Over the past month, I have had the most rewarding opportunity of travelling through Vietnam and Thailand meeting with politicians, leading bankers, private equity professionals and start-up entrepreneurs. This experience has amply solidified my belief in the remarkable potential that these countries and the broader ASEAN region holds for GCC investors.

As Nikkei Asia pointed out in a recent article, Southeast Asia is likely to outpace China's economic growth over the next ten years. Aggregate ASEAN GDP is expected to increase by an average of 5.1% annually until 2034 compared to China's 3.5% to 4.5% projected growth over the same period.

For GCC investors, ASEAN offers a unique set of advantages. The region’s economic strength, favourable demographics and strategic location close to many major global markets make it a compelling destination for investment. In addition, many international companies are adopting the China Plus One business strategy, which often involves avoiding investments solely in China, and this trend particularly benefits Thailand and Vietnam.

As financial institutions and family offices in the GCC seek to diversify their portfolios, I believe Vietnam, Thailand and other ASEAN nations present very valuable opportunities. It will be exciting to continue exploring these markets and encourage investors to consider the ASEAN region as a key part of their global investment strategy.

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