PETALING JAYA: Asean’s economic fundamentals and demographic strength, positions the region for greater international investor interest, said Securities Commission Malaysia (SC)chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi (pix).
“Asean already has the economic scale, growth potential and diversity to warrant greater attention from global investors. Its diversity is a source of resilience and growth within an increasingly connected region,” he added.
Mohammad Faiz said this when SC convened the inaugural Asean Investment Roadshow in London earlier this week co-hosted with FTSE Russell and attended by about 100 key stakeholders and market participants including institutional investors, asset managers, regulators, index companies and media to highlight Asean’s potential as a long-term investment destination.
Held at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, one of the Inns of Court, the roadshow aims to deepen investors understanding of investment opportunities in Asean and to share ongoing development undertaken to enhance the region’s accessibility and investability.
The event supports the agenda of the Asean Capital Markets Forum and forms part of the SC’s efforts to connect international capital with opportunities across Asean, while positioning Malaysia as a gateway for regional fundraising and investments.
Mohammad Faiz said their focus is to highlight Asean’s evolving investment landscape, the region’s increasing appeal to global investors and its potential as an integrated and investable asset class with Malaysia as a gateway.
Asean is a US$4.26 trillion economy with a population of nearly 700 million and goods trade worth US$4.37 trillion. Yet, its representation in global investment portfolios remains relatively modest compared to its economic significance and growth potential.
Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, distinguished fellow, Asia Global Institute, University of Hong Kong added: “Asean capital markets have a good story to tell but must tell it often to remind investors that we are the growth market in emerging markets”.
Malaysia’s role as a gateway to Asean is a key objective of the SC’s Capital Market Masterplan 2026–2030, which seeks to strengthen regional fundraising, investment opportunities, cross-border collaboration and regulatory cooperation.
This is reflected in the recent MoU between the SC and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission to facilitate dual-listed initial public offerings and the cross-listing of eligible funds, providing issuers and investors with broader market access and cross-border participation.
Jamie Perrett, head of EMEA Index Product Management, global head of Index Research & Design, FTSE Russell Equities & Multi-Asset said: “Asean’s growing economic scale will play an increasingly important role in global portfolios. Its distinctive mix of domestic demand, supply-chain diversification and transition financing can complement broader emerging-market exposure, while reforms across the region are making its capital markets increasingly accessible to global investors.”
