Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Cross Asset Strategy

Boris Johnson has secured the strongest Conservative mandate since Margaret Thatcher in 1987, with an 80-seat majority in the House of Commons and a nationwide vote-share of 43.6% (the highest for the Conservatives since 1970). Britain has voted emphatically for Brexit, with the Liberal Democrats (the one party clearly repudiating Brexit) slumping to just 11 of the 650 Commons seats, and losing their leader Jo Swinson's parliamentary seat. PM Johnson's pledge to govern as a "One-Nation Conservative" is credible, given his record as Mayor of London, although his initial focus will be securing Brexit by Christmas and an FTA with the EU in 2020. Although the Scottish National Party (SNP) won 48 of the 59 seats in Scotland, the Conservatives finished second there for the second consecutive time, with 6 seats and 25.6% of the vote (versus 45% for SNP). Labour had dominated Scotland until the 2015 election (in which the SNP won 50% of the vote and 56 seats, up from 6 seats in 2010 to 41 for Labour), but slumped to a single seat and 18% of the vote this time. With 45% of Scottish votes in 2019, the SNP claim that it has a mandate for a second referendum on Scottish independence (after the first in 2014) does not stand up to scrutiny. In Northern Ireland, however, the Irish nationalist parties have won more seats and votes than the Unionists for the first time since the Partition of Ireland in 1922.    Given PM Johnson's clear mandate and large majority, he is likely to surprise the commentariat by delivering not only Brexit this month, but also an FTA with the EU by the end of 2020. Irish PM Leo Varadkar will be a key ally in securing both outcomes, given that Irish commercial reunification is assured by the end of this month, and political reunification becomes a likely outcome before too long. Scotland, however, will not have a second referendum on independence during the next 5 years; instead, the FTA with the EU is likely to ameliorate Scottish concerns about Brexit. Britain will be free to negotiate additional trade deals with other key partners (the US, ASEAN, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand) by the end of 2020. The removal of uncertainty will provide a strong boost to investment spending in the UK. We are solidly positive about British economic and market prospects in 2020.

Boris Johnson has secured the strongest Conservative mandate since Margaret Thatcher in 1987, with an 80-seat majority in the House of Commons and a nationwide vote-share of 43.6% (the highest for the Conservatives since 1970). Britain has voted emphatically for Brexit, with the Liberal Democrats (the one party clearly repudiating Brexit) slumping to just 11 of the 650 Commons seats, and losing their leader Jo Swinson's parliamentary seat. PM Johnson's pledge to govern as a "One-Nation Conservative" is credible, given his record as Mayor of London, although his initial focus will be securing Brexit by Christmas and an FTA with the EU in 2020. Although the Scottish National Party (SNP) won 48 of the 59 seats in Scotland, the Conservatives finished second there for the second consecutive time, with 6 seats and 25.6% of the vote (versus 45% for SNP). Labour had dominated Scotland until the 2015 election (in which the SNP won 50% of the vote and 56 seats, up from 6 seats in 2010 to 41 for Labour), but slumped to a single seat and 18% of the vote this time. With 45% of Scottish votes in 2019, the SNP claim that it has a mandate for a second referendum on Scottish independence (after the first in 2014) does not stand up to scrutiny. In Northern Ireland, however, the Irish nationalist parties have won more seats and votes than the Unionists for the first time since the Partition of Ireland in 1922.    Given PM Johnson's clear mandate and large majority, he is likely to surprise the commentariat by delivering not only Brexit this month, but also an FTA with the EU by the end of 2020. Irish PM Leo Varadkar will be a key ally in securing both outcomes, given that Irish commercial reunification is assured by the end of this month, and political reunification becomes a likely outcome before too long. Scotland, however, will not have a second referendum on independence during the next 5 years; instead, the FTA with the EU is likely to ameliorate Scottish concerns about Brexit. Britain will be free to negotiate additional trade deals with other key partners (the US, ASEAN, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand) by the end of 2020. The removal of uncertainty will provide a strong boost to investment spending in the UK. We are solidly positive about British economic and market prospects in 2020. 

Tory Landslide Prepares the Ground for an Economic Rebound for GB and Ireland

Malaysia

Sime Darby Property Berhad provides property development and investment services. The Company offers parks, hotels, resorts, and golf and country club. Sime Darby Property serves hospitality and leisure industries in Malaysia.

Sime Darby Property Bhd (SDPR MK)

Tory Landslide Prepares the Ground for an Economic Rebound for GB and Ireland

Boris Johnson has secured the strongest Conservative mandate since Margaret Thatcher in 1987, with an 80-seat majority in the House of Commons and...

Prasenjit K. Basu