“We understand that if the coronavirus cases slow the Chinese economy... they have policy room” to provide more fiscal stimulus, Rhee said. Chinese policymakers have implemented a raft of measures to support the economy as investors feared the epidemic, which has claimed the lives of over 1,300 people in China, could have a damaging impact growth. Rhee said while it was too early to assess the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on Asian economies, it did add to risks to the region’s growth outlook. “It’s not just Asia, ” he said, adding that some European countries were also seeing the number of tourists from China falling. But he said the potential impact on global growth will be discussed by IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva during a Group of 20 finance leaders’ gathering later this month.

Source: The Star February 13, 2020 04:07 UTC