DON’T WORRY, ASIA LEADING THE WAY, DELOITTE SAYS

Despite protectionist rhetoric from the US and nervousness in financial markets, three factors suggest global growth is about to surprise on the upside, with Asia leading the way.
Deloitte economist Dr Ric Simes explained: “First, the global economy is finally normalising after a decade of shocks, and a natural healing process is underpinning a more resilient recovery. 
“Second, world trade is already lifting and the benefits of this are spilling into Asia. 
“And third, Asia’s mega-economies of India and China, as well as the economies of Southeast Asia, are increasingly being powered by consumer booms, acting as a stabilising force in their economies and for the region.”

EGATI SEEKS OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE THAILAND

To meet its target of 1,700 megawatts in power-generating capacity by 2026, Egat International (EGATi) has initiated a search for opportunities to invest in power projects in neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia and Laos, according to a statement from the company.
EGATi’s current projects include the 289MW Nam Ngiep 1 hydropower joint-venture project in Laos, scheduled to commence commercial operations in early 2019, a 1,320MW coal-fired power project in Vietnam, and a hydropower project in Myanmar. These projects will have combined capacity of 933MW, meaning the firm still needs another 767MW to fulfil its 1,700MW target.
EGATi received dividends from its investment in Adaro Indonesia amounting to more than Bt400 million last year, higher than expected. Adaro also expects to pay a dividend again in May.
“Therefore, our decision to invest in its stocks is considered timely, [as it] has resulted in improved financial stability for EGATi,” the company said.

MYANMAR GROWTH |TIPPED TO RISE

Myanmar’s gross domestic product is projected to grow by only 6.5 per cent this year, but the country is expected to recover to an average of 7.1-per-cent real GDP growth over the next three years, according to World Bank economists.
Habib Rab, senior country economist, told a news conference yesterday that Myanmar’s outlook was relatively favourable despite several macroeconomic risks to stable growth. He warned that Myanmar must mitigate such risks as commodity prices, institutional capacity, policy uncertainty, the external environment and vulnerability to natural disasters. – Myanmar Eleven 

‘STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY INTEGRATION’

The government has initiated a project it calls “Strengthen Community Integration” to promote the development of value-added agricultural goods as well as promoting small and medium-sized enterprises.
A senior source from the Commerce Ministry said the project would focus on developing agricultural goods and SMEs from upstream to downstream so to make them more competitive.
The project will use a budget allocated under the SME Development Fund as well as some money from the ministries of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Industry and Commerce, as well as the Office of SMEs Promotion.