ASEAN
Economic integration is gaining momentum in the ASEAN region, an area where significant growth is expected going forward.
We are determined to create a new era for the ASEAN region, backed by strong relationships of trust with our business partners.
Chihiro Shikama
Executive Officer, Regional CEO for ASEAN
Marubeni ASEAN Pte. Ltd. and our Strategy
In April 2009, Marubeni established "Marubeni ASEAN Pte. Ltd." in Singapore as the regional headquarters for ASEAN.
ASEAN has formed a common economic entity to accelerate competitiveness by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers in the region by 2010 for the original 6 member countries,* and by 2015 for all 10 member countries.** It is strongly believed that this unified market production base can achieve greater growth over the medium term, which will further boost the confidence of the alliance. At present, the average age of the region’s population (estimated at 580 million) is extremely young, around 26. This demographic means it is almost certain that ASEAN will transform into a promising consumer market as the number of middle-income households expands in line with economic growth. The region’s close geographic proximity to the massive Chinese and Indian markets is another advantage that will prove important in determining growth.
In the ASEAN region, Marubeni launched business activities in the Philippines around a century ago, and has operated in Singapore and Indonesia for five decades. Backed by this long history, the Company has already acquired both a good reputation and trust among customers in these countries. To take further advantage of these strengths, Marubeni ASEAN Pte. Ltd. will encourage information sharing and alliances between business bases, viewing ASEAN as a single area rather than as individual countries, and promoting area-wide management in the region to build new businesses from a transnational standpoint.
Marubeni ASEAN Pte. Ltd. is intensively pursuing various business opportunities, focusing particularly in four fields — food (agriculture), resources, infrastructure, and environment & new energy.
Food (agriculture) is an area where stable growth is anticipated irrespective of today’s severe economic climate. In resources, while Marubeni is presently involved in a large-scale afforestation business in Indonesia, the Company will identify and increase investment in other high-quality projects of this kind. Meanwhile infrastructure such as electric power, water and traffic systems has long been a strong suit for Marubeni. Environment & new energy has become a promising field where further growth is certain going forward. Through the combined effort of pooling expertise and resources and working together across boundaries with the common goal of advancing regional growth, Marubeni ASEAN Pte. Ltd. will aggressively promote businesses in these fields, take on more new businesses with our local partners, and usher in a new era for the Company in the ASEAN region.
* 6 original ASEAN member countries: Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines
** 10 ASEAN member countries: The original 6 countries and Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar
