INSIGHTS FROM JUWAI IQI CEO – ASEAN SUMMIT COULD DELIVER HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF RINGGIT IN BENEFITS TO MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur, 22 May 2025 – This month’s ASEAN Summit might be a hassle for drivers in Kuala Lumpur, but the agreements that result could deliver hundreds of billions of ringgit to Malaysia’s economy and real estate market by 2030, according to insights released today by Juwai IQI Co-Founder and Group CEO Kashif Ansari.
“The ASEAN Summit brings together regional leaders to find ways to further integrate our economies and promote trade between now and 2030,” said Mr, Ansari. “Industry leaders will be watching closely to see what’s in store for us.
ASEAN Summit’s Potential Payoff to Malaysia
| Strategic Area | Estimated Benefit |
| Progress on Regional Economic Integration | RM110.9 billion to be added annually via the JSSEZ by 2030, say government estimates. Also 20,000 skilled jobs and 50 new investment projects.1 |
| ASEAN Trade Integration, Harmonisation | ASEAN’s trade should reach US$4.7 trillion by 2027, says UOB.2 If Malaysia maintains its 19.3% share, Malaysian trade could hit RM3,869 billion. Exports could reach RM 2,133 billion by 2030, says Standard Chartered.3 |
| Rising Cross-Border and Foreign Investment | RM300 billion in cumulative FDI by 2030, says UOB Research.4 |
1 https://www.ft.com/content/f5821f92-e437-4d65-9297-5b32b5c1b7bd
2 https://www.uob.com.sg/assets/web-resources/research/pdf/ac-240902.pdf
3 https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/malaysias-exports-to-hit-almost-us500b-by-2030-stanchart-report 4 https://www.mida.gov.my/mida-news/malaysia-on-track-to-bring-in-more-than-rm50b-in-fdi-by-2030-uob-research/
“What’s at stake is potential agreements that could help make Malaysia wealthier by 2030. It is especially important for the ASEAN nations to work together now, at this global turning point. We face a complicated world, with global strategic rivalries, new technologies, and AI disruptions. They create risks but also present opportunities that the ASEAN nations can seize together.
Forecast: RM300 Billion of Inbound Investment and RM2,133 Billion of Exports
“For today’s data, we looked at three major areas of improvement where the Summit could boost Malaysia’s economy: regional integration, ASEAN unity in global trade, and foreign direct investment. Changes in these three areas could mean hundreds of billions of ringgit in additional trade and capital over the coming years.
“The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, or JSSEZ, is a prime example of integration. According to government projections, the JSSEZ, could be contributing as much as RM110.9 billion to Malaysia’s economy every year by 2030. This JSSEZ alone is also expected to create 20,000 skilled jobs and attract at least 50 new investment projects.
“Tighter integration across all ASEAN could boost Malaysia’s total trade volume significantly, to about RM3,869 billion by 2027. Also, our exports could reach an all time high. The projections point to RM2,133 billion in annual export volume by 2030. This would result in more jobs and higher wages right here in Malaysia.
“While the agreements coming out of the Summit could have us shipping more goods out by 2030, we will also be receiving more inbound foreign direct investment, or FDI. FDI should exceed RM300 billion over the next five years, with that money going into local innovation, infrastructure, employment, and property.
RM15 Billion In Indirect Benefits to Real Estate Sector
“The economic gains I am discussing would, of course, have a sizable impact on Malaysia’s real estate markets. Based on IQI’s analysis, FDI inflows during this period will generate at least RM15 billion in new real estate activity. That includes industrial parks, commercial centres, logistics hubs, and housing developments.
“To arrive at this estimate, we applied a conservative five per cent ratio. With RM300 billion of foreign direct investment projected by 2030, we estimate RM15 billion, or five per cent, will be channelled into the real estate industry.
“We have estimated this five per cent ratio between FDI and real estate based on typical patterns we’ve seen in across the region. The real number could be lower, or much higher.
“Already in the past few years, global brands are building data centres, EV facilities, and logistics hubs. These developments create high-quality property demand in the industrial sector and also have spillover in housing, office, and retail.
“I hope we can all look past the short-term frustrations of traffic delays to the big picture. This ASEAN Summit is a platform for improving Malaysia’s future. If regional
leaders can agree to deepen intra-ASEAN trade, harmonise regulations, and reduce trade barriers, Malaysia and all our partner nations will benefit.
“There’s an old joke that, if you earn a billion ringgit here and another billion ringgit there, before long you will have some real wealth. What’s at stake in this month’s ASEAN summit is indeed real wealth for Malaysia.”
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