21.   Nizam Idris, a regional economist with research house IDEAglobal, said US orders, which remain weak, have greater impact on Asia than retail sales.

22.   Several major Southeast Asian countries risk being marginalized unless their economic reforms keep pace with their neighbors, World Bank regional chief economist Homi Kharas said here Tuesday.

23.   Song Seng Wun, a regional economist with G.K. Goh Research Pte.

24.   Song Seng Wun, regional economist for investment house HG Asia, said trade figures were expected to be anaemic until at least June.