Economists expect MAS to tighten monetary policy in April or July, after keeping settings unchanged in January

[SINGAPORE] Economists expect the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to tighten monetary policy in April or July after keeping settings unchanged in January, amid a more optimistic growth outlook and higher inflation projections.

Though most expect a move in its April meeting, the central bank could also wait until July to act, they said.

At its quarterly policy meeting on Thursday (Jan 29), MAS chose to maintain the prevailing rate of appreciation of the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate (S$NEER) policy band, with no change to its width and the level at which it is centred.