Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

PK Basu has 35 years experience covering Asia's economies and markets (equities, fixed income and currencies), including 20 years covering the global economy. He was Chief Economist (SE Asia & India) at Credit Suisse First Boston for 5 years, and Chief Asia (x-Jpn) Economist at Daiwa Securities for a similar period. Among other roles, he was global head of research at Maybank Kim Eng, Malaysia equity research head and chief ASEAN economist at Macquarie, Chief Economist at ICICI Securities, ASEAN economist and Asia sector strategist at UBS and the first chief economist at Khazanah Nasional (where he was co-head of research, and led all agri-business initiatives). PK Basu started his career in the Asia Service of WEFA (Wharton Econometrics) in Philadelphia in 1990, rising to be Director of their Asia Service in June 1994. 
PK's book, "Asia Reborn: A continent rises from the ravages of Colonialism and War to a New Dynamism" won the Tata Literature First Book Award (non-fiction) for 2018. It is the first single chronicle of the modern economic and political history of the whole of Asia (from Iraq and Turkey to Korea and Japan, and everything in between), told from an Asian perspective.

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

India: 8.2%YoY Growth in Q2FY26; to Accelerate to 9%YoY in Oct'25-Sep'26

India: CA Surplus Likely Despite US Tariffs; Tame Inflation Allows More Rate Cuts

Impact of Rising Crude Oil Prices on Indian Economy & Equity Markets 

India Twin Deficit Watch: CAD Shrinking to 0.2% of GDP, Fiscal Deficit Back on Target

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

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>The new GDP series shows slightly less-strong but stabler growth over the last three years. Real GDP grew 7.8%YoY in Q3/FY26, and 7.6%YoY in Apr-Dec'26 led by 7.7%YoY PCE growth.</li>
<li>Manufacturing has been the standout performer in the new series, outpacing the much larger Services sector (which has also grown 10%+). Higher crude oil prices will erode RGDP/industrial growth. </li>
<li>Assuming war persists through Apr'26, crude prices are likely to be above US$100/bbl in Apr-Jun'26, averaging US$85/bbl in FY27. We expect RGDP growth of 7.2%YoY in Q4/FY26, 7% in FY27. </li>
</ul>


The new GDP series shows slightly less-strong but stabler growth over the last three years. Real GDP grew 7.8%YoY in Q3/FY26, and 7.6%YoY in Apr-Dec'26 led by 7.7%YoY PCE growth.
Manufacturing has been the standout performer in the new series, outpacing the much larger Services sector (which has also grown 10%+). Higher crude oil prices will erode RGDP/industrial growth. 
Assuming war persists through Apr'26, crude prices are likely to be above US$100/bbl in Apr-Jun'26, averaging US$85/bbl in FY27. We expect RGDP growth of 7.2%YoY in Q4/FY26, 7% in FY27. 


S&P BSE SENSEX Index (SENSEX INDEX EQUITY)

India: Revised GDP Series' Strong but Stabler Growth; but Oil to Hurt in FY27