The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a region of great diversity. Despite the differences in culture, socio-economic status and political systems, as an economic bloc, ASEAN is to be reckoned with.

This region has a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$2.4 trillion, larger than BRICS ex China, and the rate of GDP growth is forecasted to remain at over 5.5% into 2019.

The confluence of several positive drivers may accelerate the region’s economic growth over the next decade. These are:

• Rising synergies from multiple forms of integration that are proliferating in the region

• Increasing competitiveness of ASEAN’s economies

• Fundamental turnarounds of once-laggard economies such as Myanmar and the Philippines.

Together with the region’s demographic advantages, investment rates could rise and if this investment also remains productive, economic growth should also rise.