Asia Economist and CEO, Centennial Asia Advisors

Manu Bhaskaran

Mr. Bhaskaran is a leading Asian economist based in Singapore with more than 30 years of experience in studying economic, political and security issues that shape the business environment in Asia. He co-ordinates the Asian business of Washington DC-based strategic advisory firm, Centennial Group, directing its Asian economic research practice which provides in-depth analysis of macro trends in Asia. He works extensively with investment institutions, government agencies and corporations. Mr. Bhaskaran regularly presents his views on the economic, political and business environment in Asia at business conferences and in-house briefings. He has conducted studies on a wide range of subjects including: consumer finance in Asia; Asian integration; regional and country-specific political and economic outlooks; the Impact of China on Asia; portfolio capital flows in emerging markets, amongst many others. He is as a member of the Regional Advisory Group for Asia and the Pacific of the International Monetary Fund. Mr. Bhaskaran is a regular columnist for The Edge (Singapore) and holds positions in think tanks including being Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS); Vice President of the Economics Society of Singapore, and Council Member of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA). Mr. Bhaskaran serves on the boards of CIMB Investment Bank and Japfa Limited.

Asia Economist and CEO

Can Hong Kong and Singapore Remain Pre-Eminent Global Hubs?

Singapore: Stars Are Aligned for New Policies in 2022

Singapore: Multiple Catalysts, Upside Surprise to 2022 Growth Likely

Singapore: When Will MAS Normalise Policy?

A Prudent, Safe Budget, But Is It What Singapore Needs?

Singapore: Sizable Labour Market Slack Despite Growth Rebound in 2021

Centennial Asia Advisors

At Centennial Asia Advisors, we tell it like it is. We have no vested interests, no need for a China wall, and no reason to skew our outlook any other way. With over 30 years experience covering Asia’s political economy, you can be sure our conclusions and analyses are based on the unadulterated facts. Through years of fine-tuning our research methodologies, we deliver a quality of macroeconomic analysis few other houses can match.

Centennial Asia Advisors is an independent research and advisory firm that works with governments, multilateral institutions, financial firms and leading MNCs.

Economic Policy and Strategic Advisors

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>The abrupt about-turn by Heng Swee Keat, the PM-designate, has sent shockwaves through Singapore's highly measured polity. Trade and industry minister Chan Chun Sing is believed to be in pole position to pick up the baton from Heng during the looming cabinet reshuffle, due in 2 weeks' time.</li>
<li>Strong political institutions will help Singapore weather the current political uncertainty. But the latest development highlights deep-seated weaknesses in the political set-up in Singapore.</li>
<li>Changes to informal norms of political contestations could usher in more divisions within the ruling party over time. The over-reliance on a narrow and select group of individuals at the highest echelons of power leaves the party with little room for error.</li>
</ul>


The abrupt about-turn by Heng Swee Keat, the PM-designate, has sent shockwaves through Singapore's highly measured polity. Trade and industry minister Chan Chun Sing is believed to be in pole position to pick up the baton from Heng during the looming cabinet reshuffle, due in 2 weeks' time.
Strong political institutions will help Singapore weather the current political uncertainty. But the latest development highlights deep-seated weaknesses in the political set-up in Singapore.
Changes to informal norms of political contestations could usher in more divisions within the ruling party over time. The over-reliance on a narrow and select group of individuals at the highest echelons of power leaves the party with little room for error.


Singapore: Snag in Succession Points to Deeper Weaknesses in Political System