With a population of 1.3 billion and a growing consumer class, China is increasingly attractive to foreign investment. Not only a huge and growing marketplace for goods, there are also opportunities for services providers as the market continues to open up further, the high-tech sector is rapidly developing and the government is establishing multiple free trade zones. China’s long-term economic plan to shift from a manufacturing-driven economy to one based on services and domestic consumption is under way and scheduled to be complete within the next decade.

Dealing with the complexities of the market, including the unknown regulatory environment, relationships with state-owned-enterprises, non-market practices and an opaque government system is a challenge for businesses attempting to exploit this marketplace. Predicting the impact of ongoing trade tensions and other geopolitical pressures adds further challenges to this attractive but sometimes risky market. Asia House’s experience and network in China helps businesses overcome these challenges, whilst strategically positioning them to capitalise on opportunities within the market.

ASEAN has the potential to be the world’s fourth largest economy by 2030. It has a dynamic, growing and urbanising middle-class population, and governments across the region are focussed on pursuing economic development. Growth rates are projected to remain high over the next decade and regional integration plans are set to accelerate growth and open up previously protected sectors. ASEAN has always been positioned strategically for global trade and is currently benefitting from the economic growth seen in its great neighbour, China.

There are growing opportunities in ASEAN across numerous sectors including infrastructure, technology, financial services, energy, logistics and consumer goods. The region is diverse, both economically and politically. The fast-changing regulatory and business environment, as well as and impact of politics and demographics, can all effect businesses strategic outlook and success. With country and sector expertise, together with strong government and institutional links across the region, Asia House is well placed to assist clients in overcoming these challenges and making the most out of their ASEAN operations.

View examples of our work focused on ASEAN markets.

Best known for its oil production and export, parts of the Middle East are fast becoming global investment hubs as the need for reform and diversification are driving trade and investment growth. Governments are reforming markets by liberalising sectors, creating investment incentives and reducing red tape. Economic diversification is necessary to ensure long-term economic survival and is creating new opportunities for international business across the infrastructure, education, tech, healthcare and energy sectors. Unprecedented government investment into mega-projects are also creating opportunities for international expertise at all stages of the project life cycle.

The Middle East is a diverse region that has a rapidly developing business environment as well as shifting demographics and consumer needs. Recognising opportunities and navigating the complex political and business environment is essential to success in the region and is where Asia House is best placed to advise its clients.

Find out more about Asia House’s work on the Middle East.

Trade with Asia is increasingly important at a time when traditional trading relationships are changing, and the global engines of growth are moving from established developed markets to developing countries in Asia. The Asian export market is thriving; it has a population of 4.5 billion people and represents 60 percent of the world’s buying power. Its consumer class is growing rapidly, as its desire for progressive products and modern services. The e-commerce market is projected to grow to 1.4 billion users by 2021.

Despite this opportunity, entering or growing your presence in Asia can face challenges. These include a different regulatory environment, an uncertain business environment, unfamiliar political systems, tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, a lack of major stakeholder engagement, reputational difficulties, as well as the usual market entry challenges of assessing market potential, finding competitors and customers, and connecting with the right local partner or distributor.  With deep expertise in markets throughout Asia, Asia House can assist clients in managing and leveraging the risks and opportunities that exist in these new markets.

Asia’s infrastructure need is immense. No developing Asian country is fulfilling its own current infrastructure needs, let alone future infrastructure needs. According to the Asian Development Bank, developing Asia will need to spend US$ 1.5 trillion on new infrastructure every year up until 2030 just to maintain its current growth momentum. Factoring in climate change mitigation and adaption costs, the figure is US$1.7 trillion. Many governments throughout the region are responding to this with ambitious infrastructure development programmes.

There are numerous challenges to achieving this, including a lack of clear legal and regulatory frameworks, ability to make such large projects bankable and financially viable, navigating the relationships between public and private institutions, lack of available capital and the overarching capacity challenges associated with delivering projects of such vast scale and integrating them effectively into national development plans. Asia House advises clients on identifying related opportunities and providing services – from engineering and construction to financial and regulatory – to the institutions driving this infrastructure development.

Asia is at the centre of technological developments that are revolutionising global business and trade. The pace of technological innovation is a key driver of the region’s growth, yet innovation also brings its own set of challenges. It undermines the current labour-intensive, export-led manufacturing model and regulation often cannot keep a-pace with new developments. Despite the successes of well-known names such as Huawei, Alibaba, Grab and Go-jek, technological innovation throughout the region generally remains weak and un-inclusive.

Integrating new technologies into existing business models, distributing technologies throughout new markets and effectively influencing new policy developments are key issues for business in this sector. Asia House’s market knowledge and extensive government network in the region allows us to assist clients in placing themselves effectively into this rapidly developing market.

Asia’s largest banks have experienced double digit growth over the past five years and currently the Asian financial sector accounts for approximately 40 percent of the worlds banking and insurance market capitalisation. With around 1 billion unbanked adults in Asia and a rapidly increasing middle class, as well as underdeveloped capital and equity markets, the scope for growth in the sector is vast. Risks are ever-present as well, especially as the financial sector is currently under pressure from stagnant economic growth and the increasingly challenging trading environment. Disruptive entrants to the market are already gaining traction, contributing to both financial sector development and financial inclusion.

Understanding how policy, market demographics, stakeholder influence and technological disruption can affect your business is vital to leveraging the opportunities the financial service sector in Asia provides. Asia House advises clients on these risks, as well as leveraging current and future opportunities.

As with other regions globally, energy and sustainability are becoming key concerns throughout Asia. Energy demand is projected to almost double in Asia Pacific by 2030. This is driven by urbanisation and population increases, as well as the redistribution of global supply chains. Rising energy demand and the need for related infrastructure and management creates opportunities for businesses involved in any aspect of the energy supply chain. Clean energy will be key to ensuring that rising energy demands are sustainable, for environment, health and efficiency reasons.

Opportunities for international businesses are mixed throughout the region; some nations are net energy exporters, e.g. Indonesia, whilst others are energy importers, e.g. China. Some nations also protect their domestic energy market, e.g. Indonesia, whilst in other markets deregulation has led to growing competition. Asia House helps clients navigate the geopolitical and economic complexities of the energy markets in Asia, leveraging existing opportunities to maximise both business growth and sustainable economic development.