ASEAN-5 economies consolidate role in global trade
The ASEAN-5's trade surplus had maintained a steady upward trajectory since 2014, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% over the period.
Workers at Nha Be garment corporation in Vi Thanh industrial cluster, Can Tho city, Vietnam, produce garments for export. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The five ASEAN economies of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam recorded a combined trade surplus of 156.6 billion USD in 2025, extending an 11-year growth trend and underscoring the region's growing importance in global trade, UOB Global Economics and Markets Research said on August 19.
As reported by Xinhua News Agency, the research house said in a note the ASEAN-5's trade surplus had maintained a steady upward trajectory since 2014, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% over the period.
Intra-ASEAN trade also remained resilient, generating a surplus of 63 billion USD, supported by increasingly integrated regional supply chains, it said.
"Greater regional integration can further enhance industrial upgrading, value-added production, and supply-chain resilience, allowing ASEAN to strengthen its role as a key driver of global trade and investment flows," it added as quoted by the agency.
The export and import data suggest that the ASEAN-5's strength lies not only in the scale of its trade but also in the complementarity of its economic structures, according to the research house.
Indonesia leads in resource-based exports and downstream manufacturing, while Singapore serves as a regional trading and refining hub. Malaysia has strengthened its position in the electronics and commodities value chains, Thailand remains a key automotive production base, and Vietnam continues to expand as a global manufacturing platform.
"Together, these strengths reinforce ASEAN's position within global value chains," UOB noted.
It said it had revised its long-term ASEAN trade projections higher following a stronger-than-expected 13.7% expansion in 2025, driven by a structural upcycle in electronics and semiconductors amid robust artificial intelligence-related demand.
Total ASEAN trade is now projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% between 2025 and 2035./.
The forum is set to provide a platform for ASEAN countries to share practical experience and seek solutions for the safe and responsible application of AI, contributing to the development of a modern and transparent legal system capable of adapting to the demands of the digital era.
As Canada steps up trade diversification and seeks to reduce its dependence on the North American market, Vietnam could serve both as a market for Canadian goods and a base for Canadian businesses to build production capacity and expand operations in the region.
Speaking at the Indonesia Food and Beverage Trade Promotion Forum in Jakarta on August 11, Esti said the country's F&B exports still had significant room for growth as the Ministry of Trade encourages local businesses to expand into international markets through Indonesia's global trade network.
Taking place until August 26, the tournament features six teams divided into two groups. Group A comprises the army teams of Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia, while Group B includes Ho Chi Minh City's police team, the Lao People’s Army's team and the Singapore Armed Forces' team.
After nearly six decades of development, ASEAN has become one of the world's important regional organisations, playing an increasingly significant role in promoting peace, stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia and the broader regional architecture.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
