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

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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.

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Economic Policy and Strategic Advisors

Macroeconomics

<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Two major policy events last week gave an inkling of further turning points in Singapore’s economic policy in coming months.</li>
<li>The MAS decision to begin normalising monetary policy by allowing a modest appreciation of the trade-weighted Singapore Dollar was not expected. Clearly, MAS is confident about economic growth prospects and saw enough of a likelihood of higher inflation to merit this.</li>
<li>Finance Minister Lawrence Wong made an important speech in which he outlined Singapore’s philosophy governing fiscal policy. The signal was clear – there would be no fundamental change to Singapore’s conservative fiscal management but there would be tweaks to accommodate growing challenges from trends in inequality, ageing and climate change</li>
<li>We expect the government to raise GST rates, perhaps as early as in 2022. Higher carbon prices are also likely. In addition, there may be a need for modest macro-prudential measures to rein in home prices</li>
</ul>


Two major policy events last week gave an inkling of further turning points in Singapore’s economic policy in coming months.
The MAS decision to begin normalising monetary policy by allowing a modest appreciation of the trade-weighted Singapore Dollar was not expected. Clearly, MAS is confident about economic growth prospects and saw enough of a likelihood of higher inflation to merit this.
Finance Minister Lawrence Wong made an important speech in which he outlined Singapore’s philosophy governing fiscal policy. The signal was clear – there would be no fundamental change to Singapore’s conservative fiscal management but there would be tweaks to accommodate growing challenges from trends in inequality, ageing and climate change
We expect the government to raise GST rates, perhaps as early as in 2022. Higher carbon prices are also likely. In addition, there may be a need for modest macro-prudential measures to rein in home prices


Singapore: On The Cusp Of Turning Points In Fiscal and Monetary Policy