10Minutes on expanding business in Asia Pacific

Businesses strive to new levels of regional integration

[January 2012]

Highlights

  • Multinationals are deeply integrating in the region, setting up regional hubs and laying down intraregional distribution and services networks. Expanding trade, more numerous and efficient supply chains, low labor costs and high GDP growth help enable this.
  • The US has re-engaged in the region, with the finalization of a trade pact (Trans-Pacific Partnership) a possibility in 2012.
  • Multinationals are tapping innovation in the region for new products and services fitting the needs and wants of the region’s rising middle-class.
  • Companies are forging partnerships with governments, state-owned enterprises and consumers in booming sectors such as infrastructure, financial services, and healthcare.