Singapore - Investor sentiment took a dive in the Asia- Pacific region during the first quarter of the year, with Japanese the least optimistic followed by investors in Taiwan and Singapore, a survey said Wednesday.

Banking group ING Asia-Pacific said that the findings reinforce the reality that the region is not insulated from global market uncertainties.

The sub-prime crisis and credit crunch remain key areas of concern in this part of the world, said the survey of investor beliefs and outlook in 13 markets.

The less buoyant sentiment was tempered by optimism in the fast- growing markets of China and India, reflecting the highest levels of investor optimism in the region.

The overall pan-Asia sentiment index fell to 125 from 135 for the corresponding first quarter of 2007.

"It's premature to anticipate the worst is over, although we expect Asia to be resilient," The Business Times quoted Hou Wey Fook, chief investment officer of ING Private Banking Asia, as saying. "In the longer term, Asia's economies will remain robust, driven by inter-regional trade and domestic demand."

Asia was forecast to continue posting gross domestic product growth between 3 and 9 per cent across the region for 2008. (dpa)