Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

PK Basu has 34 years experience covering Asia's economies and markets (equities, fixed income and currencies), including 20 years covering the global economy. He was Chief Economist (SE Asia & India) at Credit Suisse First Boston for 5 years, and Chief Asia (x-Jpn) Economist at Daiwa Securities for a similar period. Among other roles, he was global head of research at Maybank Kim Eng, Malaysia equity research head and chief ASEAN economist at Macquarie, Chief Economist at ICICI Securities, ASEAN economist at UBS and the first chief economist at Khazanah Nasional (where he was co-head of research, and led all agri-business initiatives). PK Basu started his career in the Asia Service of WEFA (Wharton Econometrics) in Philadelphia in 1990, rising to be Director of their Asia Service in June 1994. 
PK's book, "Asia Reborn: A continent rises from the ravages of Colonialism and War to a New Dynamism" won the Tata Literature First Book Award (non-fiction) for 2018. It is the first single chronicle of the modern economic and political history of the whole of Asia (from Iraq and Turkey to Korea and Japan, and everything in between), told from an Asian perspective.

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

India: Robust Economic Momentum Despite Some Seeming Fiscal Deterioration

India: Real GDP to Sustain 8%+ YoY Growth over the Next 18 Months

India Banks - Far Better Credit Metrics Seem Real, With Exceptional Long-Term Loan Growth Outlook

India: Surging Tax Revenue Helps Lower PSBR, Ensuring Capex-Led Growth

Gravity Works As WeWork Doesn't; Now Plan B

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>RGDP grew 7.2% in FY2023 driven by 10.4% growth in GFCF and 7.5% growth in PCE. Improved terms of trade will boost net exports, ensuring 7.2% growth in FY2024 too.</li>
<li>Services (over half of GDP) have averaged 8% annual real growth for the past 25 years (8.7% excluding the covid year), underpinning growth. Manufacturing set to gain from relocating supply-chains.</li>
<li>With tax (personal, corporate and GST) revenues growing in double-digits YoY, the fiscal deficit (and PSBR) are undershooting official estimates, helping to crowd-in stronger investment spending. </li>
</ul>


RGDP grew 7.2% in FY2023 driven by 10.4% growth in GFCF and 7.5% growth in PCE. Improved terms of trade will boost net exports, ensuring 7.2% growth in FY2024 too.
Services (over half of GDP) have averaged 8% annual real growth for the past 25 years (8.7% excluding the covid year), underpinning growth. Manufacturing set to gain from relocating supply-chains.
With tax (personal, corporate and GST) revenues growing in double-digits YoY, the fiscal deficit (and PSBR) are undershooting official estimates, helping to crowd-in stronger investment spending. 


S&P BSE SENSEX Index (SENSEX INDEX EQUITY)

India: Net Exports and Investment to Ensure 7%+ RGDP Growth as PSBR Moderates