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

China: Laying Out the Plans for a Sustainable Growth Path

China: More Reforms Being Rolled Out as Economy Stabilises

China: Watch Out for Decelerating Investment as a Trigger of Instability

China: Rising Demand Provides Buffer to Growth

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><li>The Chinese economy is on stable footing, as shown by the latest release of economic indicators. Industrial production has maintained its momentum while FAI experienced more moderation. Monetary aggregates generally rebounded, mostly due to bank lending, and retail sales recovered slightly. On the policy front, the PBOC also hiked rates by a tad.</li><li>The gradual and controlled deceleration in China projects a façade of stability yet financial risks are lurking. The IMF alluded to as such in its recent slew of reports warning of the need for thicker capital buffers, the resolution of zombie SOEs, and the need to properly account for public sector debt to include quasi-fiscal borrowings.</li><li>One would fare well to not underestimate the financial risks emanating from the country. </li></ul>

The Chinese economy is on stable footing, as shown by the latest release of economic indicators. Industrial production has maintained its momentum while FAI experienced more moderation. Monetary aggregates generally rebounded, mostly due to bank lending, and retail sales recovered slightly. On the policy front, the PBOC also hiked rates by a tad.The gradual and controlled deceleration in China projects a façade of stability yet financial risks are lurking. The IMF alluded to as such in its recent slew of reports warning of the need for thicker capital buffers, the resolution of zombie SOEs, and the need to properly account for public sector debt to include quasi-fiscal borrowings.One would fare well to not underestimate the financial risks emanating from the country. 

China: Opacity Compounds Financial Risks