ASEAN Rising with Matthew Barsing
Independent commentary on ASEAN business, capital, technology, trade, geopolitics and execution economics.
Founder, author and commentator on ASEAN.
Australian-born and based in Malaysia since 2001, Matthew Barsing is a business leader, author, former Head of Foreign Direct Investment at MDEC, board advisor and commentator on ASEAN business, investment and policy. Author of Unleashing Malaysia's Economic Potential. Advisor to businesses, governments and investors across ASEAN and Central Asia.
- Ex-Head of FDI, MDEC
- Published author
- Board advisor
- NST columnist
- 17M+ views / 12 months
Six pillars. One region.
Equities, debt, IPOs and capital flows across the eleven ASEAN exchanges.
Data centres, AI infrastructure, semiconductors and the region's digital backbone.
Supply chains, FTAs and the tariff actions reshaping Southeast Asian exports.
ASEAN centrality, US, China competition and the diplomacy of the region.
FDI, sovereign capital and the private deal flow underwriting the next decade.
The capacity to convert policy and capital into compounding returns.
From the desk
MalaysiaSingapore's Enduring Appeal in Commercial Real Estate
A reported S$2.4 billion deal for a Singapore landmark highlights the city-state's institutional strengths and its role as a stable hub for regional capital, even as neighbours build their own capacity.
IndonesiaIndonesia balances investment and sovereignty
President-elect Prabowo Subianto's visit to Beijing highlights Indonesia's foreign policy balancing act. For Jakarta, sovereignty over its mineral wealth and a "free and active" foreign policy must coexist with the drive for foreign direct investment.
MyanmarThe Hard Realities of Building Dawei
The long-delayed Dawei port project in Myanmar shows that turning grand announcements into reality requires more than just capital. It demands stable institutions, enforceable permits, and a foundation of trust that cannot be built by force.
PhilippinesBeyond Headlines: The Philippines Builds Its Investment Backbone
The recent Philippines-Iceland air service agreement is a reminder that investment follows infrastructure. Realised FDI depends on the slow work of connecting land, permits, power, and talent.
BruneiBrazil Looks to ASEAN, But Talk is Cheaper Than Action
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with Ambassador Maria Luiza Lopes da Silva of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency to discuss deepening cooperation. The meeting highlights a growing interest between the two regions, but turning dialogue into tangible results.
PhilippinesThe Philippines Bets on Semiconductor Manufacturing
A new report argues the Philippines should focus on attracting foreign investment into semiconductor manufacturing, leveraging the global AI boom, rather than chasing data center investments. This puts the spotlight on the country's ability to translate investment announcements.
All eleven ASEAN nations.
Trade hub bridging Singapore and Thailand, strong in electronics, palm oil and Islamic finance.
ASEAN's financial and tech capital, home to regional HQs and the world's busiest transshipment port.
Largest ASEAN economy by GDP and population, leader in nickel, digital startups and consumer markets.
Manufacturing powerhouse for autos and electronics, regional tourism and agri-export leader.
Fastest-growing major ASEAN economy, key beneficiary of China+1 manufacturing shifts.
Youthful demographics, services-led growth, BPO and remittance backbone of Southeast Asia.
Energy-rich micro-state diversifying into halal industries, Islamic finance and downstream petrochemicals.
Garment exports, tourism rebound, and rising FDI from China, Korea and Japan.
Hydropower exporter and emerging logistics corridor via the China-Laos Railway.
Resource-rich frontier market navigating political and sanctions risk.
ASEAN's newest member, oil-and-gas dependent and pursuing economic diversification.
Trackers
Inbound foreign direct investment announcements, approvals and realised flows across ASEAN.
Hyperscale, colocation and AI-ready data centre projects coming online in Southeast Asia.
AI infrastructure, model deployments, sovereign AI policy and enterprise adoption across ASEAN.
Bilateral trade flows, FTAs, tariff actions and supply-chain shifts shaping the region.
Rail, ports, power, water and connectivity projects underwriting the next decade of growth.
Conversations with the people shaping Southeast Asia.
Founders, ministers, investors, diplomats and business leaders, in long form.