The Rise of South East Asia's Affluent
Fueled by the region’s economic growth, the number of high net worth and ultra-high net
worth individuals and families across ASEAN is rapidly increasing. In addition, as populations
become more and more affluent and the region’s emerging middle class continues to expand,
there is a pressing need for services that will help individuals preserve and increase their
wealth. At the same time, the prosperous patriarchs and matriarchs across the region who
made large amounts of money back in the 1950s and1960s are now approaching old-age.
These individuals require advice on how to pass their hard-earned wealth – be it liquid or
illiquid assets – onto the next generation, including how to protect it from dissipation. In
countries with large Muslim populations such as Indonesia and Malaysia, this will involve
Shariah-compliant investment services.
The ASEAN Economic Community is in the process of establishing a single market in the
region, including financial services liberalisation. This entails the gradual removal of
restrictions on ASEAN banks, insurance companies or investment companies in providing
financial services in other member states, with the aim to have free flow of financial services
by 2020.
What are the components of a good wealth management offering, and what does it take to be
profitable in this industry? How are countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the
Philippines developing as onshore wealth management centres? What are the benefits for
ASEAN member states of engaging in regional financial integration? What will the crossborder
selling of mutual funds and other investment products mean for business growth
across the region? How will enhanced interaction and collaboration between member nations
impact the regulatory landscape? And what can international financial centres further afield offer
clients in Asia that they cannot enjoy in their home and neighbouring jurisdictions?
The Financial Times, in collaboration with Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC), will gather policy makers, regulators, and C-level representatives from private banks, asset managers and family offices – as well as product manufacturers, technology leaders and consultants – to debate these issues at the second annual ASEAN Wealth Management Summit.
