Surprise export dive sparks fears of revision in GDP outlook

Singapore

REGIONAL economies were behind the shock double-digit drop in Singapore's March exports, even as economists warned of a worsening drag on full-year economic growth.

With Asia sneezing, the Republic may well be catching a cold from the chill that's set into global electronics.

Non-oil domestic exports plunged by 11.7 per cent year on year last month, according to data from Enterprise Singapore (ESG) on Wednesday.

The slide - the worst since October 2016 and far below the 2.2 per cent dip that was forecast by private economists - returns exports to negative territory, after a month's reprieve.

The export…