Asia Regional Integration Center

Infrastructure spending and continued export gains boosted growth in 2019. Growth is estimated to have accelerated to 5.1% in 2019 from 4.8% in 2018. Inflation nearly doubled, to 4.9% from 2.6% in 2018 with currency depreciation. Prices rose sharply toward yearend. The current account deficit narrowed from the equivalent of 6.8% of GDP in 2018 to an historic low of 4.5% in 2019. It should fall further by 2021 with the continued decline in merchandise imports. Zero growth is projected for 2020 as monetary tightening and the impact of COVID-19 constrain consumption and limit expansion in tourism and trade. Growth should recover to 4.5% in 2021 as increased bank credit to households, higher foreign direct investment, and a rebound in worker remittances fuel domestic demand.