Central banks in Southeast Asia may
be forced to abandon this year’s monetary easing and raise
interest rates before their north Asian peers in 2013, as rising
inflation risks overshadow the current economic gloom.
“This year has been very difficult for everyone,” said Do,
who had to raise pay 20 percent for harvest pickers, to 120,000
dong ($5.75) a day. “We need funds for cultivation, but we have
limited access to bank lending. You can get a loan if you have
good connections. Otherwise, it’ll be little or no money.”