Asian Economic Integration Report 2025: Harnessing the Benefits of Regional Cooperation and Integration
This report analyzes how regional integration has driven economic growth in Asia and the Pacific and looks at how cooperation could mitigate external shocks.
Regional integration across Asia and the Pacific has progressed steadily over the past 2 decades, led by integration in trade and investment. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimates indicate the degree of Asia’s trade integration is comparable to that of the European Union plus the United Kingdom.
The report examines how integration has significantly impacted trade, global value chains, foreign direct investment, finance, migration, remittances, and tourism, and highlights that a renewed focus on regional cooperation could cushion external shocks. Modernizing trade and investment agreements, enhancing regional financial arrangements, and advancing digitalization could help drive economic prosperity, bridge the digital divide, and navigate challenges in the coming decades.
Contents
- Overview
- Trade and Global Value Chains
- Cross-Border Investment
- Financial Integration
- Movement of People
- Statistical Appendix
