All eyes are on Asia as investors assess what effect the global slowdown has had on the region. Fears of a hard landing in China have worried its Asian neighbours while the European sovereign debt crisis has been a constant cause for concern. While many hope Asia is experiencing a temporary blip, there are still fears its growth rates may have been permanently derailed.
The economic news out of Europe continues to be one step forward and two steps back. In September 2012, the head of the European Central Bank announced a programme for purchasing the sovereign debt of weak euro zone nations, creating some cautious optimism.
While the Asian financial crisis of 1998 may be a distant memory, the current economic malaise in Europe is a startling reminder of what could happen if the European Union does not manage the situation and allows the crisis to wallow.
A common impression of Japan, especially among overseas investors, is that it is “too big to be ignored”.
In writing this publisher’s note at the start of 2013, I would like to share with you some of the topics we at Institutional Real Estate, Inc consider important going forward, and that we will be following and keeping you updated on this year.