Opening up a world of opportunity

Why is ASEAN an opportunity?

Now more than ever, companies from all over the world are looking to ASEAN to expand their operations from within the bloc around Asia and globally.

Fast economic and trade growth
Digital growth
A sustainable recovery
ASEAN as a trade bloc is one of the top 5 economies in the world, with its GDP set to exceed US$4tn by 20251. Current exports total US$1.3tn, with forecasts predicting exports to rise to US$2.8tn by 2025, making ASEAN the world's fastest-growing trade bloc2, and is in the centre of the world’s largest free trade agreements including CPTPP and RCEP.
ASEAN is the largest digitally enabled population in the world with its eCommerce forecasted to grow to US$88 billion by 2025. In 2020 alone, 40 million people in Southeast Asia came online for the first time3.
ASEAN is one of the most susceptible regions in the world to climate risk and people are taking note; 58% of ASEAN issuers say environmental and social issues are very important to their organisation, one of the highest percentages among issuers globally4.

Trade Research: Connecting Southeast Asia and the world

International businesses are accelerating their growth into Southeast Asia (SEA). Our Trade Research report captures the sentiment of over 3,500 companies from across nine markets that are either considering or already doing business in the region.

As the disruptive effects of COVID-19 recede, our report reveals high levels of expected growth among foreign firms operating in SEA, a strong appetite for M&A activity, and a widespread confidence in the economic growth potential of the region.

23%

Companies expect to see 23% annual organic growth in SEA markets in 2023 compared to 20% last year

91%

plan to expand into a new SEA market over the next 2 years

71%

expect their organic growth to increase by 20% or more in SEA

Access the full 'Trade Research - Connecting Southeast Asia and the world' report now.

Download the Australian report

How HSBC can help?

Learn about HSBC in ASEAN and find out how we have supported our customer’s growth as well as our in-market offerings.

News & insights

In partnership with Bloomberg Media

Find out the latest insights on ASEAN in partnership with Bloomberg Media

ASEAN insights

Tap into our additional resources on ASEAN

Our ASEAN markets and connections

Read more about our offering across our 6 ASEAN markets and the rest of the world.

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