phil04
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Philippines: BSP halts rate hikes as inflation slows

MANILA, Philippines — As expected, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) decided yesterday to keep interest rates steady, pausing from a tightening episode that saw rates rise by 175 basis points in five straight rate-setting meetings since May this year to rein in inflation. Francisco Dakila, assistant governor for the monetary policy sub-sector at the BSP, said the latest inflation forecasts show […]

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RAM projects Malaysia’s 2019 fiscal deficit at 3.3%

KUALA LUMPUR: RAM Ratings Services Bhd has projected Malaysia’s fiscal deficit in 2019 to narrow to 3.3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) from an estimated 3.6% in 2018, amid still-resilient domestic demand growth, the implementation of various fiscal measures and ongoing institutional reforms. It said the government’s medium-term fiscal framework, which targets an average […]

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Housing demand could still fuel 2019 growth in Singapore

THE local housing market could still support Singapore’s growth in 2019, despite the curbs unveiled this year, bank analysts said this week. Standard Chartered’s (StanChart) global chief economist David Mann, who is based here, acknowledged that “there are lots of cross-currents” in the air, from dampeners like an electronics cycle slowdown to upsides like a […]

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