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China and the global economy Why ignoring China is no longer an option..... Robin Bew, Chief Economist June 2004. The global outlook. Key points for 2004-05. World growth fantastic best for 20 years in 2004 developed and emerging markets surging ahead Exceptional times cannot last
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China and the global economy Why ignoring China is no longer an option..... Robin Bew, Chief Economist June 2004
Key points for 2004-05 • World growth fantastic • best for 20 years in 2004 • developed and emerging markets surging ahead • Exceptional times cannot last • tipping point may have already passed • international liquidity is tightening • coping with the transition • global policy tightening • will slow world growth • Slowdown likely, but risks of worse
United States outlook • Recent performance stunning • more to come in the year ahead • But policy stimulus being withdrawn • strong momentum, but balance sheets? • Restraining factors • debts are high, spare capacity, assets prices vulnerable, external deficit • 2004 are great, but business conditions tougher in 2005-06?
Japan • Domestic economy is restructuring • under cover of export led growth • But needs more time • SME weakness, overcapacity, no pricing power • cannot yet offset export slowdown • Export deceleration will stall reform • still a long way to go before domestic recovery in place
Euro zone outlook • Only a sluggish recovery • exports • but the euro • restocking, capex • business subdued • consumers • jobs, pensions • Policy boost? • debt levels • pension fears • Reform efforts? GDP growth, % Y-on-Y
The emerging world • Benefiting from OECD pickup • import demand surging • Selling into other emerging markets • regional trade dynamics • But risk appetite has fallen sharply • past 18mths were extraordinary • but investors now leaving • spreads rising
Key points for 2004-05 • World growth fantastic • China is 6th largest economy at market prices, 2nd at PPP, growing at 9% • Exceptional times cannot last • Chinese policy tightening impacts domestically and also elsewhere • Commodities, trade • Slowdown likely, but risks of worse • Soft landings are hard to engineer • some investors will be hurt
The business response—FDI • EIU survey of 500 business executives’ foreign direct investment strategies • China the key focus • New consumer markets, low-cost labour, new business markets • India the challenger • Skilled labour, R&D, outsourcing • US & eurozone dominate ‘operating criteria’ • Supply chain efficiencies, acquisitions
The business experience • Gap between expectations and reality • China is not an easy business environment • Regulation, competition, local protection, legal framework, infrastructure, skill levels • Macroeconomic stability not assured • Irrational exuberance • Foreign and domestic • But long term potential is enormous
China FDI forecasts • China will attract US$67bn per year of FDI in 2004-08 • Second only to the US • FDI will fund 7% of total Chinese investment • China’s share of world exports to rise to 10% • Improvements in operating environment should allow enhanced profitability