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
VietnamCapital in Vietnam: From Wealth to Investable Depth
Vietnam's expanding class of ultra-rich individuals is a sign of economic dynamism. The next step is translating that capital into broad, investable economic depth through institutional reform.
SingaporeSingapore, the Market, and the State
Foreign capital is a constant in Singapore. The state's role is to ensure that each new wave of investment also builds national capacity for the long term.
VietnamVietnam's Private Capital Surge Tests Institutional Capacity
A rapid rise in private wealth is a positive indicator for Vietnam, but channeling this new capital into productive, long-term national assets requires robust institutional and regulatory frameworks.
SingaporeSingapore Draws Thai Capital for Waterfront Development
A new luxury mixed-use project on the Singapore River, backed by a prominent Thai investor, shows how the city-state's institutional quality continues to attract foreign capital.
VietnamCapital and Institutions in Vietnam
Vietnam's fast-growing cohort of wealthy individuals is a sign of economic dynamism, but converting this domestic capital into durable national assets requires stronger institutional frameworks.
VietnamVietnam's Growing Wealth: From Affluence to Investment
The rapid growth in Vietnam's ultra-rich population is a notable headline, but translating this domestic capital into productive, long-term investment requires institutional strengthening and a focus on execution.
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.