South-East Asia

South-East Asia has seen remarkable economic growth over recent decades but also faces serious challenges, especially growing levels of inequality. Solutions are emerging, and the region’s leaders have agreed that inclusive growth is the way forward. Inclusive economies need inclusive businesses. Although at an early stage, we’re witnessing the potential for business to deliver the […]

In 2015, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) launched a plan for economic integration across the region. However, in the absence of a coherent policy framework to regulate and govern private sector investment, this economic integration model risks exacerbating resource grabbing, excessively benefiting corporate interests, and adding to Asia’s rising inequalities. This case study […]

In many communities in Southeast Asia, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are crucial drivers of local development and growth. They can play a key role in improving the livelihoods of smallholders, especially women. However, SMEs often do not survive because of the challenges they face in accessing finance and developing logistics and management systems. To […]