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Iran war raises inflation risks, tips scales for MAS to go for stronger Singdollar in April: economists

Analysts now expect a 50 bps steepening of the S$NEER policy band slope

Tessa Oh
Published Fri, Mar 13, 2026 · 07:00 AM
    • Singapore's next monetary policy statement will be released on or before Apr 14.
    • Singapore's next monetary policy statement will be released on or before Apr 14. PHOTO: BT FILE

    [SINGAPORE] The escalating conflict in the Middle East and sharp rise in crude oil prices have tilted the odds in favour of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) tightening monetary policy at its review in April, analysts said.

    Several economists now expect MAS to steepen the slope of the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate (S$NEER) policy band at the meeting, in what would be its first tightening move since October 2022.

    The next monetary policy statement will be released on or before Apr 14.