Each country in ASEAN has its own potential, which can bring investment projections from countries outside the region. Bearing in mind ASEAN has renewable and nonrenewable resources that can be developed and brings in investors.
For your information, ASEAN is the fifth largest economic region in the world, with a population of more than 650 million people and a GDP of up to 3.36 trillion US Dollars (2021). This aligns with the theme: ASEAN MATTERS: Epicentrum of Growth, which expects ASEAN to demonstrate its capabilities in the region and the world.
Economic growth in the ASEAN region can continue and increase yearly, especially if the economy is supported by trade, consumption, and investment activities open to other countries. It is possible, especially since ASEAN has abundant natural and renewable resources, so it can open investment opportunities from countries outside the region.
The following are investment opportunities in the ASEAN region which are considered very potential:
Electric Vehicle Ecosystem
Currently, many countries are competing to produce and switch to electric vehicles to reduce the impact of carbon gasses on the environment. This is one of the most profitable investment opportunities in the ASEAN region.
This is because the ASEAN region, especially Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, has natural resources that are the main raw materials for electric vehicle batteries, considering that the three ASEAN countries have the largest nickel reserves in the world. So it has a great opportunity to attract investment from various electric vehicle manufacturers, within and outside the ASEAN region.
Tin Mine
The tin mining sector also has great potential to bring investment to the ASEAN region. Besides being used as a coating for steel, tin is highly demanded by the automotive and electrical industries worldwide. This is because tin is an important component in the raw material for motorized vehicle parts.
The interesting fact is that the average ASEAN region has abundant tin resources. For example, Indonesia can supply 30% of the world's tin needs. Meanwhile, Myanmar is estimated to have up to 1 million tons of tin reserves. Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, and Thailand are also known as tin-producing countries in the ASEAN region.
Fisheries Sector
Please note that most of the ASEAN region is sea. It gives the fisheries sector a great opportunity to invest in the ASEAN region. Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, and Cambodia are the largest producing countries in the world. In fact, Indonesia is the 3rd largest fish producer in the world. In 2022, Indonesia's fishery production reached 24.85 million tons.
Renewable Energy
Investment opportunities in the ASEAN region also come from renewable energy resources. Renewable energy resources range from geothermal, wind, bio-energy, sunlight to running water. If properly harnessed, renewable energy can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ASEAN and the world. In fact, the ASEAN region has renewable energy resources that have not been much developed, reaching 17,000 gigawatts.
Digital Economy
ASEAN countries are also known for their rapidly growing digital economy. This can be seen from the many emerging e-commerce, online transportation, and digital wallets that have contributed to the development of the digital economy in the region. In addition, five ASEAN countries have agreed on cross-border payments through QRIS. This will certainly open up investment opportunities in the digital economy sector,
Photo: Shutterstock/Fahroni