2017 may turn out better than expected: Deloitte report

Singapore

THE year 2017 may be better than expected, despite gloomy forecasts elsewhere due in part to protectionist rhetoric from the US, according to Deloitte.

In its first edition of the Voice of Asia series of reports that was released on Friday, Deloitte points out that a stabilising world economy, a global pick-up in trade and a consumer boom in Asia are three factors that suggest that global growth may surprise on the upside this year. Asia, in particular, is set to lead the way.

In fact, Deloitte predicts that global growth could accelerate in 2017, with leading indicators for world trade rising, and benefits of that already spilling into Asia via accelerating exp…