Emerging Manufacturing Hubs Are Expanding Beyond Their Regional Bases
Mexico, Vietnam, Poland and Indonesia remain anchored in their home regions, but exports to other major markets have expanded substantially
ASEAN Is Scaling Up as a Manufacturing and Trade Hub
Merchandise exports reached USD 2.38 trillion in 2025, outpacing USD 2.10 trillion in imports
Southeast Asia Has Become a Major Global Minerals Supplier, Led by Indonesia
Southeast Asia now supplies 70% of world nickel, 29% of tin and 14% of cobalt output, with Indonesia driving much of the growth
ASEAN Exports Have Doubled in a Decade, and Growth Is Accelerating
ASEAN exports jumped 22.5% in 2025, with Asia accounting for the majority of regional growth
Asia’s Manufacturing Momentum Is Shifting in 2026
India leads despite slowing in 2026; Thailand is gaining momentum; China is stabilising and Indonesia is slipping back into contraction
China’s Wages Have Risen, But Its Cost Advantage Remains
Manufacturing wages have risen almost tenfold since 2000, but remain well below advanced manufacturing economies
ASEAN’s Expanding Export Base, Driven by Electronics and Resources
Exports have doubled over the past decade as electronics manufacturing hubs and resource-exporting economies drive ASEAN’s trade expansion.
Southeast Asia’s Digital Economy Is Scaling Rapidly as Regional Tech Hubs Take Shape
Digital consumption across Southeast Asia is expanding rapidly across e-commerce, payments and platforms.
Indonesia’s Economy Is Diversifying as Industrial Value Chains Expand
Steady growth, strong domestic demand and rising FDI are shifting Indonesia from a commodity-led model toward downstream industrialisation.
China’s Import Momentum Moderates as Commodity Suppliers Gain Share
Imports have stabilised around USD 2.6 trillion, signalling softer domestic demand and a continued tilt toward commodity-intensive sourcing.