Regional Outlook was first launched in 1992. Designed for the busy executive, professional, diplomat, journalist, and interested observer under severe time constraint, this annual offers a succinct analysis of economic and political trends in the countries of Southeast Asia and the outlook for the prospective two years.

In this endeavour, it is impossible not to be overtaken by events. An analysis such as this serves best when it indicates patterns of development, offers some insight into the unfolding complex dynamics and puts its finger on emerging issues and areas of change. This should provide the necessary background for the reader to interpret new information and data.

In 1996, after initial concern over events in the Taiwan Strait and tensions in U.S.-China relations, attention became focused more on economic issues and developments, in particular the slowdown of East Asian economies, the slow recovery of Japan, and the opportunities and challenges presented by the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) ministerial and leaders meeting in Manila and Subic Bay in November and by the first World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Singapore in December.

Regional Outlook 1997–98 was written by a team from within the Institute and without. We thank Daljit Singh, T.N. Harper, Nick Freeman, Mya Than, Sorpong Peou, Leonard Sebastian, Felix Soh, Naimah Talib, Tan Kim Song, Tin Maung Maung Than, T.L. Tsim and John Wong for their contributions. Responsibility for facts and opinions expressed in Regional Outlook of course rests solely with the individual authors. Their interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the Institute.