India could be bright spot amid cloudy global economic outlook

SOME external events in recent weeks have given cause for concern in terms of how they may impact Singapore's economy in the near future.

British Prime Minister Theresa May is about to start negotiations on the UK's departure from the European Union from a much weakened position after the Conservative Party's poor showing in last week's general election. The uncertainties over how the Brexit negotiations will go have increased. Even Mrs May's own political position is fragile, and fresh elections cannot be ruled out.

Then, expectations of US President Donald Trump's promises of tax reforms, easier regulations and a fiscal injection into the American economy have been dashed. Embroiled in political scandals, the White House has been unable to push its economic agenda. "We can make a good guess that mostly, it (the Trump administration) will fail to live up to the promises he made for bold changes," wrote Johan Jooste, chief investment officer at Bank of Singapore.