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

Singapore: External Uplift into Domestic Sectors

Singapore: Economy Roaring but Could Inflation Surprise?

Singapore: Broadening of Growth Should Lift Labour Market

Singapore: Blockbuster Growth in 3Q17 – Even Better than We Thought a Week Ago

Singapore Set for Blowout 4.5% Growth in 3Q17; MAS to Shift Policy in April 2018

Singapore: Despite Trade-Led Rebound, Uneven Growth Necessitates Targeted Policy Support

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>Singapore clocked in a remarkable 3Q17 with manufacturing the primary growth driver, reflecting the high beta of the Singapore economy to global trade and investment flows. Services remained steady while construction continued to languish.</li><li>Going forward, the economic outlook remains bright even as the growth cycle matures and higher base effects kick in. We remain optimistic given the strength of the G3.</li><li>The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) kept monetary policy on ice. Any consideration of monetary tightening will likely come in April 2018.</li><li>Amid the cyclical uplift brought about by export strength, it is timely to revisit longer-term, structural concerns such as labour market frailties, the high cost structure and the state of local enterprises.</li></ul>

Singapore clocked in a remarkable 3Q17 with manufacturing the primary growth driver, reflecting the high beta of the Singapore economy to global trade and investment flows. Services remained steady while construction continued to languish.Going forward, the economic outlook remains bright even as the growth cycle matures and higher base effects kick in. We remain optimistic given the strength of the G3.The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) kept monetary policy on ice. Any consideration of monetary tightening will likely come in April 2018.Amid the cyclical uplift brought about by export strength, it is timely to revisit longer-term, structural concerns such as labour market frailties, the high cost structure and the state of local enterprises.

Singapore: Sterling Growth but Focus on Longer-Term Concerns