ADB sees modest growth impact on Asia if Middle East conflict lasts about a month

try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry Oil prices dip after 5-day winning streak; set for weekly surge on Iran conflict Trump replaces Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem Wall Street ends lower on escalating Iran conflict, report of AI export curbs Trump says he must be involved in selecting Iran’s next leader (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) ADB sees modest growth impact on Asia if Middle East conflict lasts about a month By Economy Published 03/05/2026, 09:47 PM Updated 03/06/2026, 12:19 AM ADB sees modest growth impact on Asia if Middle East conflict lasts about a month 0 CL -1.33% By Karen Lema and Mikhail Flores MANILA, March 6 - The Asian Development Bank’s chief economist said on Friday that if the Middle East conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz last only about a month, as some U.S. projections suggest, the impact on growth in developing Asia would be modest, with only a slight and temporary "downward blip" in annual GDP. "Most of the scenarios … suggest that the impacts will be, of course, negative, but relatively modest," ADB Chief Economist Albert Park told Reuters in an interview, adding that even under pessimistic assumptions, the shock would not reduce regional growth by a full percentage point. Developing Asia consists of 46 economies ranging from China and India to Georgia and Samoa, but excluding Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Park said the risks would rise sharply if the conflict drags on, warning that it could drive up energy prices, cause greater disruptions to shipping and trade, weaken global demand, and bring more volatility to the financial markets. Park noted that 80% of the oil and gas passing through Hormuz are bound for Asia, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to extended supply disruptions. A prolonged crisis could also spill into air travel and cargo routes, on top of existing restrictions over Russian airspace, adding strain to tourism‑reliant and trade‑dependent economies, Park said. Before the con...