Consumer confidence rises quickly in Asia<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Singapore<\/p>\n
Consumer confidence in the Asia Pacific has rebounded faster than
\nexpected from the severe slump in the first half of the year that
\nwas chiefly blamed on SARS, a survey released on Wednesday said.<\/p>\n
The ACNielsen survey showed more people are optimistic their
\neconomies will further improve in the next 12 months and are
\nwilling to spend extra money for non-essential items and overseas
\nholidays.<\/p>\n
Indians were the most optimistic, with 89 percent of those
\nsurveyed believing their economy will continue to strengthen in
\nthe coming year, followed by Thailand with 84 percent and
\nMalaysia with 76 percent, according to the survey.<\/p>\n
Hong Kong, which was one of the areas to suffer the most from
\nthe Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) viral outbreak, was
\nthe fifth most optimistic with 67 percent saying they were
\nconfident of a sustained rebound.<\/p>\n
\"The incident of SARS and war on Iraq caused a real setback to
\nconsumer confidence a few months ago and led many to think that a
\nrebound in 2003 would be a dream,\" said Frank Martell, president
\nof ACNielsen in the Asia Pacific and emerging markets.<\/p>\n
\"However, as our findings show, cities like Singapore, Hong
\nKong and Taiwan which were hit by SARS, have actually regained
\ntheir momentum relatively quickly, and the people in India and
\nThailand also sound particularly upbeat about their future.\"<\/p>\n
A total 7,230 people in 13 Asian markets were covered by the
\nsurvey, which the marketing information firm carried out in
\nOctober.<\/p>\n
In the survey, personal health overtook the economy as the
\nAsians' main worry, and more people said they were willing to
\nspend extra cash to buy high-tech gadgets such as personal
\ncomputers, mobile phones, digital cameras and flat screen
\ntelevision, the survey said.<\/p>\n
Consumer sentiment emerged strongest in Hong Kong, with 86
\npercent saying they will spend on non-essential items, such as
\nclothes, entertainment and new gadgets.<\/p>\n
People from Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong also said they
\nwould spend more on international travel, compared with six
\nmonths ago when most opted for holidays within the country.<\/p>",
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