Asian growth expected to slow to 5% this year

Hong Kong property stocks are strengthening on the back of US interest rate cuts. The Hang Seng property index is up 7.68% in sterling terms compared to a fall of 4.22% for the year to 7 March. Abigail Rotheroe, director at Zurich Scudder and fund manager of the Threadneedle Asia Growth Fund, says: "In 2001, we expect a slower year for Asian growth than 2000. We expect growth to slow to 5% this year compared to 7% last year across the region." However, China is one region that has been quite resilient to slow growth. Michael Bunker, investment director at GAM, says: "We are extremely opt...