SINGAPORE -- 10/27/09 --
Consumer confidence continues to grow in
Southeast Asian countries as their economies rebound from the global
recession. The Consumer Confidence Index, as measured by InsightAsia
Research Group, rose in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Confidence in China dropped after the abundant optimism in the second
quarter that was fuelled by large government support, but Chinese consumers
are still confident in their economy.
InsightAsia, one of Asia Pacific's leading market research groups --
specializing in quantitative, qualitative research, brand development,
business analytics and consultancy -- surveys 9,200 people across five
Asian countries on a yearly basis to produce The Asian Consumer Confidence
Index. Reports can be downloaded at www.insightasia.com.
Confidence in economic conditions increased particularly sharply in
Singapore. In the first quarter Singapore had the lowest score of all
countries in the survey at 62, as predictions were particularly pessimistic
for the city state with an open economy. However continuing signs of
recovery have led to strong increases of consumer confidence in the second
and third quarter. Singapore boosted its index with 22 points in the third
quarter, from 88 to 110.
Consumers in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand also became more confident,
albeit with more modest increases than Singapore. Indonesian consumers are
slightly negative about current economic conditions, but their growing
optimism about the future pushed the index up from 97 to 105. The Consumer
Confidence Index of Malaysia showed only a marginal improvement from 94 to
96. Thailand was not only impacted by the global recession, but has also
been disrupted by political unrest in the latter part of 2008 and the first
months of 2009. Consumer confidence in Thailand is now slowly catching up
with Indonesia and Malaysia, as the index grew from 78 to 88, but political
stability is a requirement for further growth.
China is the only country that registered a decrease. Chinese consumers
were very optimistic in the second quarter, following a very strong
governmental economic support policy and improved bank loan conditions. The
high Consumer Confidence Index of 123 in June was corrected to 111 in
September. The Chinese economy is still strong, but a decreased stock
market index and the announcement of lower government support have curbed
Chinese consumer confidence somewhat.
The Asian Consumer Confidence Index by InsightAsia demonstrates that while
Asia continues its recovery from the global recession, consumers become
more optimistic about the future. Economic forecasts have become rosier,
media reports have taken a more positive tone and consumers have adjusted
their views. As a result the Consumer Confidence Index grew in Indonesia,
Thailand and particularly Singapore. Though Chinese consumers came to
realize that their optimism in the second quarter was somewhat too strong,
their mindset is still positive.
Asian economies have been the first to bounce back after the financial
crisis and are pulling other economies up with them. As the economies of
the United States and Europe are still struggling, further recovery of
Asian markets is of importance on a global level. Therefore the positive
trend of consumer confidence in Asia is encouraging news for the global
economy.
The Asian Consumer Confidence Index is managed by Maarten Kallenberg. He
can be contacted for more information at
consumerconfidence@insightasia.com.
Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1098793
Contact:
Maarten Kallenberg
consumerconfidence@insightasia.com
