According to the bank’s latest report, growth in the East Asia and Pacific region is expected to remain solid, slowing marginally to 6.3% in 2018 and to an average of 6.1% in 2019-2020.

Conditions are mostly favourable for the region in 2018, with robust global trade, moderate borrowing costs and sustained capital inflows. 

Private consumption continues to be supported by solid consumer confidence and rising household wealth, amid mild inflation.

Regional financial markets have remained buoyant, despite volatility in early and mid-2018 related to the prospects of monetary policy tightening in advanced economies and escalating trade tensions. 

Bond spreads in some countries have increased, following volatility in stock markets, but remain close to low levels of 2017. 

Domestic monetary conditions have tightened somewhat and prudential policies have kept credit growth in check.