The Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India is a regular publication on Asia’s regional economic growth, development and regional integration processes. It focuses on the economic conditions of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam) and two other large economies in the region, the People’s Republic of China (hereafter “China”) and India. The Outlook was proposed at a 2008 informal reflection group on Southeast Asia following the 2007 Council Meeting at Ministerial Level (MCM) and approved by ministers and senior officials from ASEAN countries at the 2nd OECD-Southeast Asia Regional Forum in Bangkok in 2009. The Outlook was launched as a series in 2010 and the first edition was released in November of that year. It is typically presented at the ASEAN or East Asia Summit.
The Outlook Consultation Group (OCG) was established in 2014, consisting of representatives from OECD Delegations and Emerging Asian countries. The Outlook was integrated into the OECD’s Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP) at the Steering Group Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia in March 2015 to offer a horizontal view of activities and provide a backbone for the different streams of the Programme confirmed at the 2015 MCM. Updates to the Outlook were introduced in 2018 to ensure that data, projections and policy discussions remain relevant.
This edition of the Outlook comprises three parts. The first part presents the regional economic monitor, depicting the economic outlook and macroeconomic challenges in the region: Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive review of the outlook and challenges, while Chapter 2 places particular focus on inflation as one of the most pressing challenges. The second part explores reviving tourism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges the sector faces: Chapter 3 explores the role of the tourism sector in Emerging Asian economies and the challenges it faces in recovery, while Chapter 4 focuses on shaping a resilient recovery that minimises negative impacts on the environment and residents, while maximising the benefits residents receive from it. The final part (Chapter 5) is a series of notes on the state of the tourism sector in each Emerging Asian country, with recommendations for overcoming challenges.
The OECD Development Centre is committed to working alongside governments and other actors in the region to identify key challenges and provide policy recommendations for addressing them. The Centre enjoys the full membership of three Southeast Asian countries, namely Indonesia, Thailand and Viet Nam, as well as China and India. This project has also benefited from the generous support of other Emerging Asian countries. The OECD is committed to supporting Asian countries in their efforts to promote economic and social well-being through rigorous analysis, peer learning and the sharing of best practices.