Search results

China’s local governments will accumulate hidden debt

Location:

CHINA

Local governments’ fiscal positions have become increasingly untenable post-pandemic amid a property market downturn. Record numbers of local government financing vehicles (LGFVs…

Australian budget offers modest pre-election spending

Location:

AUSTRALIA

The surpluses seen this year and last have proved an unexpected bonus for Labor and will enable a modest spending increase as the party prepares for the general election due by…

Outlook is mixed for Indonesian economy

Location:

INDONESIA

A key driving factor was soaring government consumption ahead of the February general election, which included the race to succeed Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo as president, won by…

Pakistan will be optimistic about its IMF talks

Location:

PAKISTAN

Islamabad now seeks a larger, longer-term bailout programme with the Fund. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has suggested that a staff-level agreement on such a package could…

Economic woes will dampen investor confidence in Laos

Location:

LAOS

Issues such as soaring inflation, currency depreciation and debt repayment problems are having a major impact on the economy. The World Bank estimates that GDP grew by 3.7% in…

Japan’s wage hikes will expand income gaps

Location:

JAPAN

Elevating stagnant wages is Tokyo’s top priority and anti-deflation tool, necessary in creating a virtuous cycle of rising prices and incomes that boosts economic growth.

Reshuffle highlights economic concerns in Thailand

Location:

THAILAND

Pichai Chunhavajira, an experienced businessman who has held various important positions previously, was named as the new finance minister, taking over the role from the premier…

Japan will be a policy pioneer for advanced nations

Location:

INTERNATIONAL

It took policymakers decades to tackle the consequences of the market crash, partly due to conservative caution; this experience has encouraged other states to be more…

Low savings limit Japanese spending and GDP growth

Location:

JAPAN

The economy slowed sharply in the second half of 2023. Consumption is lower than a decade ago, as a consequence of population ageing and insufficient savings, which reflects a…

China will increase investment in emerging markets

Location:

CHINA

Although its investments in Africa have attracted considerable attention, the vast majority of China's OFDI has gone to Asia, principally Hong Kong and a few financial centres…