Inflation could return to positive territory before year end: economists

Singapore's transition towards Phase Three economic reopening may spur more consumer spending in coming months.

Sharon See

Published Fri, Oct 23, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Singapore

SINGAPORE'S deflationary pressures continued to ease in September, with the authorities expecting core inflation to turn "mildly positive" in 2021 after it has remained in negative territory for eight consecutive months.

Core inflation, which excludes accommodation and private transport, inched up to -0.1 per cent year on year in September, from -0.3 per cent the previous month, according to fresh data from the Singapore Department of Statistics on Friday.

The milder pace of decline was mainly driven by smaller reductions in the costs of services and electricity and gas, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Ministry of Trade and Industry …