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

India Inflation: More To It Than Meets The Eye

India: Brace For A Sharp Snapback In Activity

India: Limited Upside To Rally In Rupee Moving Forward

India: Recovery Loses Steam Further in May

India: Still In Crisis Despite Signs that Infections Are Easing

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>The economy has slowed because of the previous surge in infections but with the pandemic now easing, activity is regaining momentum. Google Mobility Trends, a key barometer of consumer confidence, have begun to trend up as lockdowns are eased and come off in several states.</li>
<li>Contrary to Moody's warning, the risks of a sovereign rating downgrade are overblown. The worst is clearly over for the economy, and last year's fiscal deficit figures - which surprised on the upside vis-a-vis govt projections - should provide some respite to public coffers.</li>
<li>But Moody's warning could still prompt a rethink regarding the need for another fiscal package. Finance minister Sitharaman has ordered ministries to step up and even exceed the targeted capex spending for the year, suggesting the authorities are not about to divert some of the massive increase in capex to operating expenditures, as we previously thought. </li>
</ul>


The economy has slowed because of the previous surge in infections but with the pandemic now easing, activity is regaining momentum. Google Mobility Trends, a key barometer of consumer confidence, have begun to trend up as lockdowns are eased and come off in several states.
Contrary to Moody's warning, the risks of a sovereign rating downgrade are overblown. The worst is clearly over for the economy, and last year's fiscal deficit figures - which surprised on the upside vis-a-vis govt projections - should provide some respite to public coffers.
But Moody's warning could still prompt a rethink regarding the need for another fiscal package. Finance minister Sitharaman has ordered ministries to step up and even exceed the targeted capex spending for the year, suggesting the authorities are not about to divert some of the massive increase in capex to operating expenditures, as we previously thought. 


India: Risks of A Sovereign Downgrade Are Overblown, Despite Moody's Warning