary rise in inflation means interest rates are set to remain unchanged for the next few... 12th May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank Negara Malaysia set to remain on hold The fact that Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) left its policy rate on hold at 1.75% today despite the worsening economic outlook means any further loosening is unlikely. But with the recovery set to be... 6th May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand to leave rates at 0.5% for some time to come The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left interest rates on hold at 0.5% today and sounded very downbeat on the prospects for the recovery. The poor outlook for the economy means rates are likely to remain... 5th May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update No room for further rate cuts in Indonesia Bank Indonesia (BI) left interest rates unchanged at 3.5% today, and despite the downbeat outlook for the economy we see little room for further rate cuts this year. 20th April 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan under pressure over currency practices The US Treasury today held off from labelling Taiwan and Vietnam currency manipulators in its semi-annual report, despite them both meeting all three criteria officially laid down by the Treasury... 16th April 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea unlikely to alter policy this year The Bank of Korea (BoK) left its main policy rate on hold at 0.50% today and given that the recovery still has some way to go, the BoK is likely to leave policy accommodative for the rest of 2021. 15th April 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Singapore: monetary policy to remain on hold in 2021 The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) left policy on hold today as advanced Q1 GDP data showed the economy rebounded further. While GDP is set to continue recovering at a decent pace, a persistent... 14th April 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update What to expect from Vietnam’s new leadership The unveiling of Vietnam’s new leadership team earlier this week contained no new surprises, and we are not expecting any significant changes in policy direction. The economy is well-placed to meet... 6th April 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Korea: time to worry about rising property prices? Rapidly rising property prices have become a big political issue in Korea, but they don’t pose a significant threat to the economy. 6th April 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Asian central banks in no rush to raise interest rates Unlike in some emerging markets, central banks across Emerging Asia are in no rush to tighten monetary policy. External factors won’t compel policymakers to tighten, and with inflationary pressures... 30th March 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: BSP to resume easing cycle later in the year The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left its main policy rate on hold at 2.00% today, and while a temporary rise in inflation means interest rates are set to remain on hold for the next few... 25th March 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: rates to remain at 0.5% for foreseeable future The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left interest rates on hold at 0.5% today and made clear in its accompanying statement that rates will stay low for the foreseeable future. We think the that the policy rate... 24th March 2021 · 3 mins read
