IMF Trims Forecasts for Asia, Urges Stronger Currencies - Wall Street Journal

BY MARTIN VAUGHAN

SINGAPORE—The International Monetary Fund cut its growth forecasts for Asian economies in a report released Tuesday, and said stronger currencies are needed to keep inflation under wraps.

The IMF now projects 8.2% gross-domestic-product growth this year and 8% growth in 2012 for emerging Asian economies, versus a June forecast for the region of 8.4% for both 2011 and 2012. The measure includes the South Asian subcontinent and excludes Japan and the "newly industrialized economies" of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

Those four are predicted to grow at a slower 4.7%, versus 5.1% projected in June, and tailing off ...