Macquarie Group chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake says Australia\u2019s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis is world-beating despite the slow vaccine rollout, and she hopes international borders can re-open next year.<\/p>\n
In the latest upbeat view on the economy from a banking boss, Ms Wikramanayake said the world\u2019s economic recovery was making good progress, and she tipped rapid growth over 2021.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the ongoing risks the Australian economic recovery continues to lead the world, with medical success allowing the government to re-open much of the economy\u201d: Macquarie Group chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake<\/span>Credit:<\/span>Lisa Thompson.<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cFollowing one of the largest economic shocks since the 1930s, the global economic recovery is now well underway, with GDP likely to expand by a rapid 5.5 per cent over the course of this year. In general the countries that have controlled the virus the best have seen the strongest recoveries, with China and Australia outperforming over last year,\u201d Ms Wikramanayake said in an opening address to the annual Macquarie Australia Conference.<\/p>\n \u201cThe US is likely to lead the way in 2021 as fiscal stimulus and the rapid vaccine rollout allow economic re-opening, but Australia is still expecting to this year outperform most other economies.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms Wikramanayake\u2019s remarks highlight the optimism among senior bankers, after Westpac chief Peter King on Monday signalled the lender\u2019s confidence by cutting bad debt provisions and sharply raising its dividend.<\/p>\n Speaking to institutional investors from around the region, Ms Wikramanayake highlighted Australia\u2019s success in containing the virus. She said the experience of countries with higher vaccination rates pointed to further opening-up of economic activity this year, and the eventual re-opening of international borders.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite the ongoing risks the Australian economic recovery continues to lead the world, with medical success allowing the government to re-open much of the economy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile our vaccine rollout has started slowly, very low rates of COVID infection have allowed much of the economy to return toward normal. As the program picks up pace, the success of the mass inoculation programs in places like Israel suggests that we will be able to further normalise as the year progresses and eventually re-open our borders so that some of you can join us here next year in person,\u201d she said, speaking via a webcast.<\/p>\n However, she said there was a growing divergence in the health and economic outcomes being experienced in different nations, as many emerging countries suffered sharp rises in COVID-19 cases.<\/p>\n Macquarie will deliver its annual results on Friday, with markets expecting a profit of about $2.95 billion, close to its highest ever. The bank\u2019s share price has doubled from its lows of last year, and was trading at $160.50 on Tuesday morning. National Australia Bank and ANZ Bank will also report their profits this week, with markets expecting a significant rise in dividends.<\/p>\n Ms Wikramanayake also highlighted the opportunities from disruption, saying the last year underscored how technology was transforming industries including health care, energy, and consumer services.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been eye-opening to witness how we can continue to get the job done and indeed make permanent shifts that lead to better outcomes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Macquarie is one of the world\u2019s biggest players in infrastructure financing, including in renewable energy, and Ms Wikramanayake welcomed the recent signs of increased global momentum towards cutting carbon emissions.<\/p>\n \u201cClimate change is one of the most complex and critical challenges facing the world and it\u2019s heartening to see the material increase in concrete initiatives from countries and companies in the lead-up to the UN\u2019s climate change conference in Glasgow in November,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Start the day with major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion from our leading business journalists delivered to your inbox. Sign up here.<\/p>\nBusiness Briefing<\/h3>\n
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