Structural policy challenges for Southeast Asian countries

Abstract

Many Southeast Asian countries are searching for new growth and development strategies to reflect the changing growth dynamism in the region and international market conditions. Policy makers in the region recognise the need to adapt their development strategies and indeed have included several new elements towards a new growth model in their medium-term development plans, which include human capital development, social and labour market policies, green economies and disparity issues. Implementation of the new development strategies will require the adoption of a comprehensive package of reform measures. Enhancement of productivity through structural policy reforms will be the key to the success of the new development strategies in the region. Starting from the second edition, this Outlook includes Structural Policy Country Notes on selected Southeast Asian countries – this year we have notes on seven countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The policy areas discussed in each note are identified in the national development plans of the country concerned. These structural policy country notes address what kinds of elements will be important for the new development strategies in Asia and how the countries incorporate new development models into their medium-term plans.