Continuous strength in the electronics sector will drive growth in NODX in December. |
Growth should accelerate next quarter and we expect the official forecast for the year to be raised. We are seeing signs of electronics improving. |
High oil prices are kind of benefiting Singapore in a way. We're seeing some increase in the order books of all these companies, the oil rig manufacturers. |
It's a respectable number for the wrong reasons. It's still oil that's driving imports whilst electronics, which are the No.1 export, are still down. We will surely see some slowdown in exports. |
The December imports growth came higher than our expectations. This means that we can expect a better export performance in the months ahead. |
The hike in pump prices, and electricity and gas tariffs that have also been raised, fed through to overall consumer prices. Given that the MAS expects a higher pass-through from oil, and for inflation to be higher even in 2006, the current policy stance will remain appropriate. |
There is significant saving on interest payments because of lower interest rates. |
There's a trend now for central banks in the region to raise rates. Thailand has been raising rates since last year and it has served them well. |
They want to help pre-empt a build-up in inflationary pressures, which is likely to follow after the fuel price increase. They are now being more proactive rather than reacting to the situation. |
They want to help pre-empt a build-up in inflationary pressures, which is likely to follow after the fuel price increase. They are now being more proactive rather than reacting to the situation. |
We are maintaining our full-year 2005 GDP estimate at 4.8 percent, which implies an improvement in the fourth quarter to 5.1 percent. |
We remain cautiously optimistic that Philippine exports will eventually catch some wind and ride the ongoing global electronics demand upturn at least within the first half of the year. |