News analysis
Lockdowns put damper on S-E Asia's economies
Slow vaccine roll-out and variants from India could undermine recovery, analysts warn
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
A health safety official checking vegetables donated by farmers in Manila yesterday. The Philippines - where officials in the capital have banned all non-essential movement - halved the rate of contraction of its gross domestic product to 4.2 per cent year on year during the quarter.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
South-east Asia's economies will struggle against Covid-19 lockdowns this year even as early signs suggest a recovery for the region, helped by big dollops of foreign direct investment (FDI) and, for some, breakneck growth in exports to the United States and China.
Yesterday, Malaysia's central bank said its economy may grow by as much as 7.5 per cent this year even as the country prepares for a three-week lockdown starting today.