CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Japan is on Wednesday scheduled to release December figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Imports are expected to rise 8.0 percent on year after climbing 11.4 percent in November. Exports are tipped to fall an annual 7.4 percent after shedding 4.5 percent in the previous month. The trade balance is expected to reflect a deficit of 154.9 billion yen after showing a shortfall of 687.6 billion yen a month earlier. Australia will provide results for November's leading index from Westpac, skilled vacancies for December, plus inflation figures for the fourth quarter of 2011. The Westpac index added 0.1 percent on month in October, while skilled vacancies saw a contraction of 1.0 percent on month in November. Inflation is expected to rise 0.6 percent on quarter and 3.5 percent on year in Q4 after adding 0.2 percent on quarter and 3.3 percent on year in the previous three months. The Philippines will provide November figures for imports and trade balance. Imports are expected to climb 3.8 percent on year after adding 2.3 percent in October. The trade balance is expected to show a deficit of $1.802 billion after posting a $932 million shortfall in the previous month. Singapore will release December inflation data, with forecasts expecting the rate to come in at 5.5 percent - down from 5.7 percent in November. Thailand's central bank will conclude its monetary policy meeting and then announce its decision on interest rates. The bank is widely expected to cut rates by 25 basis points from 3.25 percent to 3.00 percent. Finally, the stock markets in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong remain closed for the Lunar New Year holiday. Hong Kong will return to action on Thursday, while China and Taiwan are closed until Monday.
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