Singapore 2018 GDP outlook more stable

The Singapore economy expanded 3.1 per cent in the last three months of 2017, lifted once again by robust manufacturing growth. This was higher than economist expectations of 2.6 per cent growth but moderated from the 5.4 per cent expansion in the preceding quarter, according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry's (MTI) advance estimates out on Tuesday.

The latest numbers come after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his New Year message on Sunday that the economy expanded 3.5 per cent for the whole of 2017 - more than double initial forecasts. This was thanks to an upswing in global growth, Mr Lee added. Here are some comments from economists on the latest data.

"Overall, we continue to see manufacturing growth tapering off, but still remaining a smaller support. At the same time, construction is likely to bottom out, as the property market recovers. The longer trend of Singapore relying more on services growth is likely to resume starting from 2018.