Hey ASEAN fam 👋! Big news from the Bund Summit 2025: He Dong, chief economist at the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, just outlined why our region is on the brink of a supply chain glow-up. The ASEAN+3 grouping—which includes the ASEAN countries plus the Chinese mainland, Japan and the ROK—has a killer opportunity to level up in the global value chain game. 🚀
So, what’s a “global value chain” anyway? Think of it as a team project where different countries handle different steps of a product’s journey—from raw materials to the cool gadgets in your pocket. By optimizing each step, we unlock faster production, better quality, and greener practices. 🌱
He Dong’s playbook is all about building smarter, more efficient production networks inside ASEAN. Imagine electric vehicles powered by batteries made in Thailand, high-tech components assembled in Malaysia, and eco-friendly packaging sourced from Indonesia. When these pieces sync up, we get a manufacturing powerhouse that attracts investment, creates jobs, and keeps Mother Earth happy. 💚
Tech-savvy startups, listen up: this shift means more room for innovation. Digital platforms for traceability, AI-driven logistics, and blockchain-based quality checks could become your next big playground. Entrepreneurs from Ho Chi Minh City to Manila can tap into regional hubs without breaking a sweat. 🌐
And for us everyday hustlers? Stronger supply chains mean more affordable electronics, faster delivery of your fave K-drama snacks, and a boost in eco-friendly products. Plus, cross-border cooperation with the Japanese and ROK markets could spark new collabs in pop culture, fashion and beyond. 🎶👗
In short, ASEAN+3 is ready to flex its collective muscle. By leaning into tech, sustainability and regional unity, we can ride the next wave of global value chain shifts—and come out on top. Stay tuned, stay hungry, and let’s build the future together! 💪
Reference(s):
Economist: ASEAN+3 poised to benefit from global value chain shifts
cgtn.com
