DOING BUSINESS IN ASEAN
ASEAN, with its trade links to all of the world's major economies, is projected to be the world's 4th largest market by 2030. In fact, if it was a country, it would be the 6th largest economy in the world with a combined GDP of US$2.6 trillion. As an example of the growing interest in the region, Southeast Asia's internet economy alone was estimated to have reached US$100 billion in 2018, and it is expected to triple by 2025. Coupled with the fact that more than 90% of internet users in Southeast Asia are smartphone users, this presents a sizeable market for technology firms to enter.
In Singapore, some 45,000 British citizens live in-country and there are 4,000 British businesses already operating here, with more looking at trade or expansion opportunities. UK-ASEAN trade is worth nearly GBP £37 billion, more than Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, New Zealand, and Russia to the UK.
Below, we provide market updates from around our region. For a wider perspective, access the latest edition of Investing in ASEAN guide here.
To provide members with a channel to reach into South East Asian markets, we actively engage with British Chambers and Business Groups in the South-East Asian region and Co-Chair the 'Britain in Southeast Asia (BiSEA)' group. The geographic spread of the network provides a strong business community in the region, giving members who are already established or intend to establish themselves in South East Asia a validated third party contact to provide representation, services, information and guidance. Members of the British Chamber in Singapore may be entitled to member rates for events hosted by the regional Chambers upon request.
BRUNEI
For the latest statistics and key markets see our latest Membership Directory, which includes a segment on trading in Brunei.
BRITAIN BRUNEI BUSINESS FORUM
The Britain Brunei Business Forum was founded under the patronage of the British High Commission in Brunei to enable British and Bruneian business people to meet together in order to further trade. BBBF assists Bruneian business people in finding British partners for enhancing both parties business performance and circulates information about opportunities for business with Britain through the Bruneian business community. The forum provides a diverse and inclusive network to build opportunities for British, international and local organisations in Brunei with ties to British business.
For more information visit www.britbrubus.com or call +673 (2) 222231.
CAMBODIA
For the latest statistics and key markets see our latest Membership Directory, which includes a segment on trading in Cambodia.
BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAMBODIA
The British Chamber of Commerce of Cambodia (BritCham Cambodia) was founded as the British Business Association of Cambodia in 1995 by Senaka Fernando MBE. In 2013, it was officially registered as a Chamber of Commerce with the Cambodian government. They welcome all individuals with an interest in the UK and Cambodia. The Chamber currently has over 100 corporate and individual UK, international and national members.
For more information visit www.britchamcambodia.org or call +855 89 333 477.
INDONESIA
For the latest statistics and key markets see our latest Membership Directory, which includes a segment on trading in Indonesia.
BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN INDONESIA
The British Chamber of Commerce has been established since 1999 and builds on a British business presence that extends more than a hundred years. Over those years, they have had the pleasure of welcoming the most influential politicians, business leaders, world commentators, renowned experts in various fields and academicians as guests to over various forums. Each year, they host more than one hundred events that provide broad platforms for business development amongst their members.
For more information visit www.britcham.or.id or call +62 21 5229453.
LAOS
For the latest statistics and key markets see our latest Membership Directory, which includes a segment on trading in Laos.
BRITISH BUSINESS GROUP LAOS
The mission of the BBGL is to represent and support the commercial interests of its British, Lao, and international members by acting as a platform to create and promote business opportunities within the working community. The BBGL encourages trade and investment between Lao PDR and the UK, regularly sharing relevant content from both countries.
For more information visit www.bbglao.org or call +856 (0)207 802 8885.
MALAYSIA
For the latest statistics and key markets see our latest Membership Directory, which includes a segment on trading in Malaysia.
BRITISH MALAYSIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Established in 1963, the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) has been driven by the sole ordinance of advancing bilateral trade relations between the UK and Malaysia. Over the past five decades, the BMCC has been a catalyst in providing Malaysian-based businesses with networking and exposure, knowledge exchange and bilateral trading support services. Today, the BMCC has firmly rooted itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most prolific Chambers.
For more information visit www.bmcc.org.my or call +60 3 2163 1784.
MYANMAR
For the latest statistics and key markets see our latest Membership Directory, which includes a segment on trading in Myanmar.
BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MYANMAR
The British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar is an independent, non-profit membership organisation which aims to promote, support and represent business interests in Myanmar. The organisation launched in July 2014 with the support of high profile British businesses - four Founding Patrons: Shell, Jardines, Prudential and Standard Chartered Bank.
For more information visit www.britishchambermyanmar.com or call +95 1 925 3748.
PHILIPPINES
For the latest statistics and key markets see our latest Membership Directory, which includes a segment on trading in the Philippines.
BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE PHILIPPINES
The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) is an independent, non-profit membership organisation whose primary objective is to support the development of its members’ business and social interests in the British and Philippine communities, helping them achieve their objectives. Founded in 1997 as the British Business Association, they became a British Chamber of Commerce in 2001. Today, they represent over 270 member companies and individuals with a membership network of over 600 entrepreneurs and senior executives of multinational corporations and SMEs.
For more information visit www.britcham.org.ph or call +63 2 556 5232.
THAILAND
For the latest statistics and key markets see our latest Membership Directory, which includes a segment on trading in Thailand.
BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THAILAND
Founded in 1946, the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) is the oldest foreign chamber and the largest non-Asian foreign chamber in Thailand. In addition, it is the largest and oldest British Chamber in Asia. At its inception there were 17 founding British members and three associate members. The BCCT has a seat on the Board of Trade of Thailand and is active in representing members’ interests on the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce Thailand. BCCT is actively supporting the establishment of the European ASEAN Business Centre in Thailand.
For more information visit www.bccthai.com or call +66 (0) 2651 5350.
VIETNAM
For the latest statistics and key markets see our latest Membership Directory, which includes a segment on trading in Vietnam.
BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIETNAM
The British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (“BritCham Vietnam”), started as a luncheon club in 1991. We became the first ever Foreign Business Group to obtain formal recognition in Vietnam in 1998. BritCham Vietnam now boasts more than 500 members. BritCham Vietnam’s main objective is to promote our members’ business interests in Vietnam, through various business and social events.
For more information visit britchamvn.com or call +84 (28) 3829 8430.