ASEAN SME NEWS

 
Latest ASEAN news

Thailand’s Factory Output Surges 2.52% in December, Beating Forecasts

Thailand’s manufacturing production index (MPI) climbed 2.52% year-on-year in December 2025, outperforming expectations for a 0.9% decline. This marked a rebound from November’s contraction and was supported by increased auto production, strong industrial export activity, and government stimulus measures. The surge in vehicle output was a key contributor to the improved industrial performance. Despite this monthly growth, the MPI for the full year 2025 still recorded a modest -0.78% decline, as a strong Thai baht continued to raise export prices and dampen the country’s competitive edge in global markets.

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Team Thailand Secures THB 500B in Investment at WEF 2026

Thailand’s participation in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 (WEF 2026) in Davos, Switzerland, has significantly strengthened international confidence in the Thai economy. Led by the Prime Minister along with key cabinet members, “Team Thailand” engaged with global leaders across sectors, helping attract more than THB 500 billion in investment commitments from both existing and new projects.

Officials highlighted that Thailand’s active presence showcased the country as a strategic economic hub in the ASEAN region, particularly in modern agro-industry, food and bio-industry, electric vehicles, smart electronics, and data centers. Thailand’s role as host of the 2026 IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings further underscores its position on the global stage, bringing together finance ministers and central bank governors and enhancing opportunities for future trade and investment. 

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EU Steps Up Trade Engagement with ASEAN Amid Global Trade Uncertainty

The European Union is accelerating its trade engagement with ASEAN countries as part of a strategy to diversify economic partnerships amid growing global trade uncertainty, particularly following political shifts in the United States. The move aims to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce reliance on traditional markets.

The EU has launched and resumed trade negotiations with several ASEAN members, including Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, highlighting ASEAN’s rising importance as a strategic hub for trade, investment, and critical supply chains in the global economy.

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Thailand’s Investment Pledges Jump 67% in 2025, Reflecting Global Investor Confidence

Thailand Sets Record with Investment Pledges of 1.88 Trillion Baht in 2025

Thailand achieved a new milestone in investment performance in 2025 with total investment pledges reaching THB 1.88 trillion (approx. USD 60.42 billion) — a 67% increase from the prior year. The Board of Investment (BOI) reported that overall investment applications grew 11% to 3,370 projects, with foreign direct investment (FDI) jumping 66%, signaling strong confidence in Thailand’s shift toward digital, advanced technology, and innovation-driven economic sectors. 

The approved projects are expected to generate over 220,000 jobs, drive domestic material utilization exceeding THB 1 trillion, and boost annual export value by more than THB 2 trillion. This robust investment uptake underscores Thailand’s appeal as a strategic destination for global investors and supports sustained economic momentum into 2026.

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Thai exports beat forecast in December, but set to slow in 2026, commerce ministry says

Thailand’s exports surged in December 2025, rising 16.8% year-on-year to about US$28.8 billion, significantly beating market expectations of around 8.7%. This strong performance was led by electronics and electrical appliances, contributing to a 12.9% full-year export growth in 2025 — the highest in four years and highlighting Thailand’s continued trade momentum. 

Despite the strong year-end figures, the Thai Ministry of Commerce warned that export growth could slow in 2026 due to headwinds such as a stronger Thai baht, rising U.S. tariffs, and ongoing global trade uncertainties, potentially dampening the export outlook for the year ahead. 

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UOB AM Launches ASEAN Dividend ETF

UOB Asset Management (UOBAM) is set to launch the UOBAM Ping An FTSE ASEAN Dividend Index ETF on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) on 29 January 2026. This fund marks the first dividend-focused ASEAN ETF listed on SGX, offering investors a cost-efficient way to access a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying companies across ASEAN markets. 

The ETF tracks the FTSE ASEAN ex REITs Target Dividend Index, designed to enhance dividend yields compared with the broader FTSE ASEAN Index, and aims to pay at least 6% annual dividends in 2026–2027 — one of the highest among Singapore-listed ETFs. Its diversified holdings include key companies from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, such as DBS Group, OCBC, UOB, Malayan Banking, Astra International, and PTT. The product responds to growing investor demand for income strategies amid a low-rate environment while capturing ASEAN’s long-term growth potential.

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ASEAN Is the Place to Do Business in 2026

With a stable operating environment, beneficial supply-chain adjustments, and opportunities arising from the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, ASEAN remains an appealing region for business.
 
“This is a place to be, and the supply chain shifts are in favour of us. We are exporting a lot more to the US, selling to the rest of the world and also on our own, we have strong fundamentals – our population, our income growth – to support them,” said UOB head of research Suan Teck Kin.

He also stated that ASEAN will continue to benefit from the shifts in supply chain and trading with China. Additionally, the trade in Southeast Asia remains stable for exports and imports despite threats from US tariffs in 2025, further added that ASEAN continues to rank as a top destination for investment.

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Vietnam, Thailand Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

The foreign ministers of Vietnam and Thailand held discussions to enhance bilateral relations, reaffirming their long-standing friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership. Both sides agreed to deepen political trust through continued high-level exchanges and to develop a concrete action plan for cooperation for the 2026–2030 period.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperation remains a key pillar, with both countries promoting the “Three Connections” strategy and expanding collaboration in energy, green transition, digital economy, and logistics. They also reaffirmed commitments to security cooperation and to maintaining peace, stability, and unity within ASEAN.

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