Economics
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Thailand decision guide: Currency surge complicates rate outlook

A surge in Thailand’s currency is putting the question of an interest-rate cut back on the table.While economists predict the Bank of Thailand will keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged near a record low of 1.5 percent on Wednesday -- where it’s been for more than two years -- some debt investors are starting to price in a rate cut.The baht has surged 7.7 percent against the dollar this year, the strongest performance in Asia posing a risk to the export-reliant economy.

16 August 2017
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Cookie counting Indrawati aims to fix Indonesian budget woes

Within the austere confines of Indonesia’s Finance Ministry, even the cookies are under review as budget strains threaten to undermine President Joko Widodo’s ambitious infrastructure plans for Southeast Asia’s largest economy.Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati urged spending restraint in a recent speech to officials as she grapples with a fiscal shortfall and widening budget deficit.

15 August 2017
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Philippine central bank head seeks calm as peso hits 11-year low

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla called for calm on Sunday after the peso fell to an almost 11-year low against the dollar last week, saying the currency isn’t expected to free fall given the nation’s strong economic fundamentals."The peso is market-determined. It’s natural for it to show volatility as it adjusts to market conditions and all the short-term uncertainties such as increased tension in North Korea,” Espenilla said in a phone message to reporters.

14 August 2017
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AEC implementation to impact ASEAN auto sector in three levels

The implementation of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) should be expedited to address the challenges by introducing policies such as ASEAN Single Window (ASW) and Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) that would integrate ASEAN as a single market.Frost & Sullivan senior director for mobility Dushyant Sinha said the implementation of AEC will impact the region's auto sector at three levels.

14 August 2017
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