Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Southeast Asian economies, accounting for an average of 97% of all businesses and 69% of the national labor force across the region. However, SMEs face unique challenges as they have limited capital, resources, and staff; short life spans; and poor knowledge about government support.

Financial markets in East and Southeast Asia have become increasingly sophisticated and interlinked over the last two decades. A panel of experts discussed six new technologies that are helping financial market infrastructure evolve to meet the challenges of the digital age.

Post-COVID-19 limitations on fiscal space continue to affect Asia’s economic recovery and development agenda. The region’s sustainable growth challenges are compounded by spiking energy and food prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, exacerbating pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions. Many countries now face a difficult trade-off between retaining safeguards for affected people and firms and rebuilding fiscal buffers to reduce vulnerability and move toward a new normal.