World Economic Forum predicts strong growth in ASEAN region

Participants at the World Economic Forum on East Asia were told that the fundamentals for growth in ASEAN are strong. Its young population, natural resources, rising consumption and proximity to China, among other factors, have positioned it to be an engine of growth in the future. However, there are a number of barriers to unlocking this economic future: disagreements related to the South China Sea, as well as political unrest in Thailand, demonstrate the potential fragility of this outlook. “We need regional stability and peace. From an investor’s point of view, that is number one”, said Victor L. L. Chu,