SINGAPORE — Singapore's central bank tightened its monetary policy settings on Tuesday (April 14), flagging the risk that an Iran war-fuelled energy shock could push up core inflation even as mounting pressure on growth was underscored by a first-quarter economic contraction.The Middle East conflict has upended global growth and inflation trajectories, throwing interest-rate expectations into disarray. As a small trade-dependent hub, Singapore is especially vulnerable to supply-chain disruptions and volatile energy prices.The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it would increase slightly the rate of appreciation of the S$ Nominal Effective Exchange Rate Index (S$NEER) policy band, in line with what most analysts polled by Reuters had expected. MAS said there would be no change to its width and the level at which it is centred.«There are considerable risks around the outlook for inflation and growth,» MAS said, adding that the Middle East situation «is evolving and remains highly uncertain». Read more