Asean-BAC to launch private-markets association in bid to attract US$60 billion regional funding
The council is also pushing for an Asean Business Entity – a proposed classification that would allow companies to operate across the bloc with greater flexibility
Add BT as a preferred source
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
[KUALA LUMPUR] The Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) plans to establish a regional private-markets association by year end to unlock as much as US$60 billion in private equity and venture funding to support small and medium-sized enterprises and startups across South-east Asia.
Speaking at the Asean Business Forum 2025, Asean-BAC Malaysia chairman Nazir Razak said the move comes amid growing concerns that Asean’s private-capital ecosystem remains underdeveloped, representing just 0.5 per cent of the region’s gross domestic product – far below the global average of 1.5 per cent.
He noted that the council has been working with the governments of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia to formalise the Asean Private Markets Association. The entity will serve as a platform to advise governments on policy reforms aimed at unlocking long-term capital.
Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
TRENDING NOW
Air India asks Tata, Singapore Airlines for funds after US$2.4 billion loss
‘Boring’ is the new black: The stars are aligning for a Singapore stock market revival
From 1MDB to ‘corporate mafia’: Is Malaysia facing a new governance test?
South-east Asian markets account for 8.8% of global capital inflows from 2021 to 2024: report
