EM Asia and Thailand Outlook by Ben Shatil
Economic outlook : global and EM Asia
- central banks will drive global divergences
Expect FED to tighten further in 2016, with FED funds at 1.25% by end 2016 though risks are to doenside
- EM growth is lagging despite DM rise
- EM Asia caught in FED cross-current
Limited export lift has domestic implication
FX in focus amid USD strength - China policy in focus
Banking sector liquidity leads to tightening in some economic
Limited policy options to counteract US$ strength - solid fundamentals help with starting concisions
Economic outlook : Thailand
- Fiscal spending plans key to the 2016 growth outlook
- Forecasting a sustained recovery towards about 3% GDP growth on small-scale public infra projects
- Export decline reflects cyclical and structural factor : weak regional demand and erosion of competitiveness
- Credit growth another drug : loan standards gradually easing but load demand anemic
- Oil a Mixed blessing : inflation will be very soft, but other commodities also down
- Large current account surplus supports THB, but capital outflows in focus - domestic flows accelerate