Southeast Asia's digital economy is expected to surpass 300 billion USD by the end of this year.

On November 11, three companies Google, Temasek and Bain & Company announced the 10th e-Conomy SEA report, according to which, the digital economy of Southeast Asia is expected to surpass the 300 billion USD mark by the end of this year, after a decade of strong growth.

This year's report expands its scope to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar for the first time, instead of focusing only on Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam as before.

According to Sapna Chadha, Vice President of Southeast Asia at Google, 10 years ago, the company predicted that the region's digital economy would reach $200 billion by 2025. In fact, the region achieved this goal three years early.

Revenue across the 10-country region is expected to reach $135 billion as profitability improves, the report said. The four new countries account for only about 2% of gross merchandise value (GMV), but could provide a more comprehensive picture of the region’s digital economy development.

The report covers GMV across e-commerce, food delivery, transportation, online travel , and online media, and the revenue side includes digital financial services. E-commerce is the largest segment, with GMV expected to reach $185 billion this year, with revenue reaching $41 billion. Online travel is the second-largest segment in Southeast Asia’s GMV, supported by high airfares and hotel prices, along with the relaxation of visa requirements. The report also noted that private investment in Southeast Asia increased by about 15% year-on-year to $8 billion.

In the field of artificial intelligence (AI), according to Mr. Fock Wai Hoong, head of Southeast Asia at Temasek, more than 2 billion USD has been poured into AI-related startups in the past year. According to him, although most AI companies are located in Singapore, the reality shows that AI is spreading across the region.

As the leading AI hub in the region, Singapore will receive $1.31 billion in private investment in AI from the second half of 2024 to the first half of 2025, representing a 55% increase. Singapore currently has nearly 500 active AI startups, out of a total of nearly 700 AI startups in the region.

Source: https://vtv.vn/dong-nam-a-but-pha-kinh-te-so-du-kien-vuot-300-ty-usd-cuoi-nam-nay-100251112053905095.htm