As technological developments continue to change our world in exciting new ways, Southeast Asia Infrastructure examines the emerging use of mobile phones as virtual wallets in our region. The story “Mobile Money” reveals that operators in our region are increasingly including “mobile money” services in their packages, often in collaboration with banks, with varying degrees of success. We look at both the potential and the challenges that lie ahead. In addition to the latest developments in the telecom sector, we bring you stories on three other regional sectors – water, power, and ports.
With huge losses of water due to corroded pipelines, leakages, and theft, countries in Southeast Asia are increasingly facing the need to reduce non-revenue-earning water supply and generation. This month’s article on water, “Work in Progress”, reviews the steps being taken by different countries to tackle this pressing problem.
With regional energy demand set to jump by more than 80 per cent by 2035, and with growing concerns about the environmental impact of power generation, hydro projects are looking increasingly inviting. Our story, “Exploring Cleaner Avenues”, highlights that Southeast Asia’s abundant water resources make hydro projects an even more promising prospect for environment-friendly and affordable power generation. Countries with big hydro generation plans include Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Given the number of islands and the length of coastlines in Southeast Asia, seaborne trade is of obvious importance in the economic growth of the region, both historically as well as in the contemporary world. However, decades of underinvestment in countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar means that they face constraints in expanding their sea trade. Better facilities could greatly underpin economic growth, but will need a huge infusion of capital, provision of reliable connectivity to other modes of transport, and extensive use of advanced technology.
This month’s focus story, “Going Strong”, is about Malaysia’s strong infrastructure base as well as its potential for further development to support its continued economic growth. Among the specific measures to help infrastructure development is Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Programme and its impressive share in the global market for sukuk, the Islamic equivalent of bonds. We investigate the potential of this financial instrument in driving growth in Malaysia.
A second story from Malaysia, “Setting its Sights on the Future” reviews the world’s largest low-cost airport terminal, with a capacity to handle 45 million passengers a year.
Other national stories assess Vietnam’s ambitious new metro projects and its natural gas sector.