Vietnam is well known as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, and a cornerstone of this growth is foreign direct investment (FDI). The Nikkei Asian Review noted that in 2018, FDI reached USD 19.1 billion—a sixth straight annual record.

Successive Thai governments have consistently emphasized the importance of improving Thailand’s standing as a foreign direct investment (FDI) destination, recognizing its significant impact on economic growth and stability, along with a host of other beneficial factors. This awareness, coupled with Thailand’s well-developed and modern legal framework, has persuaded many investors to identify Thailand as a business hub in Southeast Asia.

In recent years, remarkable reforms have been made to Myanmar’s legal, social, and economic commitments. The government has specifically focused on the liberalization of the market and the promotion of foreign direct investment—highlighted, for instance, by the Myanmar Investment Law (2016), and the Myanmar Companies Law (2017). The World Bank is projecting 6.5 percent growth in GDP in 2018–19, reflecting broad-based economic growth in the country.

Situated strategically between Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, the small, landlocked country of Laos has strong potential to be a crossroads for foreign investment. While its more economically powerful neighbors attract the largest share of investment, the economic outlook of Laos is good and continues to grow at a steady and impressive clip—6.5 percent in 2018—with mining and natural resources leading the way.