Countries, economies and regions

Southeast Asia's digital economy is growing rapidly and will have a transformative impact on commerce.

Southeast Asia's fast-growing population will create a major increase in demand for healthcare services and infrastructure to 2040. This will put significant pressure on health authorities across the region.

There is a major opportunity to grow two-way tourism between Australia and Southeast Asia. Geographical proximity, people-to-people links, education, and unique cultural and natural environment offerings all reinforce the attractions of two-way travel.

Australia's education sector is a national asset in our engagement with Southeast Asia. It has been integral to building enduring relationships and economic prosperity with the region. Over the past 20 years, over half a million Southeast Asian students have studied in Australia.

By 2040, Southeast Asia will need US$3 trillion in infrastructure investment to keep pace with economic and demographic changes and to close infrastructure gaps.

Australia and Southeast Asia share an ambition and imperative to act to combat climate change. We face many shared clean energy transition challenges, with energy systems traditionally reliant on fossil fuels.

Southeast Asia's energy demand has increased by an average of 3 per cent a year over the past two decades and is projected to double by 2050 from 2020 levels.

Agriculture is critical to sustaining the region's ongoing economic growth, ensuring food security and contributing to livelihoods.66 Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing markets for Australian agricultural exports.

Australia and Southeast Asia's web of free trade agreements (FTAs) and economic cooperation architecture, established trade linkages, technical assistance programs, and goodwill built up over many years provide a strong basis to grow ties.

Southeast Asia is at the centre of global growth. The region presents major economic opportunities for Australian business over coming decades.