Economic recovery in CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam) depends on their ability to contain the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from Maybank Kim Eng.

Analysts Linda Liu and Chua Hak Bin kept their forecast for Viet Nam’s GDP growth at +2.9 percent for 2020.(Photo: VNA)

Analysts Linda Liu and Chua Hak Bin kept their forecast for Viet Nam’s GDP growth at +2.9 percent for 2020 but lowered projections for Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. Cambodia specifically will slip into a shallow recession in 2020 (-1 percent) followed by a +5.9 percent growth recovery in 2021, they said.

Meanwhile, while Myanmar and Laos may avoid a recession; however, the recovery remains tentative because of a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Myanmar is the latest hotspot within CLMV as a “monstrous second wave” of the pandemic swept the country since late August. As of 18 October, COVID-19 cases in the country totaled 34,875, with 838 deaths. The country has since re-imposed domestic travel curbs and placed Yangon and nearby provinces under lockdown. Most garment factories in Yangon have also been ordered to shut down until October 20.

The report stated that Myanmar’s 2020 general elections, which are slated for 8 November, takes place when the country is facing a major second wave of COVID-19 infections. Therefore, they may increase healthcare risks, worsen the spread and derail the economic recovery.

Overall, inflation remains positive across the CLMV economies despite the downturn, with Laos’ inflation elevated at above +5 percent amid higher food prices and weaker currency.

The analysts raised inflation forecasts for Laos (+5.5 percent in 2020 and +4.2 percent in 2021) and Cambodia (+2.8 percent in 2020 and  +2.7 percent in 2021), but lowered it for Myanmar (+5.8 percent in 2020). They maintained their headline CPI forecasts for Viet Nam at +3.3 percent in 2020 and +3 percent in 2021.

CLMV currencies saw diverging trends, with strong appreciation in Myanmar kyat (+11.5 percent YTD against the USD) but depreciation in the Laos kip (-3.9 percent). Viet Nam dong (+0.02 percent) and Cambodia riel (-0.9 percent) were largely stable.

Source: VNA