Updated: 3rd April 2009, 1600 hrs
MAS expected to devalue SGD
The Monetary Authority of Singapore is likely to devalue the Sing dollar in its upcoming monetary policy meeting.
And experts are expecting a downward re-centring of the sing dollar policy band by 150 basis points - even if the economy goes into a deeper recession.
Commodity prices have come off highs recorded in 2007.
Barclays Capital regional economist Leong Wai Ho says this has brought down Singapore's monthly consumer price index significantly.
"February was 1.9 per cent, significantly lower than 6.5 per cent peak last year. Rising joblessness as well as rising underemployment, which refers to the number of workers having to take unpaid leave, has risen sharply since November last year."
Regional currencies are also expected to slide against the dollar.
Mr Leong says these two factors are likely to motivate the Singapore central bank to devalue the local currency.
Barclays expects this to drive the US-to-Sing dollar rate upwards to the mid 1-50s in the next 3 months.