Asean an investment sweet spot, Indonesia a ‘sitting jackpot’: UOBAM

WHEN it comes to investment opportunities, Asean is in a “very sweet spot”, with Indonesia – home to five out of the seven key minerals needed for electric-vehicle (EV) batteries – “a sitting jackpot”, speakers said at UOB Asset Management’s (UOBAM) annual investment outlook conference.

Even though Asean is a trading bloc, the economies are not homogenous. Most are emerging in status and are at different points in their economic cycles. They also have differing interest-rate policies and political considerations. Thus, there are opportunities to be explored, such as healthcare infrastructure and medical tourism.

Vana Bulbon, chief executive officer (CEO) of UOBAM Thailand, noted that US market capital versus gross domestic product is at 1.9, while for Asean, the ratio is 0.6, which implies room for the capital market to grow.