Ho Chi Minh Times

Friday, Jan 17, 2025

ASEAN+3 Think-Tank: Digital Wallet Scheme Impact Depends on Funding, Shifts in Spending

The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) has released its annual report, which predicts that domestic demand will drive growth in the ASEAN+3 region in 2024.
The report highlights the importance of funding for the digital wallet policy, which was a major campaign promise of the Pheu Thai party in the latest elections.

AMRO's Allen Ng emphasizes that the success of the digital wallet scheme will depend on its financing method.

The text discusses the potential economic impact of the government's digital wallet cash transfer scheme.

If the spending from the scheme replaces expenditures in areas like education or infrastructure, the overall economic impact could be limited due to a decreased multiplier effect.

The scheme, which was initially planned to be funded by a 500 billion baht off-budget loan, has been cancelled.

The government is finalizing the details of the scheme for submission to the next committee meeting, and the digital wallet is expected to reach recipients by the end of 2024.

Thailand's government is considering using funds from two fiscal years to finance handouts to boost the economy.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin urged the Bank of Thailand to lower interest rates to help economic revitalization.

The decision to change interest rates will depend on inflation, growth risks, and financial stability, with the latter still a concern due to high household indebtedness.

Growth has been below expectations and inflation has been lower than anticipated, but financial stability remains an issue.

The text suggests that Ng, an analyst, believes there is a case for the central bank to reconsider its monetary policy assessment.

Many analysts anticipate the central bank may make a move as early as April to adjust its policy.
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