ADB forecasts developing Asia to log robust recovery in 2021

RTTNews reports that the Asian Development Bank forecast developing Asia to rebound this year although the renewed outbreak of the coronavirus poses threat to the recovery.

According to the latest Asian Development Outlook 2021, economic growth in developing Asia will rebound to 7.3 percent this year from -0.2 percent last year, underpinned by global recovery and early progress in vaccination. However, growth will moderate to 5.3 percent in 2022.

The agency noted that robust exports coupled with gradual recovery in household consumption will boost economic activity in China this year. The country's GDP is projected to expand 8.1 percent in 2021 and 5.5 percent in 2022.

India's economy is expected to grow 11.0 percent in the fiscal year 2021, which ends on March 31, 2022, amid a strong vaccine drive. GDP growth in the FY2022 is seen at 7.0 percent.

South Asia's GDP growth is expected to rebound to 9.5 percent in 2021, following a 6.0 percent contraction in 2020, before moderating to 6.6 percent next year. East Asia's GDP is expected to grow 7.4 percent in 2021 and 5.1 percent in 2022.

On the price front, the ADB said inflation in developing Asia is set to ease to 2.3 percent from 2.8 percent in 2020, as food-price pressures ease in India and China. Nonetheless, the rate will rise to 2.7 percent in 2022.