Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are increasingly shaping ASEAN’s long-term economic trajectory. According to Juwai IQI Global Chief Economist Shan Saeed, their greatest strength lies not in competing with one another, but in the complementary roles they play across manufacturing, finance, technology, resources and services. By TENGKU NOOR SHAMSIAH TENGKU ABDULLAH KUALA LUMPUR,…
With GDP per capita at US$15,085 and the economy expanding at 5.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, Malaysia is closer than ever to high-income status. But the journey from here to US$20,000 per capita will require more than growth — it demands structural reform, productivity gains, and unwavering institutional quality. Juwai IQI…
SINGAPORE, June 2 — The ASEAN+3 region is expected to maintain economic growth of 4.0 per cent in 2026 despite the prolonged Middle East conflict, although inflation is now projected to rise faster than previously anticipated, according to the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). In its June 2026 Interim Update of the ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook,…
By Shan Saeed, Global Chief Economist, Juwai IQI KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — This year, I coined the term “Fabulous Five” (MITPV) to describe the five economies poised to shape ASEAN’s macroeconomic and investment trajectory over the next 10 to 20 years — Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. Collectively, these five economies represent the undisputed…
Shan Saeed says disciplined policy, low inflation and steady growth will keep the ringgit resilient within ASEAN BY TENGKU NOOR SHAMSIAH TENGKU ABDULLAH KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 — As global investors look ahead to 2026, the Malaysian ringgit is increasingly being assessed through the lens of structural strength rather than short-term volatility. According to Shan…
