Asia Economist and CEO, Centennial Asia Advisors

Manu Bhaskaran

Mr. Bhaskaran is a leading Asian economist based in Singapore with more than 30 years of experience in studying economic, political and security issues that shape the business environment in Asia. He co-ordinates the Asian business of Washington DC-based strategic advisory firm, Centennial Group, directing its Asian economic research practice which provides in-depth analysis of macro trends in Asia. He works extensively with investment institutions, government agencies and corporations. Mr. Bhaskaran regularly presents his views on the economic, political and business environment in Asia at business conferences and in-house briefings. He has conducted studies on a wide range of subjects including: consumer finance in Asia; Asian integration; regional and country-specific political and economic outlooks; the Impact of China on Asia; portfolio capital flows in emerging markets, amongst many others. He is as a member of the Regional Advisory Group for Asia and the Pacific of the International Monetary Fund. Mr. Bhaskaran is a regular columnist for The Edge (Singapore) and holds positions in think tanks including being Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS); Vice President of the Economics Society of Singapore, and Council Member of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA). Mr. Bhaskaran serves on the boards of CIMB Investment Bank and Japfa Limited.

Asia Economist and CEO

Singapore: Stars Are Aligned for New Policies in 2022

Singapore: Multiple Catalysts, Upside Surprise to 2022 Growth Likely

Singapore: Broader Macro Shifts Compel Fundamental Policy Changes

Singapore: Snag in Succession Points to Deeper Weaknesses in Political System

Singapore: When Will MAS Normalise Policy?

A Prudent, Safe Budget, But Is It What Singapore Needs?

Centennial Asia Advisors

At Centennial Asia Advisors, we tell it like it is. We have no vested interests, no need for a China wall, and no reason to skew our outlook any other way. With over 30 years experience covering Asia’s political economy, you can be sure our conclusions and analyses are based on the unadulterated facts. Through years of fine-tuning our research methodologies, we deliver a quality of macroeconomic analysis few other houses can match.

Centennial Asia Advisors is an independent research and advisory firm that works with governments, multilateral institutions, financial firms and leading MNCs.

Economic Policy and Strategic Advisors

Macroeconomics

<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hong Kong and Singapore face competition from other global hubs and are likely to be subject to political, technological and regulatory pressures in the post-pandemic period. Both have suffered domestic weaknesses as well.</li>
<li>Policy makers in both cities are responding with new strategies but with varying degrees of success.</li>
<li>The net result will be that the two Asian cities are likely to remain the leading hearts of commerce in Asia but will lose some of the premium they have enjoyed over others. They will have to cede market share to other hubs in some niches.</li>
<li>Part of the premium returns they deliver to resident businesses will therefore diminish. That could result in less justification for high capital values of real estate and wages for the talent that flocks to them.</li>
</ul>


Hong Kong and Singapore face competition from other global hubs and are likely to be subject to political, technological and regulatory pressures in the post-pandemic period. Both have suffered domestic weaknesses as well.
Policy makers in both cities are responding with new strategies but with varying degrees of success.
The net result will be that the two Asian cities are likely to remain the leading hearts of commerce in Asia but will lose some of the premium they have enjoyed over others. They will have to cede market share to other hubs in some niches.
Part of the premium returns they deliver to resident businesses will therefore diminish. That could result in less justification for high capital values of real estate and wages for the talent that flocks to them.


Can Hong Kong and Singapore Remain Pre-Eminent Global Hubs?