Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea in no rush to tighten monetary policy The Bank of Korea’s (BoK) decision to keep interest rates on hold for a ninth consecutive month comes against a background of weak price pressures. Looking ahead, with inflation set to remain subdued... 13th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India's policy options limited by stubborn inflation Today’s output and inflation data from India were, in each case, a little better than expected but they won’t drive away the dark cloud that hangs over the outlook for the economy. Industrial... 12th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Trade Monitor EM exports picking up, but recovery uneven Surprisingly strong export growth from China last month has raised hopes of a broader recovery in EM exports. However, the country level data suggest that export performances are highly uneven, with... 12th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Export sector to drive Malaysia’s growth The acceleration in Malaysia’s economy in the final quarter of 2013 reinforces our view that the central bank is likely to tighten monetary policy sooner rather than later. While policy tightening... 12th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rupee stability key to relaxation of India’s gold import curbs The rupee has come through the recent EM turbulence largely unscathed. But the authorities have hinted at the possibility of easing the gold import curbs that have reduced the trade deficit and... 11th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Focus Will the BRICs embrace economic reforms? The recent slowdown in the major BRIC economies has been driven largely by structural factors, meaning that a new wave of reforms is needed if they are to regain their vigour. But, as things stand... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rajan is laying foundations for long-term growth in India After five months in office, nobody would accuse Raghuram Rajan of keeping a low profile. Rarely has a central bank governor been such a regular fixture in local papers. The global media is also... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Inflation to fall in Indonesia despite currency weakness Bank Indonesia meets this week with the rupiah having so far come through the latest period of EM turmoil in reasonable shape. As such, it is under little pressure to follow other EM central banks in... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Manufacturing PMIs highlight EM divergence Emerging market (EM) manufacturing appears to have slowed last month but, perhaps more importantly, there is a widening divergence between countries. Activity seems to be picking up in the more open... 6th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rates to be kept low in the Philippines to support reconstruction Today’s decision by the central bank in the Philippines (BSP) to keep interest rates on hold at a record low of just 3.5% came as no surprise. With the recent increase in inflation likely to prove... 6th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Industrial production recovery to boost regional growth The full set of Emerging Asia GDP data for the final quarter of 2013 is yet to be released, but our tracker suggests the region as a whole struggled for momentum. Weak industrial production was a key... 6th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indonesian growth unlikely to accelerate further Indonesia's economy accelerated slightly in Q4, but growth was still below 6% for the third consecutive quarter. With monetary policy set to remain tight, inflation eating into consumers’ purchasing... 5th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Focus Five questions (and answers) about the turmoil in EM markets The emerging world may not be facing a re-run of the late-1990s, as some have suggested, but theprecarious position of some EMs makes it likely that several economies will run into trouble overthe... 4th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia holds rates and takes cuts off the agenda The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held its cash rate at 2.5% today, as expected. Moreover, it strongly suggested that it is does not expect to change policy in the foreseeable future. For now... 4th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand's political crisis to continue dragging on economy Although Sunday's general election proceeded as scheduled, Thailand's political crisis shows no sign of letting up. While the incumbent Pheu Thai Party almost certainly won the most votes, it could be... 3rd February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Five reasons to be positive about the Philippines The Philippines economy came through the disruption caused by Typhoon Haiyan reasonably well, posting healthy growth in the final quarter of 2013. The outlook is also bright, with long term growth... 3rd February 2014 · 1 min read
