THE recent Asean Summit and related meetings in Jakarta generated many headlines about the high politics of the region. A new map in the South China Sea drew considerable concern, as did ongoing violence in Myanmar. Diplomatic gestures were noted, particularly that US President Joe Biden skipped the summit, sending Vice-President Kamala Harris in his place.

None of these is trivial. Should there be conflict and instability, negative consequences for the economy and business will be high. Western investors might then bypass Asean as Biden did. Yet, other factors also matter to business and, quite aside from the high politics, bear attention.

Post-pandemic uncertainties