Asian Emerging Economies Update – February 2014
Moderate economic growth continues across the emerging market economies of East Asia (ASEAN, HK, South Korea and Taiwan) with the pace of regional growth quickening from just under 4% yoy in September quarter to 4.3% yoy in December.
- Moderate economic growth continues across the emerging market economies of East Asia (ASEAN, HK, South Korea and Taiwan) with the pace of regional growth quickening from just under 4% yoy in September quarter to 4.3% yoy in December. The export-driven economies of Taiwan and South Korea accounted for most of the acceleration as ASEAN growth was held down by political tensions in Thailand and financial/inflation issues in Indonesia. We expect growth of 4.1% this year and 4.4% in 2015.
- The pace of expansion in domestic demand remained fairly flat around the region and the growth pick-up was driven by exports, reflecting a modest lift in the growth of world trade through the latter half of last year. The rate of growth in regional consumer spending and fixed investment remained little changed, but export growth lifted from around 4% yoy to 5¼% yoy through the latter half of 2013.
- Regional indicators that anticipate the future pace of economic growth are not pointing to any sudden acceleration in activity. Regional business surveys show their usual divergence between individual economies but none of them show a ramping up in expectations. Leading indicators of export demand are not highlighting much better conditions either.
- The moderate pace of growth in the Asian emerging economies has contributed to the levelling out in export values to the region from Australia and New Zealand. That lacklustre trade record contrasts with the continuing surge in shipments to China, which has displaced Australia to become New Zealand’s biggest market for merchandise exports.
For further analysis download the full report.
• Asian Emerging Economies Update – February 2014 (PDF, 250KB)
About the Author
Tom joined NAB in 1996 after working for the Australian government within both the Federal Treasury and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to this, Tom gained experience within the wool industry.
At NAB, Tom heads up the international economics team and is responsible for forming the banks views on economic conditions in the global economy. He manages the monitoring and forecasting of numerous economies around the world, with a particular focus on the US, China, emerging Asia, UK, Euro-zone and New Zealand.
Tom studied economics at the University of Wales, where he also completed his PhD.
