Developing Asia on track to grow faster in 2023 – ADB

MANILA  – Developing Asia is on track to grow faster in 2023 from a year earlier as strong consumption and investment offset the impact of weak global demand, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Wednesday.

In an update to its regional economic outlook, the ADB kept its 2023 growth forecast for developing Asia at 4.8 percent, but revised a tad lower its estimate for next year to 4.7 percent from 4.8 percent in April, reflecting risks, including from Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Developing Asia consists of 46 economies in the Asia-Pacific and excludes Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The ADB maintained its growth projections for subregions East Asia and South Asia, with China and India still expected to expand 5 percent and 6.4 percent this year, respectively, and 4.5 percent and 6.7 percent in 2024, but trimmed slightly its outlook for Southeast Asia.

Growth in Southeast Asia is now expected at 4.6 percent this year and 4.9 percent next year, down from 4.7 percent and 5 percent previously, the ADB said, due mainly to weaker global demand for exports.

An upside risk to the growth outlook of developing Asia is slower inflation, which has allowed most central banks in the region to hold off tightening, helping underpin domestic consumption.

The region’s inflation is forecast to slow to 3.6 percent this year from its previous forecast of 4.2 percent, with the rate expected to decelerate further to 3.4 percent in 2024.

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