Asian Development Outlook 2013

The annual Asian Development Outlook provides a comprehensive analysis of economic performance in the past year and offers forecasts for the next 2 years for the 45 economies in Asia and the Pacific that make up developing Asia. This edition sees developing Asia bouncing back from the slowdown in the previous year, buoyed by domestic demand and greater regional trade. Prices are stable but must be monitored amid continued global liquidity. Further, the region’s recovery remains vulnerable to shocks from budget wrangling in the United States, austerity fatigue in the euro area, and border disputes in Asia. To strengthen its resilience, developing Asia must examine its rising energy needs in light of its new role as a major player in commodity markets. Even as regional governments implement policies to restrain demand, they need to aggressively explore new supply sources and technology, and progressively integrate regional energy markets and infrastructure, to ensure that the region rises to the challenges of the Clean Asian Century.