ASEAN offers an infrastructure network that allows businessmen faster connection with countries within and outside the region. As of 2022, the region has at least 76 international airports and over 300 major ports.¹  Its road networks extend beyond urban areas. In many ASEAN countries, public transportation systems are among the world’s best.

In the Infrastructure Index 2022 based on data from the World Population Review, Singapore leads in ASEAN, ranking 12th out of 63 countries evaluated in terms of water availability, quality of electricity supply, public transportation, airports, and traffic congestion.²

The Future of ASEAN Infrastructure

Investors can expect further improvements in ASEAN infrastructure. The region has laid out different strategies to ensure the realisationof several priority infrastructure projects under the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025. Projects include the completion of the ASEAN Highway Network, implementation of the Singapore Kunming Rail Link project, realisationof the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM) Project, among others.³

The ASEAN Highway Network (AHN) involves the integration of lagging areas in the region, covering the completion of 1,086 km of roads. The upgrade of high-traffic volume Class II and III road sections includes the completion of the Priority Transit Transport Routes (TTR). The Singapore Kunming Rail Link meanwhile is expected to complete some remaining implementations, such as finishing the feasibility studies and developing the implementation framework.⁴

ASEAN is mobilizing significant financial resources for these infrastructure projects. Various funding mechanisms include the Asia Bond Fund (ABF); the Asian Bond Market Initiative (ABMI); the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF); the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB); the New Development Bank (NDB); and the expanded Partnership for Quality Infrastructure (PQI).⁵