Investors will benefit from ASEAN e-commerce boom

Subject

The outlook for an ASEAN e-commerce boom.

Significance

A February study commissioned by the ASEAN Business Forum forecasts that electronic retailing in South-east Asia's six more advanced economies could grow by 25% annually up to 2017, driven by rising incomes, improving technology and a services boom. Expected to be worth at least 60 billion dollars once it matures (beyond 2017), the e-commerce market will help expand regional trade connections as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is enacted from late 2015.

Impacts

• Rising incomes, growing business connectivity and investment in retail portals will spur online sales.
• Services will be targeted at younger, technology-aware consumers who prefer mobile telephones over computers.
• Market potential may not be realised without investment in supporting services, including payment systems.