Empowering business in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is experiencing rapid growth of the Internet, digital, social media and mobile activities. With more than 400 million Internet users in and double-digit growth in most segments and most countries of the region, the digital sector is booming and attracting a lot of interests.
Southeast Asia is currently experiencing a boom in the technology sector that is led by six unicorn startups. Having become giants in a only a few year, these companies are now regional and global leaders in their respective fields: from e-commerce to ride-hailing, from gaming to travel and digital payments.
Opening a new set of opportunities for ASEAN countries, South Korea is now looking at new ways to develop economic ties in Southeast Asia. As the government scouts for new ways to diversify trade and economic ties, businesses from Southeast Asian countries could find new openings to work with South Korean companies.
Even though it is a developing area, Southeast Asia is already home to tens of billionaires who have built business empires across the region. Having grown their companies by working with their families or as sole entrepreneurs, ASEAN billionaires are at the head of some of the largest corporations of the region.
American companies in ASEAN are benefiting from the region’s growth potential and experiencing its dynamism. With an optimistic outlook for Southeast Asia’s economic and business growth, US businesses share their sentiments, perspectives and challenges in this insightful report.
Though expectations were high, the growth of Southeast Asia’s digital economy is beating them all. With more than 330 million internet users and double or triple digits growth in several major markets online, the region is confirming the digital boom with the emergence of a first round of local unicorns.
Good infrastructures are a key to economic activity and development. To boost their growth, ASEAN countries are planning to invest heavily in infrastructures in the coming years: not only will they provide better transport, power and sanitation but also interesting opportunities for suppliers of building materials.
Co-working has emerged as a new and interesting method for independents, startups, entrepreneurs and even certain multinationals to manage their work habits and spaces. Rapidly expanding throughout Southeast Asia, co-working is attracting the appetites of global leaders of this new industry in the region.
Taken as a single entity, ASEAN represents the world’s third largest market and one the largest economy. Here are some infographics to dive deeper in international economic and demographic comparisons with the US, EU, China, Japan and India, as well as more details on ASEAN countries relative size and economies.
Cities and urbanization are some of the most important drivers of Southeast Asia’s economic dynamism, environmental, societal and cultural change. To better understand the challenge and opportunities they bring, here are 4 infographics summarizing urban trends on the demography and rural exodus in ASEAN.