Singapore’s insurance and finance sector growth to outpace national economy – MAS
Economic growth prospects brighter this quarter, says central bank
Singapore’s insurance and finance sector growth to outpace national economy – MAS
INSURANCE NEWS
By Gabriel Olano
14 Dec 2017
Singapore’s economic growth for 2017 is expected to hit 3.3%, according to a survey of economists conducted by its central bank. 

Among the best-performing sectors in the Singaporean economy is the finance and insurance industry, which is expected to post a 3.7% growth rate for 2017, exceeding the national figure. This is also higher than the 2.9% growth predicted in the previous survey, reported Channel News Asia.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) economic forecast is for an increase from the 2.5% median forecast in the previous quarter.

The manufacturing sector is another bright performer, with forecasted growth of 10.6%, up from the 6.6% estimate in the September survey.

Other sectors are expected shrink, with the construction sector seen to contract by 7.6%, even worse than the 4.2% decline in the previous survey. Meanwhile, the food and accommodations industry is set to contract by 1.5%.

Inflation is expected at 0.6%, slightly lower than the 0.8% indicated in the previous survey. Core inflation, which excludes prices of accommodation and cars, is pegged at 1.5% – slightly lower than the 1.6% in the September survey.

Unemployment rate is expected at 2.2% by year-end, remaining unchanged from the previous survey.


Related stories:
Etiqa lends support to Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative
Southeast Asia adopts sandbox model to catch up in fintech
Singapore and Hong Kong battling for Asian insurance crown
Free newsletter

We'll keep you up-to-date with the latest breaking news, cutting edge opinion, and expert analysis affecting both your business and the industry as whole.

Free newsletter

Our daily newsletter is FREE and keeps you up - to - date with the world of Insurance. Please complete the form below and click on subscribe for daily newsletters from IB ASIA.