The Business of Investing in Southeast Asia: A Practitioner's Perspective

Nicholas Khaw Head of Research and Co-Head of Private Markets, Investments at Khazanah Nasional Berhad

Moderator: Mattias Fibiger, Harvard Business School

Registration appreciated, but not required.

Southeast Asia ("SEA") is home to some of the most dynamic economies in the world. With the region’s rising middle-class consumption and strong GDP growth numbers and especially in light of current geopolitical tensions and trade war, "pivots to ASEAN" have grown increasingly common over the past decade. Yet, robust economic growth has not necessarily translated to robust investment returns, particularly returns that are accessible to the public and to public markets investors. Returns to labor and returns to public markets capital have been poor, with the exception of three or four large banks within the region. This discussion will delve into this conundrum, roping in perspectives from finance, economics, business history, political history and more.