KUALA LUMPUR – The Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) is in the process of establishing the Asean Private Markets Association, expected to be formalised by year-end.
Asean-BAC Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak said a pro tem committee comprising members from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia is working towards the association’s formal establishment.
“The idea is to create a platform to advise governments on enhancing policies to develop the private markets industry, including venture capital and private equity, across Asean,” he told reporters after delivering his welcoming address at the Asean Business Forum 2025 here today.
Nazir said the association could help overcome market fragmentation issues and drive the region’s industry development.
“We estimate that up to US$60 billion (US$1 = RM4.26) in capital should be channelled to Asean private equity and venture funds, but certain reforms are needed to reduce market fragmentation and improve conditions for investment monetisation,” he said.
According to Nazir, the council conducted a research report with McKinsey, which shows Asean private markets are underdeveloped, estimated at only 0.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to the global benchmark average of 1.5 per cent of GDP.
“The report shows that the private markets industry is extremely important to the economy but remains too small in Asean,” said Nazir.
On another note, Nazir said Asean stands at a pivotal moment and hopes the region can move forward with economic integration.
“This year at Asean-BAC, our priorities and activities have been carefully designed to capture the essence of the current opportunities and challenges confronting us.
“We have strived to facilitate dialogues, forge partnerships and propose actionable recommendations that will empower Asean businesses to capitalise on growing intra-regional collaboration, and to lead in adopting cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices,” he added. – May 29, 2025