Singapore (VNA) - Singapore’sinflation rate inched up by ♐0.7 percent in February 𒉰2017, marking the highestreading in three years since Q3/2014.
It was also the fourth consecutive month of rise and in line with expectationof the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Basic inflation (not including stay and private vehicle fee) of the countryrose by 1.2 percent in February 2017 from the previous month’s increase of 1.5percent.
MAS forecasts Singapore’s average inflation will range from 0.5 percentto 1.5 percent in 2017 while economic specialists expect the inflation rate of1 percent during the year.
Experts predict MAS is not likely to loosen its monetary policy in an upcomingmeeting in April.
They also warn of risks which increase from trade protectionism of theUS and the decreasing service sector that shows the weak economy might needmore stimulation.-VNA
Singapore’s inflation is expected to hit a three-year low due to plunging oil prices and global growth uncertainty, according to a quarterly survey released by the Singapore Management University on January 19.
Singapore’s consumer price index (CPI) in January fell 0.4 percent compared to the same period last year due to sharp decline in petroleum price and cheaper food and services, the Department of Statistic said on February 23.
Singapore’s non-oil domestic export value in February expanded 21.5 percent from the same period last year and marked the fourth consecutive monthly increase since November, 2016.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
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A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
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The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.
Illustrative image (Source: CNN) 
