(dpa) - Investor sentiment took a dive in the Asia- Pacific
region during the first quarter of the year, with Japanese the least optimistic
followed by investors in Taiwan and Singapore, a survey said Wednesday.
Banking group ING Asia-Pacific said that the findings
reinforce the reality that the region is not insulated from global market
uncertainties.
The sub-prime crisis and credit crunch remain key areas of concern in this part
of the world, said the survey of investor beliefs and outlook in 13 markets.
The less buoyant sentiment was tempered by optimism in the fast- growing
markets of China and India, reflecting the highest levels of investor optimism
in the region.
The overall pan-Asia sentiment index fell to 125 from 135 for the corresponding
first quarter of 2007.
"It's premature to anticipate the worst is over, although we expect Asia
to be resilient," The Business Times quoted Hou Wey Fook, chief investment
officer of ING Private Banking Asia, as saying. "In the longer
term, Asia's economies will remain robust, driven by inter-regional trade and
domestic demand."
Asia was forecast to continue posting gross domestic product
growth between 3 and 9 per cent across the region for 2008.