Dynamic and Diverse: Growth Opportunities in Southeast Asia
Kai Neuber, Baden-Württemberg’s Representative in Singapore for ASEAN, shares insights on business potential in the fast-growing region in the Meeting Point BW_i podcast.
With around 680 million inhabitants across ten member states, ASEAN is one of the most exciting alliances in the world. Especially in light of current geopolitical shifts and the desire of many companies to become less dependent on China, the association, founded in 1967 for Southeast Asia, is increasingly coming into focus. According to Kai Neuber, the market entry potential in the region is enormous: “ASEAN is a relatively large economic area with a growing population that continues to be on an economic upswing.”
Singapore is considered the economic hub and melting pot of the region. The city-state not only boasts one of the best airports and the world’s second-largest port, but is also the third-largest financial center globally. Promising business opportunities can also be found in other ASEAN member states.
“It is a very heterogeneous and relatively large region,” Neuber emphasizes. “Singapore’s population reflects the diversity found throughout the region.” This applies not only to the ethnic, cultural, and religious variety, but also to the economic opportunities. In the Meeting Point BW_i podcast, the representative presents trending industries across the member states, as well as the significant potential of the newly established special economic zone in Johor, located on the border between Singapore and Malaysia — a promising entry point also for companies from southwestern Germany.
Translated from the original article by Janet Ghotoyian, published on 7 March 2025
🎧Listen to the podcast Meeting Point BW_i – ASEAN Episode: Play Episode
Please note that the podcast is in German.