consider the impact on growth, inflation, interest rates and the current account;

examine the opportunities for policy measures to deal with the slowdown and the risks associated with these measures;

look at the structural changes taking place in the regional trading environment and explore their contribution to sustaining growth in the region, both in the short term and the long term; and

provide a long term view of the evolving economic and demographic structure of the region, which provides a useful platform for considering regional strategies.


Mr. Subir Gokarn is responsible for shaping Standard & Poor’s macroeconomic views in the Asia Pacific and expanding its research and commentary on the region’s rapidly growing economies. He recently assumed this position after being Chief Economist of the Credit Rating and Information Services of India Ltd (CRISIL) for over five years, a responsibility that has been integrated into his new role. He has been writing a fortnightly column on current economic issues for the Business Standard, a daily business newspaper, for over ten years. Mr. Gokarn’s views on the economy are regularly cited in print and electronic media.