UOB(US:UOVEY) Xin Hua Cai Jing·2025-11-14 12:28Core Insights - The report by UOB highlights that despite short-term challenges from US trade policies, ASEAN's medium to long-term trade and investment outlook remains strong due to enhanced cross-border policy coordination, deepening regional integration, and supply chain diversification [1][2]. Investment Outlook - ASEAN's annual foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow is projected to increase from $225 billion in 2024 to approximately $370 billion by 2030, with total trade volume expected to rise from $3.8 trillion to $5.3 trillion during the same period [1]. - In the first half of 2025, FDI inflows to ASEAN are expected to remain resilient, with a 10.2% year-on-year increase in the balance of payments (BOP) FDI liabilities for the five ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), driven mainly by strong investments in Singapore and Thailand [1]. Trade Performance - In the first nine months of 2025, trade among six ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) is expected to grow by 11.5% year-on-year, surpassing the 8.0% growth rate for the entire year of 2024, largely due to preemptive shipping activities in anticipation of US tariffs and increased AI-related capital expenditures boosting electronics trade in Singapore and Malaysia [2]. - However, trade growth may slow in 2026 due to the effects of delayed US tariffs and the "payback" effect following the preemptive shipments [2]. Key Drivers of Long-term Growth - Strengthened cross-border policy coordination, exemplified by the Johor-Singapore Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) attracting $8.8 billion in approved investments in the first half of 2025 [2]. - Deepening regional integration through recent agreements such as the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the 3.0 version of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), aimed at enhancing customs efficiency and expanding cooperation in digital and green economies [2]. - A large and growing consumer base in Southeast Asia, with nearly 700 million people and a relatively young demographic, making ASEAN an attractive investment destination [3]. Economic Projections - By 2030, ASEAN's nominal GDP is expected to expand to nearly $5.8 trillion, a 40% increase from $4.2 trillion in 2025, with per capita income projected to rise from $6,000 to $8,000 [5]. - FDI inflows are anticipated to exceed $560 billion by 2035, while total trade volume is expected to surpass $7 trillion by the same year [5]. - The average growth rate for the six ASEAN countries is projected at 4.6% in 2025, slowing to 4.2% in 2026 due to trade uncertainties, but expected to recover to an average of around 4.6% from 2027 to 2030 [5].