ASEAN Economists Yun Liu and Aris Dacanay discuss economic challenges in Vietnam and the Philippines, the Thai tourism industry, durian exports to China, FDI resilience in Malaysia and Indonesia, and equity markets in ASEAN with optimism for the region.
Vietnam's trade weakness is primarily due to falling orders from the West, while its property market faces challenges but proactive measures aim to stabilize it.
The Philippines experienced impressive growth but faces challenges related to inflation and unbalanced growth, with consumption expected to slow down to return the economy to balance.
Deep dives
Vietnam's Trade Challenges and Resilience
Vietnam has been facing trade challenges since late 2022, with double-digit declines in exports. However, foreign direct investment (FDI) remains decent, reflecting a medium to long-term perspective. The trade weakness in Vietnam is primarily due to falling orders from the West across various sectors, including electronics, textiles, and machinery. Additionally, Vietnam's property market has faced challenges, but the government's proactive measures, such as credit packages, aim to stabilize the sector.
Philippines' Impressive Growth and Consumption Pressures
The Philippines experienced impressive growth in 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, with above 7% GDP growth, the highest in 40 years. However, the country faces challenges related to inflation and unbalanced growth. Consumption has been fueled by resilient people dipping into their savings, but it is expected to slow down to return the economy to balance. Foreign direct investment in the Philippines is relatively underrated, with favorable demographics attracting consumer-related investments.
Thailand's Challenges with Demographics and Tourism
Thailand's declining demographic trend poses challenges for its market base. High household debt hampers the consumer market, making it difficult to sell domestically. The country relies on tourism to support its economy, but the return of mainland Chinese tourists has not met expectations. Tourism boom expectations have not materialized, indicating a demand issue rather than a supply issue. However, one bright spot is the export of durians, a tropical fruit popular in China.
From factory relocations to tourism and exotic fruit exports, Herald van der Linde sits down with ASEAN Economists Yun Liu and Aris Dacanay to discuss the key themes shaping ASEAN’s disparate economic landscape.
For more content from HSBC Global Research, follow us on LinkedIn: #HSBCResearch
Disclosures and Disclaimers: https://www.research.hsbc.com/R/51/JwJWSxR