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

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

<p><strong>Asia: Implications of US Federal Reserve’s actions for Asian economies</strong></p><ul><li>The US Fed is poised to raise interest rates in due course, as the domestic economy gathers steam and accelerates smartly. The spotlight is now on the trajectory of the looming rate hike cycle which is likely to be steeper than consensus and possibly catch financial markets off guard.</li><li>Using the Taylor Rule as a guide, Asian monetary policy is likely to remain broadly accommodative even though further cuts are unlikely - except in exceptional circumstances – in light of the looming rate hike by the Fed which will potentially cause higher volatility and depreciation among the currencies with weaker fundamentals.</li><li>However, the impending resumption of the rate lift-off is an affirmation of manifest strength in the US economy. The capex cycle should rise accordingly and provide a robust boost to the exports of Asian economies including Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.</li></ul>

Asia: Implications of US Federal Reserve’s actions for Asian economiesThe US Fed is poised to raise interest rates in due course, as the domestic economy gathers steam and accelerates smartly. The spotlight is now on the trajectory of the looming rate hike cycle which is likely to be steeper than consensus and possibly catch financial markets off guard.Using the Taylor Rule as a guide, Asian monetary policy is likely to remain broadly accommodative even though further cuts are unlikely - except in exceptional circumstances – in light of the looming rate hike by the Fed which will potentially cause higher volatility and depreciation among the currencies with weaker fundamentals.However, the impending resumption of the rate lift-off is an affirmation of manifest strength in the US economy. The capex cycle should rise accordingly and provide a robust boost to the exports of Asian economies including Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.

VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund (VOF LN)

Vietnam Enterprise Investments (VIETENI KY)

North Bangkok Power Plant Block 1 Infrastructure Fund (EGATIF TB)

North Bangkok Power Plant Block 1 Infrastructure Fund

How Will US Monetary Policy Affect Asia?