Southeast Asia: A Compelling Case for Investment

A young labor force, infrastructure enhancements and a growing middle class have positioned much of Southeast Asia for growth. Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar all stand to benefit as manufacturers expand outside of China to lower labor and production costs. Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines will also see an increase in middle class demand for imports such as cars and electronic devices, and for services related to health, education and leisure. As China slows, are these nations set to become Asia’s next growth engine? What does the increased demand for pricey consumer goods and services mean for investors? And what can policymakers and political leaders do to bring their countries to the next level of development?