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IMF Staff Country Report-IMF Executive Board Concludes 2023 Article IV Consultation
with India
December 15, 2023--India's economy showed robust growth over the past year. Headline inflation has, on average,
moderated although it remains volatile. Employment has surpassed the pre pandemic level and, while the informal sector continues to dominate, formalization has progressed.
The financial sector has been resilient-strongest in several years-and largely unaffected by
global financial stress in early 2023.
The current account deficit in FY2022/23 widened as the post-pandemic recovery of domestic demand and transitory external shocks outweighed the impact of robust services exports and proactive diversification of critical oil imports. While the budget deficit has eased, public debt remains elevated and fiscal buffers need to be rebuilt. Globally, India's 2023 G20 presidency has demonstrated the country's important role in advancing multilateral policy priorities.
Growth is expected to remain strong, supported by macroeconomic and financial stability.
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Source: imf.org
Thai Economy to Recover in 2024 Driven by Tourism, Exports Recovery
December 14, 2023---Carbon pricing critical for achieving climate objectives
Thailand's economic growth is projected to pick up to 3.2% in 2024 from 2.5% this year, supported by a recovery in tourism and goods exports and sustained private consumption, the World Bank said in its semi-annual Thailand Economic Monitor, launched today.
Growth in 2023 was dampened by a contraction in goods exports as well as ongoing fiscal consolidation, according to the report. The economy is projected to expand at a more moderate 3.1% in 2025.
Headline inflation is projected to slow to 1.1% in 2024 due to low energy prices. However, food prices are expected to increase.
Thailand's planned digital wallet program, potentially amounting to 2.7 percent of GDP, could boost near-term growth further by 0.5 to 1 percentage point over the two-year period in 2024 and 2025 if implemented. As a result, the fiscal deficit may increase to 4% to 5% of GDP, while public debt may reach 65% to 66% of GDP.
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Source: worldbank.org
Indonesia's Economic Growth to Ease Slightly in 2024 as Commodity Prices Soften
December 13, 2023---Indonesia can tackle climate challenges while achieving strong long-term growth
Indonesia's economic growth remains resilient, with inflation on a declining trend, and a stable currency, the World Bank said in its semi-annual Indonesia Economic Prospects report. GDP growth is projected to ease slightly to an average of 4.9% over 2024-2026 from 5% this year as the commodity boom loses steam.
Private consumption is anticipated to be the primary driver of growth in 2024. Business investment and public spending are also expected to pick up as a result of reforms and new government projects.
Inflation is expected to ease to 3.2% in 2024 from an average of 3.7% this year, within the target band of Bank Indonesia.
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Source: worldbank.org
Despite Strong Growth, South Asia Remains Vulnerable to Shocks
April 2, 2024--Growth in South Asia is expected to be strong at 6.0% in 2024, driven mainly by robust growth in India and recoveries in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But persistent structural challenges threaten to undermine sustained growth, hindering the region's ability to create jobs and respond to climate shocks, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year regional outlook.
According to Jobs for Resilience, the latest South Asia Development Update released today, South Asia is expected to remain the fastest-growing region in the world for the next two years, with growth projected to be 6.1% in 2025.
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Source: worldbank.org
IMF Departmental Paper-Asia's Perspectives on Climate Change: Policies, Perceptions, and Gaps
November 29, 2023--Summary:
Asia and the Pacific's green transition will have far-reaching implications for the global economy. Over the past decades, the region has become the engine of global economic growth. With relatively heavy reliance on coal and high energy intensity, the region has recently become the largest contributor to growth in global GHG emissions, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total emissions in 2020.
Achieving net zero by 2050 requires an energy transition at an unprecedented scale and speed, even as the region must ensure energy security and affordability.
The region must also address its vulnerability to climate change as it comprises many countries highly exposed to climate hazards increasing in severity and frequency with global warming. If managed well, the green transformation in Asia and the Pacific will create opportunities for economies not only in the region, but also around the world for inclusive and sustainable growth. The global economy is still far from achieving net zero by 2050, and the Asia and the Pacific region must play its part to deliver on mitigation and adaptation goals. Understanding Asia's perspectives on the constraints and issues with climate ambitions, climate policy actions, and constraints is central for devising climate strategies to meet climate goals. To this end, this chapter draws on novel surveys of country authorities and public in the region to distill climate ambitions and challenges faced and identify sources of major gaps in achieving mitigation and adaptation goals. Measures to help close the gaps are drawn from policy discussions with country authorities in bilateral surveillance and related studies.
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Source: imf.org
IMF Asia's Perspectives on Climate Change: Policies, Perceptions, and Gaps
November 29, 2023--Summary:
Asia and the Pacific's green transition will have far-reaching implications for the global economy. Over the past decades, the region has become the engine of global economic growth. With relatively heavy reliance on coal and high energy intensity, the region has recently become the largest contributor to growth in global GHG emissions, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total emissions in 2020.
Achieving net zero by 2050 requires an energy transition at an unprecedented scale and speed, even as the region must ensure energy security and affordability.
The region must also address its vulnerability to climate change as it comprises many countries highly exposed to climate hazards increasing in severity and frequency with global warming. If managed well, the green transformation in Asia and the Pacific will create opportunities for economies not only in the region, but also around the world for inclusive and sustainable growth. The global economy is still far from achieving net zero by 2050, and the Asia and the Pacific region must play its part to deliver on mitigation and adaptation goals.
Understanding Asia's perspectives on the constraints and issues with climate ambitions, climate policy actions, and constraints is central for devising climate strategies to meet climate goals. To this end, this chapter draws on novel surveys of country authorities and public in the region to distill climate ambitions and challenges faced and identify sources of major gaps in achieving mitigation and adaptation goals. Measures to help close the gaps are drawn from policy discussions with country authorities in bilateral surveillance and related studies.
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Source: imf.org
HKEX Welcomes APAC's First Saudi Arabian ETF
November 28, 2023--First Saudi Arabian ETF listed in Hong Kong, offering global and regional investors unique Middle East exposure in Hong Kong
ADT of Hong Kong-listed ETPs reached HK$14 billion YTD 2023, up over 20% year-on-year
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is pleased to welcome today (Wednesday) the listing of Asia Pacific's first ETF to track Saudi Arabian equities- the CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF (Stock code: 2830/82830).
This ETF, which tracks the FTSE Saudi Arabia Index, provides investors with a new opportunity to invest in Saudi Arabia's capital markets through a Hong Kong-listed ETF, further enhancing the global connectivity of Hong Kong's ETF market. The new ETF complements a huge array of thematic and country specific ETFs listed in Hong Kong and will be the world's biggest Saudi-focused ETF.
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Source: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX)
Investors are funding 85% of dividends at one Taiwan ETF
November 24, 2023--Regulator has introduced mandatory disclosures of dividend composition after receiving complaints
One of Taiwan's most popular high-dividend exchange traded funds has announced that 85 per cent of its monthly payout in November was taken from investor capital rather than corporate dividends or capital gains.
The disclosure follows the introduction of new rules earlier this month by the Financial Supervisory Commission requiring fund houses to start disclosing the dividend composition of ETFs.
The move was announced in September after the FSC received complaints that the proportion of dividends paid out via a "earnings equalisation mechanism" was too high.
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Source: ft.com
Macquarie brings long-awaited ETFs to market
November 22, 2023--In a statement, MAM said the launch provides local investors with the transparency and convenience of an ETF structure and access to its global active management strategies, previously only available as unlisted managed funds.
Now available on the ASX, the Macquarie Dynamic Bond Active ETF (MQDB), the Macquarie Income Opportunities Active ETF (MQIO), and the Macquarie Walter Scott Global Equity Active ETF (MQWS) provide access to opportunities in the global fixed income and equity markets.
MQDB invests in global fixed income instruments, with a focus on quality growth through long-term investment trends. The fund is managed by MAM head of global fixed income Matthew Mulcahy, and senior portfolio managers Shaughn Wilkie and Andrew Vonthethoff.
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Source: financialstandard.com
Republic of Korea: 2023 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of Korea
November 16, 2023--Summary:
Korea faced challenges from inflation, growth slowdown, and financial stress in the wake of the pandemic. Growth started to slow in mid-2022 as global demand for electronics waned and domestic demand weakened but has begun to gradually recover in recent quarters.
Headline inflation has declined from last year's peak, though core inflation has remained more persistent. Pockets of financial vulnerability have emerged, but swift policy measures have helped to stabilize financial and housing markets. Despite having increased, systemic financial risks appear to remain manageable.
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Source: imf.org