Australian investors should look at ASEAN as a compelling investment destination due to its vibrant growth and rise in economic capacity.
The ASEAN Exchanges, led by Bursa Malaysia and its broker partner, Macquarie Capital, who hosted the Invest ASEAN Conference 2024 outlined the opportunities the block had to offer for investors especially in the capital markets. The event also provided institutional investors based in Australia with an opportunity to better understand ASEAN’s economic and market prospects. The platform also profiled ASEAN corporates through one-on-one engagement session.
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, highlighted ASEAN’s vibrant economy, emphasising its potential for sustainable growth towards a green economy and the need for substantial infrastructure investment to facilitate the transition. With trillions of dollars needed in new infrastructure by 2040 and a carbon-neutral future offering significant GDP gains and job creation, ASEAN presents many opportunities for Australian investors and businesses to participate in the region’s growth and development.
During a panel discussion following the Prime Minister’s address, the CEOs and top management of the ASEAN Exchanges discussed their pursuit of different growth opportunities in their respective nations, with a particular focus on making investing in the region more attractive. Opportunities discussed included increasing retail investment through reforms, providing investor education, encouraging standardised Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) reporting and working together to green their supply chains. “ASEAN, the world’s fifth largest economy with over 670 million people and an estimated AUD5.5 trillion (RM17 trillion) collective GDP, offers Australian businesses vast potential in trade and investment.
In driving sustainable growth, members of the ASEAN Exchanges have undertaken initiatives such as the ASEAN-Interconnected Sustainability Ecosystem to promote sustainable development through common ESG metrics. This increased
transparency will attract responsible investors, creating even greater investment opportunities for Australian businesses committed to sustainability,” said Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia, who was one of the panellists.
Invest ASEAN Melbourne 2024 attracted 160 delegates including fixed income, equity and private equity investors. The special event was organised in conjunction with the ASEAN- Australia Week run in parallel with the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, which was held earlier between 4-6 March 2024 in Melbourne.
