China Rate Debate, Bundesbank Soothes, Singapore Splash: Eco Day

(Bloomberg) -- Welcome to Tuesday, Asia. Here’s the latest news and analysis from Bloomberg Economics to get your day started:

• China’s slowing economy and muted inflation are spurring predictions the central bank will act to lower borrowing costs. Problem is, analysts can’t agree on which rate is the most likely to be cut
• UBS reckons China will again load up its economy with more debt in 2019 to cushion a deepening slowdown
• German economic growth is likely to remain subdued as deteriorating business expectations threaten to hamper company investment -- yet there’s no reason for concern, says the Bundesbank. The ECB’s chief economist added to the chorus signaling concern about Europe’s slowdown, saying rate rises could be delayed
• Singapore Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat used his budget to boost health-care and military spending, gave tax rebates to citizens and tightened rules on foreign workers ahead of an election
• U.K. private-sector workers are set for their biggest wage increase in at least seven years as companies struggle to fill vacancies
• India’s central bank approved an early transfer of part of its profit to the government, which is desperate for cash to fund populist pledges ahead of an election
• Beijing unveiled plans to link Hong Kong and Macau with southern China to make a high-tech megalopolis rivaling Silicon Valley; and here’s what to watch at China’s biggest meeting of the year
• Turkey cut the amount of cash lenders are required to hold in reserves as the central bank tries to rouse credit growth without signaling a more drastic change in its tight policy stance
• The Grand Manhattan embraces the latest in New York living: 39 stories of apartments, a hotel and restaurants. But instead of Central Park views, it’s in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1

To contact the reporter on this story: Michael Heath in Sydney at mheath1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Nasreen Seria at nseria@bloomberg.net, Chris Bourke

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