KUALA LUMPUR: Australia has identified an A$2bil (RM55.1bil) investment pipeline across South-East Asia as Canberra moves into a new phase of its regional economic cooperation, signalling a stronger commitment to deeper Asean integration.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pic) said his country’s ambition was to be participants, engaged partners, invested and embedded in the region’s growth, instead of remaining on the threshold of South-East Asia’s economic transformation.
The strengthened commitment, he said, was thanks to solid progress achieved last year, with two-way trade reaching a record high, increasing by nearly A$6bil (RM16.53bil), while Australian investment rose by around A$2bil (RM5.51bil) in South-East Asia.
"It’s been driven by our deal teams identifying potential projects across the region," he said in his special address at the Asean-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF) 2025 here on Monday (Oct 27).
"This combination means that Australia is making new investments in farming in Laos, energy in Thailand, infrastructure in Vietnam, and Toll (Group’s) transport and logistics across South-East Asia.
"From our government’s point of view, this is just the beginning. There is an A$20bil pipeline of projects where we see value for Australian capital and financing,” Albanese added.
To accelerate this progress, he announced new capital commitments, including A$175mil (RM482.2mil) into the IFM Investors Asia Fund, a move that will open markets in South-East Asia for 15 Australian superannuation funds.
"We will also invest US$50mil (RM210.8mil) to establish a new platform led by Plenary Group, an Australian specialist in public-private partnership infrastructure projects.
"This platform is expected to support much-needed infrastructure projects and deliver nation-building projects in South-East Asia,” he added.
As part of strengthening business facilitation, Albanese said Australia has also streamlined business visas, enhanced flexibility for frequent travellers and introduced a single front door to simplify foreign investment processes into the country.
"This is progress that we measure in acts of practical partnership where economic cooperation creates jobs, improves wages, and enhances opportunities.
"With deeper economic engagement, it brings increased understanding and strengthens peace and security for South-East Asia. That is why Australia is very proud to be invested in the region,” he said. – Bernama
