Citi taps rising foreign investor interest in Asean

Singapore

MULTINATIONALS are pouring investments into South-east Asia, building factories and setting up distribution outlets eager to tap the region's burgeoning markets - with Citi there to help grease the wheels of finance.

Asean may not grab much headlines outside the region with China usually dominating Asian news but MNCs are beginning to look beyond China, said Melvyn Low, Citi head of Asean and Singapore for treasury and trade solutions.

"Asean seems to have renewed focus for our MNCs . . . fast moving consumer goods, health care, insurers, they're looking at Asean," said Mr Low in a recent interview.

There are also power companies, shipping, airlines, all …