WASHINGTON, April 16 : Asia is more vulnerable to an energy shock than other regions because of its heavy reliance on Middle East fuel, an International Monetary Fund executive said, warning of an acute hit to growth if a prolonged war triggers supply shortages. The region's economies entered 2026 on solid footing due to lower-than-expected U.S. tariffs, a strong tech cycle that has boosted exports and loose financial conditions, said Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF's Asia-Pacific