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 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
Asia Economics Update What would a global return to normality mean for Asia? As vaccines are rolled out across the world and restrictions on economic activity are removed, we expect global consumption patterns to return to something like normal. Electronics exporters, most... 22nd March 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Data Response Manufacturing PMIs (Feb.) February PMI readings suggest that manufacturing sectors improved further in most places in Asia. Global demand for electronics should continue to support the sector for at least the next few months. 2nd March 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Is the slow vaccine rollout a cause for concern? Asia’s vaccine rollout has got off to a slow start. This is not a big concern in countries that have contained the virus and where social distancing is not a drag on growth such as Taiwan and China... 23rd February 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Data Response Thailand GDP (Q4) Thailand’s economic recovery slowed in the final quarter of last year, and the worsening prospects for the tourism industry mean we are cutting our GDP growth forecast for 2021 from 6.0% to 4.5%. 15th February 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Data Response Manufacturing PMIs (Jan.) PMI readings for Asia suggest that manufacturing sectors improved further in most places. Buoyant global demand for electronics should continue to support the sector for at least the next few months. 1st February 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update A guide to political events in 2021 In this Update we take a look at the important elections and political events that are set to take place across Asia over the coming year as well as any potential flashpoints, assessing the... 20th January 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: rates to remain low throughout next year The Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) decision to leave interest rates unchanged at an all-time low of just 0.5% today came as no surprise, and the poor outlook for the economy means rates are likely to remain... 23rd December 2020 · 2 mins read
Asia Data Response Manufacturing PMIs (Nov.) PMI readings for Asia suggest that manufacturing conditions improved significantly in November. Buoyant global demand for electronics should continue to support the sector over the coming months. 1st December 2020 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Focus Thailand: is an appreciating baht a threat to the recovery? Despite renewed concern from policymakers in Thailand over the appreciation of the Thai baht, we find little evidence that the rising currency is having a negative effect on the economy, and we don’t... 30th November 2020 · 9 mins read
Asia Data Response Thailand GDP (Q3) GDP figures published today show that the worst is now over for Thailand’s economy, but its dependence on tourism means it is likely to experience one of the slowest recoveries in the region. 16th November 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update How might the US election impact Asia? With the US election result unlikely to have immediate ramifications for US GDP, the main issue for much of Asia is how it affects trade policy. A Joe Biden presidency would be less confrontational... 21st October 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thai protests a key risk to the recovery The renewed risk of domestic political unrest in Thailand following the declaration of a “severe” state of emergency could act as a further drag on the already beleaguered economy. 15th October 2020 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: onus on fiscal policy after rates left unchanged The Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) decision to leave interest rates unchanged at 0.5% came as no surprise, and rates look set to remain unchanged for some time to come. The central bank hinted at further... 23rd September 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: Slow recovery despite virus success Despite Thailand’s success in containing the coronavirus, the country is likely to record one of the biggest falls in GDP in the region this year. A collapse in tourism and a slump in automotive... 7th September 2020 · 4 mins read
