EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
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Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its growth forecast for South Korea from its estimate in January of 3.1 percent to 3.6 percent, citing robust exports and the country's fiscal policy support.
The revision was preceded by an IMF report on the outcome of its annual consultation with South Korea in January.
According to the IMF, South Korea is expected to recover this year, due to its gradual normalization of COVID-related factors and stronger external demand, while taking into account the anticipated impact of the latest 15 trillion-won extra budget.
The IMF's projection of Asia's fourth-largest economy is much higher than growth estimates by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The OECD expected the South Korean economy to expand by 3.3 percent this year, and the BOK forecast it to grow 3 percent.
The South Korean economy contracted one percent last year, its first drop since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis.
Exports rose 9.5 percent on-year in February for its fourth consecutive month of gain, but domestic demand and the job market remain sluggish, with the service sector hit hard by the pandemic.
