Asia Regional Integration Center

In 2018, amid Asian equity markets’ subdued performance, moderating global growth, and global trade tensions, Asia’s intraregional portfolio debt investment grew moderately, while intraregional portfolio equity investment and cross-border bank claims both contracted.

The year 2018 saw a sharp increase in greenfield FDI and M&As in Asia, after declining in 2017.

Almost half of global outward FDI in 2018 came from Asia and the Pacific.

Asia and the Pacific remains an attractive destination of global FDI, as foreign investment to the region grew 6.3% in 2018.

Asia’s trade growth was sustained in 2018 despite external risks thanks to its robust intraregional trade. Deepening of regional value chains and the drive for free trade agreements continue to strengthen trade within the region.

International tourism in Asia continue to grow, driven by stronger pull in visitor arrivals (407.6 million) and higher tourism receipts ($368 billion) across the region.

Asia's financial linkages with the rest of the world remain strong. Domestic policies outside Asia are tied to Asia's financial markets.

Amidst the increasing trend in Asia's intraregional bank integration, Japan has been the largest foreign lender since mid-2015.

The growth in Asia’s cross-border assets and liabilities was driven by a surge in equity investment, boosted by global liquidity, favorable economic conditions, and investors’ appetite for positive equity returns.

Migration from Asia to outside regions is on the rise but intraregional migration remains significant.

Remittances to Asia are increasing once again, with major boost from the Middle East and North America.

International tourism receipts to Asia grew to a record high in 2016, as the number of visitors increased and intraregional tourism expanded.

The recovery in global trade continued in 2017 with Asia leading the pace—bolstered by the strengthening trade integration of the region.

Regional integration in Asia and the Pacific is strengthening, with trade and foreign direct investment leading while financial integration lagging.

The simultaneous recovery in global and regional trade can be attributed to the expansion of the global value chain (GVC)—after a continued slowdown since 2012—with Asia’s GVC participation rebounding as well.

Asian investors have been a major contributor to greenfield FDI job creation in the region—generating more jobs per investment and benefiting manufacturing industries.

Understanding how an individual nation’s contribution adds to the overall provision of RPGs can help RPG suppliers, including nations and multilateral development banks alike, take the most appropriate modes of provision to avoid the collective action problem.

Asia continues to expand its trade ties with non-traditional export markets amid current trade tensions.

Continued support for financial reforms is crucial to ensuring Asia's financial resilience.

The newly-introduced ARCII aims to measure the extent and progress of regional cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific.

Tourism is looking up in Asia, with increased number of travelers and tourism receipts

Asia's trade volume growth surpassed that of world in 2016

Asia's cross-border assets continue to grow, further strengthening its linkages globally.

Asia's is increasingly a magnet of foreign direct investment and a prominent global investor

ARIC's infographic illustrates the latest trends and insights on Asia's FTA landscape.

A snapshot of the level of integration in Asia and the Pacific in areas of trade, foreign direct investment, finance, tourism and remittances. Refer to the Asian Economic Integration Report 2017 for detailed analysis. Download report here.

The slowing productivity growth in most Asian economies could be affecting the region's standard of living and economic growth.

Productivity in Asia grew an average of 4.8% annually in 1999-2013, much faster than Africa (2%) and Latin America (0.8%)