Time for Asean’s Own Brand Product in Manufacturing?

TODAY

11 October 2017

There is no reason for the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) not to have its own variant of Sony or Samsung. Perhaps it is about time now for ASEAN to step up its economic integration strategy and create its own brand of products.

Afterall, the grouping is now the world’s sixth largest economy. Its total trade amounted to US$2.3 trillion (S$3.12 trillion) in 2015. Among the grouping’s policies include attracting investments from multinational companies outside the region, which is justifiable because Asean is predicted to be the world’s factory over the next 10 to 15 years.

It is also important for ASEAN to realise the potential of regional production in creating its own brand products, which will involve the participation of all countries in the region.

… Phidel Vineles is a Senior Analyst at the Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS) at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The views expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not reflect the position and opinions of RSIS.

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Last updated on 19/10/2017