Asean region offers bounty, but patience and courage is required

摘要

IN some ways, the global crisis might turn out to have a silver lining for Australian companies looking to export to Asia, as there are signs that the situation is pushing the governments of the region to 'rebalance' their economic strategies, looking less to exports - especially to the US, Japan, and Europe - and more to domestic consumption to drive their economies. This fits with the emergence of a substantial middle class across the region, looking to an improved quality of life, a better environment, and greater choice and variety of products.