Southeast Asia Investment Deal Teams

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Its demographics, economic openness, political stability and ambition will drive global economic growth to 2040 and beyond.

Australia stands to benefit from, and contribute to, Southeast Asia’s growth. To do this, we must increase our share of investment in the region. Australia’s investment has not kept pace with the growth in investment from other countries.

Australian businesses and institutions have the financial strength to support substantial investments and operations in the region.

There are major opportunities for Australian business to:

contribute to the region’s infrastructure and green energy transition needs
invest in sectors that serve the growing consumer market.

[Michaela Browning, CEO of Asia Pacific, Brunswick Group] So I'm absolutely seized of the opportunity in Southeast Asia and also how important it is for Australia's future.

There's big challenges, but they're also opportunities if you think about the need for decarbonisation across the region, the energy and power needs, which are going to be greater than almost any other region in the world, and the digital transformation which is now being accelerated by AI and what that is doing, including to change the infrastructure needs across the region.

[Mark Burgess, Chair - Investment Committee and Non-Executive Director, Australian Retirement Trust] You've dedicated the time to come up here.

I mean, how did you weigh that up in terms of your personal time to get involved and what sort of message did that send to your team and to other investors?

The fact that someone of your seniority is coming into the region to take a good look?

[Allison Hill, State Chief Investment Officer, QIC] Australia is part of the Southeast Asian region and historically, for a number of reasons, we don't have a lot of exposure to assets in the region and I think that needs to change.

It is a growing region. It's an exciting region.

I think it's something that you can't ignore, but I do think it does take time to get to know the investment opportunities, the risks, the pitfalls, plus all of the upsides that might be there.

You have to travel. You have to get on the ground. You have to spend the time and it is a commitment, but I think it's really important.

Looking forward, I can only see Australian investors having more exposure to this region through time.

[Craig Thorburn, Director - Research and Insights, Future Fund] Come to Southeast Asia. Be here at the ground level and understand the dynamics of the economies and the markets.

[Michaela Browning, CEO of Asia Pacific, Brunswick Group] It's so important to think about local partners, expertise and the sort of support that you can get, including from the government now in thinking afresh about Southeast Asia.

What the teams do

Southeast Asia Investment Deal Teams will work to increase Australian investment in Southeast Asia.

Their focus is on opportunities in strategic sectors. These sectors include infrastructure, net zero transition, agrifood, health, digital economy and advanced manufacturing.

The teams will:

identify investment opportunities and support Australian institutional and corporate investors to assess and pursue them
work with project proponents to understand current and upcoming projects and where Australian investors can play a role
consult with Southeast Asian investors and other international financiers in the region to bring Australian finance into strategic projects.

Specifically, Southeast Asia Investment Deal Teams will:

provide market intelligence and information on specific investment opportunities
connect investors with potential local partners and service providers
support investors as they navigate the regulatory environment
connect projects with financing options
liaise with host governments in support of Australian investors.

Expertise and locations

The teams draw on the expertise of:

Private-sector partners will also be involved.

The teams will be located in major hubs across Southeast Asia. Team members will be based in cities in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. From there, they will provide in-market expertise.

Map showing International Deal Teams locations across Southeast Asia. Marked on the map are where teams will be based. These are in major cities in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

We welcome the opportunity to work with:

Australian investors to understand investment strategy, interest in Southeast Asia and investment mandates
Southeast Asian project proponents, financiers and governments.

Please fill in our contact form, linked below, and a team member will be in touch to offer assistance.