The banking sector experienced mixed results in 2017. Although bank loans and asset quality benefitted from the country’s ongoing economic recovery – with operating profits rising as a result – high provisioning costs and preparations for the new accounting standards that take effect in 2019 saw net profits decline for many larger commercial banks. The sector is resilient, well capitalised and...
Asia Financial Services
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Steadily improving macroeconomic growth and shifting demographics are creating favourable conditions for the expansion of Thailand’s insurance industry, with reforms aimed at boosting foreign participation supporting a bright outlook for the remainder of 2018. The life insurance segment continues to dominate the country’s insurance landscape, accounting for the bulk of premium and...
Chapter | Capital Markets from The Report: Thailand 2018
Bolstered by improved political stability, positive growth and consumption outlooks, and rising investor confidence, market capitalisation in Thailand rose to pre-1997-98 Asian financial crisis levels for the first time in early 2018 as the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index hit an all-time high in January. Capital markets authorities have moved to position Thailand as the de facto...
In its April 2018 Economic Monitor for Thailand, the World Bank reported that GDP growth accelerated to 3.9% in 2017, from 0.91% in 2014, 2.94% in 2015 and 3.23% in 2016. This was the fastest expansion since the 7.24% recorded in 2012, and was driven by strong global growth, increased export revenue and a modest recovery in private consumption.
Chapter | Capital Markets from The Report: Philippines 2018
Though smaller than some other capital markets in the region, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) reached record highs in 2017 against a backdrop of robust macroeconomic expansion and the sweeping Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion programme, which should support the government’s sizeable infrastructure agenda, Build, Build, Build (BBB). Benefitting from rising levels of trading and...
The prevailing narrative of the Philippines’ energy sector in recent years has centred around energy security concerns and the challenge of meeting growing demand. Efforts to realign the energy sector were ramped up during 2017 with the launch of reforms targeting investment and the promotion of efficiency. Modifications to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 have come at a critical...