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

Philippines: More Theatrics than Policy Details in State of the Nation Address

The Philippines: Tax Reforms Hamstrung by Politics

Philippines: Economy Still Growing but Downside Risks Remain

Philippines: Crisis Jeopardises Peace Process

The Philippines: Mindanao Crisis Drags On

Philippines: Duterte's Personal Fight at the Cost of Economic Prosperity

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>One year into Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency and the prospects for the Philippine economy continues to remain sanguine. Solid domestic demand along with long-overdue tax reforms and the infrastructural initiative (dubbed “Build Build Build”) will continue to sustain growth moving forward.</li><li>However, the economy is likely to register a twin deficit in 2017 as investment continues to increase relative to savings. Given that capital goods imports are driving import growth, a trade deficit is less worrisome in the case of the Philippines.</li><li>Politically, Duterte remains an immensely popular figure who represents a break from the political establishment. But he needs to tread carefully or risk a public backlash from the mishandling of controversial issues.</li></ul>

One year into Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency and the prospects for the Philippine economy continues to remain sanguine. Solid domestic demand along with long-overdue tax reforms and the infrastructural initiative (dubbed “Build Build Build”) will continue to sustain growth moving forward.However, the economy is likely to register a twin deficit in 2017 as investment continues to increase relative to savings. Given that capital goods imports are driving import growth, a trade deficit is less worrisome in the case of the Philippines.Politically, Duterte remains an immensely popular figure who represents a break from the political establishment. But he needs to tread carefully or risk a public backlash from the mishandling of controversial issues.

The Philippines: Cause for Cautious Optimism