Thefigures were also conformable with forecast of the Monetary Authority ofSingapore (MAS) which reaffirmed its official estimates that the country’sgrowth outlook is expected to expand by 1 to 3 percent this year.
Accordingto the UNESCAP, Singapore’s domestic demand will also increase and beunderpinned by stable employment conditions and supportive policy measures,including higher corporate income tax rebates for small and medium enterprises.
Onekey downside risk is heightened trade protectionism, which would especiallyundermine economic growth in the country's trade-oriented economy, theorganisation said.
Thenear-term economic growth outlook for Southeast Asia is even brighter. Highergrowth rates are projected for most economies in the region, according to thesurvey.
Economicgrowth in the region is expected to improve further, to 4.7 percent this yearand 4.8 percent in 2018, up from the 4.5 percent last year.-VNA