Moody’s Analytics has released its Asia Pacific Economic Preview for the week of 24–28 March 2025, highlighting significant economic data expected across the region. The report anticipates a slight decline in South Korea’s consumer sentiment index to 94.5 from 95.2, influenced by ongoing global trade tensions and domestic political uncertainty. Meanwhile, Singapore is projected to report a decrease in headline inflation to 0.5% year on year in February, down from 1.2% in January, driven by a significant drop in electricity prices and a high base effect from the previous year.
The report also notes that Taiwan is expected to show a 10% increase in industrial production for February, attributed to the earlier occurrence of the Lunar New Year, which has distorted year-on-year comparisons. Additionally, the economic outlook for the region is being shaped by pending changes in US tariffs, which could impact trade dynamics.
In China, the People’s Bank of China has opted to maintain its current interest rates, despite previous indications of a shift towards looser monetary policy. This decision comes amidst China’s efforts to boost domestic consumption through a new 30-point plan, although details remain sparse.
The economic landscape in the Asia Pacific is further complicated by varying monetary policy stances, with Bank Indonesia and the Bank of Japan also holding their rates steady. New Zealand, however, has shown signs of economic recovery, with GDP rebounding by nearly 0.7% in the December quarter.
As the region navigates these economic challenges, Moody’s Analytics continues to provide insights into the potential impacts on growth and trade. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how these factors play out across different economies.
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