Asia Economics Update Monetary policy in Pakistan becomes increasingly haphazard In an unexpected move, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) at the weekend cut its main policy rate by 50bp to 13.5%. The cut came despite continued strong inflationary pressures, and follows growing... 2nd August 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Interest rates to rise in the Philippines The Philippines’ central bank (BSP) will announce its latest policy decision on Thursday. As with elsewhere in the region, the BSP faces a dilemma as it looks to keep inflationary pressures under... 26th July 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Global risks may delay policy tightening Inflation remains a concern across most of the region. Central banks in Taiwan and Thailand have hiked their policy rates in recent weeks, while the central bank in Malaysia increased its reserve... 22nd July 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update How big a worry is the suspension of US aid for Pakistan? The US government announced on Sunday that it has suspended $800m in military aid to Pakistan amid a further deterioration in the relationship between the two countries. The announcement is clearly a... 12th July 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook End of Asia’s policy tightening in sight Policy rates across Emerging Asia are likely to rise further towards pre-crisis levels in the coming months. However,tightening cycles should end next year with rates below their 2008 peaks. Most... 1st July 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan's fiscal target may prove difficult to achieve Pakistan’s federal budget was announced late last week with the aim to narrow the chronic fiscal deficit. The government is rightly looking to broaden the tax base and scale back subsidies, but... 6th June 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan’s central bank looking for fiscal reforms to deliver In a move that was widely anticipated, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) left its policy rate unchanged at 14.0% over the weekend. The upcoming FY2011-12 budget and subsequent fiscal developments will... 23rd May 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan's economic reforms push back monetary tightening The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) left its policy rate unchanged at 14.0% over the weekend. The fiscal adjustment programme appears to be back on track and means that there is less urgency for SBP to... 28th March 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook Set for above-trend growth GDP growth across Emerging Asia has slowed, but is likely to pick up again soon. Domestic demand, trade between the emerging markets, as well as policy flexibility, will cushion the downside... 22nd February 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan's central bank hopes for the best In a surprise decision over the weekend, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) left its policy rate unchanged at 14.0%. The SBP was unequivocal in its criticism of government policies but is prepared to... 31st January 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan; just when you thought the situation could not worsen Political instability, which is never far away in Pakistan, has risen following this week’s assassination of the governor of Punjab province and the withdrawal of another party from the ruling... 5th January 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook Asia's slowdown to bottom soon (Q4 10) The post-recession rebound in most of Latin America is showing signs of slowing but growth is likely to remain fairly strong over the coming quarters. We still expect the region to expand by around 4... 1st December 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan's central bank has probably tightened enough The central bank in Pakistan (SBP) today lifted its discount rate by 50bp to 14.0%, as we had expected. The annual gain in consumer prices should peak in coming months and inflation pressures from the... 29th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan continues to make the right moves Pakistan’s central bank (SBP) today lifted its discount rate by 50bp to 13.5%, as was expected. Rates will probably be increased again later this year but 14% should be the peak. 29th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook Asia is re-balancing and will continue to lead (Q3 10) The global upswing is now regaining some traction and the threat of renewed financial crisis has diminished. However, the world recovery will stay weak and vulnerable to other risks such as deflation... 23rd September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan gets some help from the IMF The IMF late last week approved an emergency $0.45bn loan for Pakistan. The funding is small compared to the cost of the reconstruction work but is a vote of confidence in a government whose initial... 6th September 2010 · 1 min read
