Rate cuts predicted

Rate cuts predicted

HONG KONG (Reuter): Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia chief
economist Jim Walker said yesterday he expected a drop in
interest rates this year in Thailand, Indonesia and the
Philippines, little change in Singapore and a rise in Malaysia.

Walker, speaking at the start of the brokerage firm's annual
investment seminar, told reporters he expected a drop of 75 to
100 basis points in Thai interest rates this year, with sharper
declines next year.

He said he expected the rate cuts regardless of where U.S.
interest rates move.