A Guide to Conducting Business in ASEAN by 2025

“An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2025” outlines investment opportunities in the rapidly growing ASEAN region, emphasizing economic resilience, FDI trends, and market insights for potential investors.

Key Points

• ASEAN Investment Landscape: The Dezan Shira & Associates publication highlights ASEAN as a dynamic investment region with over 600 million people and robust economic growth, expected to become the fourth-largest global economy by 2030. Key sectors include high-value manufacturing and digital technology.
• Economic Growth and Opportunities: Despite challenges, the ASEAN-6 economies are projected to grow at an average rate of 4.8%, driven by a rising middle class and increasing domestic consumption. Chinese outward direct investment in ASEAN surged by 34.7% in 2023, focusing on manufacturing and infrastructure.
• Strategic Positioning and Reforms: The incoming U.S. administration could reshape trade policies affecting ASEAN’s role as a manufacturing hub. ASEAN economies should diversify exports and strengthen trade agreements while capitalizing on balanced relations with the U.S. and China to enhance foreign direct investment and resilience against external shocks.

“Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2025,” a publication from Dezan Shira & Associates, is designed for global investors looking to navigate the dynamic market landscape of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This region, with over 600 million inhabitants and a rapidly growing middle class, is anticipated to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, surpassing the global average growth rate due to its diverse opportunities in sectors such as high-value manufacturing and digital technology.

Despite challenges like inflation and supply chain disruptions resulting from geopolitical tensions—particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict—the ASEAN-6 economies (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) are projected to maintain an average growth rate of 4.8%. Notably, Vietnam leads this growth, positioning itself alongside the Philippines and Malaysia as key players fueling ASEAN’s economic dynamism. The burgeoning consumer market is set to propel domestic consumption to an impressive US$4 trillion, further attracting substantial Chinese outward direct investment (ODI), which reached US$25.12 billion in 2023.

Looking ahead, shifts in U.S. trade policy under the potential 2025 administration may reshape ASEAN’s trade dynamics. A return to tariffs could incentivize Chinese firms to transfer production to ASEAN, enhancing the region’s manufacturing capabilities while complicating the export landscape for ASEAN nations, particularly in sensitive industries like electronics and textiles. To mitigate these risks, diversification of export markets and reinforcement of regional trade agreements will be crucial.

ASEAN’s balanced relations with both the U.S. and China place it in an advantageous position, with foreign direct investment inflows reaching US$229.8 billion in 2023. The unique combination of a robust consumer base and strategic reforms is key to sustaining growth and resilience amid global challenges, making ASEAN an attractive destination for investors. The publication not only delineates the key areas for establishing a business presence but also outlines critical considerations for foreign investors, providing a comprehensive framework for successful entry into this burgeoning market.

Source : An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2025