The Evolving Role of Southeast Asia in Global FDI Flows
This paper traces the evolution of FDI in ASEAN and discusses future prospects for the region as a host - and increasingly home - to FDI.
Southeast Asia has long been a focal point for FDI by OECD-based firms. In the 1990s Southeast Asia was collectively among the world's largest recipients of FDI. Attention shifted away from the region following the regional economic collapse of 1997-1998 and the slow recovery that ensued. Nevertheless, policy reforms implemented at the national level after the Asian crisis have made many ASEAN states much more resilient against shocks. Compared to the trends in the 1980s and 1990s, recent FDI flows are increasingly more diversified in terms of host and source countries. This study also looks at the emerging tendency of Southeast Asian countries to become sources of capital, initially on a regional basis but ultimately to the rest of the world.
Available in:
Regions and themes
ISBN / ISSN
Share
Download the full analysis
This page contains only a summary of our work. If you would like to have access to all the information from our research on the subject, you can download the full version in PDF format.
The Evolving Role of Southeast Asia in Global FDI Flows
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programsFind out more
Discover all our analysesJammu and Kashmir in the Aftermath of August 2019
The abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), has been on the agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for many decades.

France’s Contributions to Pacific Maritime Governance
France stands out as the only European country capable of making a substantial security contribution to the South Pacific, with a permanent presence of 2,800 military personnel extensively skilled in regional cooperation.
Unlocking India’s Energy Transition: Addressing Grid Flexibility Challenges and Solutions
India is rapidly scaling up its renewable energy (RE) capacity, adding 15–20 GW annually, but the ambitious goal of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 is at risk unless the pace accelerates.
The China-Russia Partnership and the Ukraine War: Aligned but not allied
China and Russia maintain a strategic partnership rooted in shared opposition to the U.S. and liberal democracies, but their relationship is shaped more by pragmatism than trust.