The rail way to track growth in Asean

THE Asean Summit in Manila - in the bloc's 50th year - is an opportune time to take stock of what's needed to supercharge the region's growth. And for nearly all members, transport infrastructure tops the list.

Take rail for example. Asean has become China's largest supply chain source over the past decade but vast improvements in its rail transport network are needed to accommodate the expected doubling of Sino-Asean trade between now and 2025.

The solution is coming in the form of the South-east Asian railway network - one of China's seven main transport routes under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).