Positive outlook for rest of year

Economic conditions will continue to improve during the last six months of the year, according to respondents to our web poll last week. More than three-quarters of voters say they expect the second half to be as good, or better than, the first half.

China's economic recovery is also trickling down to its Southeast Asian neighbours as its demand for commodities and other goods (particularly electronics) continues to drive export growth throughout the region; and our readers expect that to continue through the rest of the year.

Exports to China ballooned in the first quarter, with Indonesia posting growth of 65%, Malaysia 56% and Thailand 47%.

However, some respondents are pessimistic for the second half, perhaps concerned by the continued aftershocks of the global financial crisis, and particularly the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. Rising food and energy prices also pose a special risk to Asia's emerging (and recovering) economies.

But the pessimists are in a minority. Just 21% say the second half will be worse than the first, while 31% expect more of the same and 48% predict better conditions.

Photo provided by AFP.