SC Champions ASEAN as an ASSET Class at the inaugural ASEAN Investment Roadshow (AIR) in London

Roadshow highlights ASEAN’s investment potential and Malaysia’s role as a gateway to regional opportunities

London, United Kingdom, 17 September 2026

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) convened the inaugural ASEAN Investment Roadshow in London earlier this week. Co-hosted with FTSE Russell, the event brought together around 100 key stakeholders and market participants including institutional investors, asset managers, regulators, index companies and media to highlight ASEAN’s potential as a long-term investment destination.

Held at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, one of the Inns of Court, the Roadshow aims to deepen investors understanding of investment opportunities in ASEAN and to share ongoing development undertaken to enhance the region’s accessibility and investability.

The event supports the agenda of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) and forms part of the SC’s efforts to connect international capital with opportunities across ASEAN, while positioning Malaysia as a gateway for regional fundraising and investments.

SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi said ASEAN's economic fundamentals and demographic strength, positions the region for greater international investor interest.

“ASEAN already has the economic scale, growth potential and diversity to warrant greater attention from global investors. Its diversity is a source of resilience and growth within an increasingly connected region.

Our focus is to highlight ASEAN's evolving investment landscape, the region's increasing appeal to global investors and its potential as an integrated and investable asset class with Malaysia as a gateway,” he said.

ASEAN is a USD4.26 trillion economy with a population of nearly 700 million and goods trade worth USD4.37 trillion. Yet, its representation in global investment portfolios remains relatively modest compared to its economic significance and growth potential.

Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, Distinguished Fellow, Asia Global Institute, University of Hong Kong added “ASEAN capital markets have a good story to tell but must tell it often to remind investors that we are the growth market in emerging markets”.

Malaysia’s role as a gateway to ASEAN is a key objective of the SC’s Capital Market Masterplan 2026–2030, which seeks to strengthen regional fundraising, investment opportunities, cross-border collaboration and regulatory cooperation. This is reflected in the recent Memorandum of Understanding between the SC and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission to facilitate dual-listed Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and the cross-listing of eligible funds, providing issuers and investors with broader market access and cross-border participation.

Jamie Perrett, Head of EMEA Index Product Management, Global Head of Index Research & Design, FTSE Russell Equities & Multi-Asset said “ASEAN’s growing economic scale will play an increasingly important role in global portfolios. Its distinctive mix of domestic demand, supply-chain diversification and transition financing can complement broader emerging-market exposure, while reforms across the region are making its capital markets increasingly accessible to global investors.”

The Roadshow reflects the SC’s commitment to strengthening ASEAN's and Malaysia’s visibility among global investors and advancing a more connected, accessible and investable regional capital market ecosystem.

SECURITIES COMMISSION MALAYSIA