ASEAN’s steady rise in the Global Innovation Index (GII) marks a pivotal milestone in the journey towards becoming a global innovation hub, highlighting the region's growing creativity, technological advancement, digitalisation and entrepreneurial spirit.

With confident economic growth, ASEAN aspires to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, advancing toward building a dynamic and innovative community.

The path forward involves leveraging innovation as a foundational strength to unlock untapped potential for an ASEAN long-term growth and sustainable prosperity.

The key question is: What will be the game-changer? The answer lies in the power of intangible assets. As outlined in the ASEAN Community Economic (AEC) Vision 2045, focusing on nurturing and developing the intangible economy holds the key to driving productivity, innovation and sustainable economic growth, positioning ASEAN as a future global epicentre.

Unseen power: how intangibles can drive growth?

In today’s global economy, intangible assets have become the primary drivers of innovation and competitiveness. These asset encompass elements such as research and development (R&D), know-how, software and data, design, brands, reputation, and organizational expertise. Though often unseen, intangibles are vital in a knowledge-based world, reshaping how value is generated globally, and how wealth and prosperity is distributed.

As the global economy increasingly relies on knowledge and innovation, the value and impact of intangibles are profound. In 2023, global intangible value reached nearly US$62 trillion, an eight per cent increase from over US$57 trillion in 2022.[1] Investment in intangible assets reached US$6.9 trillion in 2023, growing at three times the rate of tangible investments since 2008.[2] Sectors prioritising intangibles have recorded 28 per cent higher growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) than others,[3] whereas companies heavily investing in intangibles outperform and generate 2.6 times more GVA than their peers.[4] In fact, 90 per cent of the value of the world’s top 500 companies is derived from their intangible assets,[5] proving that most valuable firms enhance their competitiveness and market value from intangible rather than “tangible” capital.[6]

The importance of intangible assets extends beyond individual businesses to the prosperity of countries and regions. Countries prioritising intangible investments consistently outperform others, with such investments accounting for over 16 per cent of GDP in highly intangible-intensive economies. Developed countries have shown strong economic resilience, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, when intangible investments allowed businesses to pivot swiftly and maintain productivity.[7]

For ASEAN, leveraging intangible assets is no longer an option, it’s an imperative. By unlocking the region’s intangible assets, ASEAN can transform this moment of promise into a legacy of tangible growth, securing its position as a global leader in innovation, productivity and prosperity.

Has ASEAN been ready?

ASEAN stands at a promising position, poised to harness the transformative power of intangible assets, supported by a dynamic economic landscape, decades of investment in education and social improvements, a youthful population, strong IP-driven innovation ecosystem, thriving SMEs, and an expanding digital economy. As the world’s fifth-largest economy, ASEAN combined GDP exceeded US$3.8 trillion in 2022 with total trade reaching US$3.5 trillion in 2023. Nearly half of the region’s population of 680 million is under 35, providing a skilled labour force ready to drive innovation and fuel the growth of intangible assets.

Over the past decade, ASEAN has strengthened its efforts to promote innovation through various initiatives in research and development (R&D), intellectual property rights (IPR), and support for SMEs and startups. Between 2012 and 2022, the region experienced a 70 per cent increase in patent applications, an 80 per cent rise in industrial design filings, and a 110 per cent surge in trademark applications.[8] Gross R&D expenditure has quintupled from US$10.6 billion in 2002 to US$54.9 billion in 2023. Consequently, ASEAN has become a leader in high-tech exports, climbing from US$303 billion in 2013 to US$598 billion in 2022, with five Member States in the top 10 globally for high-tech exports. The latest 2024 GII shows three ASEAN countries were among the top eight fastest movers of the index, with six entering the top 55 out of 133 economies.[9]

SMEs and startups, which constitute over 97 per cent of ASEAN enterprises, play a crucial role in job creation and GDP growth. In 2022, ASEAN attracted US$110 billion in venture capital, a 60 per cent increase from pre-pandemic levels, and the number of unicorns has grown from two in 2014 to over 50 today.[10] ASEAN Member States (AMS) have made significant strides in digital adoption, creating new opportunities for innovation and intangible asset development. The region’s digital economy is projected to reach US$1 trillion by 2030, driven by increasing internet penetration and an increasingly tech-savvy population. The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) aims to further enhance this growing commitment to the digital economy, aiming to uplift the regional GDP by US$2 trillion by 2030.

However, challenges remain that impede the full unlocking of intangible assets and ASEAN is actively addressing these hurdles. The region is making strides towards reducing its reliance on imported technology while increasing its R&D investments. Significant progress has been made in improving IP regulations, and ongoing efforts are underway to strengthen the enforcement of IPR and bridge the digital divide. While the pace of digital adoption varies with some AMS advancing rapidly and others gradually enhancing their digital infrastructure, internet access and tech literacy. ASEAN is committed to minimising this disparity, ensuring all member states can fully participate in and benefit from the digital transformation, thereby optimising the advantages of intangible assets across the region.

Furthermore, there is a growing opportunity for many SMEs in the region to transition from importers to exporters of home-grown technological solutions, enhancing their competitiveness. This shift will involve embracing innovation through new business processes and product designs, supported by improved access to funding for R&D and digitalisation. ASEAN's strategic position in supply chains and economic mobility provides a strong foundation for enhanced intra-ASEAN cooperation, allowing member states to fully capitalise on these inherent advantages.

Charting the ASEAN strategic pathway

As ASEAN stands on the brink of transformation, unlocking its intangible assets is crucial for achieving ambitious economic goals and realising the AEC Vision 2045.

There are several key strategic pathways towards achieving this vision:

First, investing in a regional innovation ecosystem that empowers SMEs and startups is crucial. To fully leverage intangible assets, ASEAN must foster a robust innovation ecosystem that champions small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups. Investment in incubators, accelerators and funding mechanisms can provide the necessary support to help these businesses flourish. Facilitating access to mentorship programmes, grants and venture capital will empower SMEs and startups to innovate, develop IP and reach their full potential. This proactive approach will nurture a vibrant entrepreneurial landscape that fuels the region's economic growth.

Second, strengthening IP protection and IP valuation is fundamental for nurturing innovation and safeguarding intangible assets. Stronger IP frameworks and consistent enforcement across member states can boost R&D investments and attract higher levels of foreign direct investment, leading to greater innovation. ASEAN should advocate for stronger IP laws and consistent enforcement across member states. Improved IP valuation practices will empower regional businesses to recognise and leverage their intangible assets effectively, fostering a culture of respect for IP and attracting more sustainable domestic and foreign investments.

Third, advancing digitalisation and talent development while bridging the digital divide is critical. Investing in digital infrastructure and prioritising STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and digital skills training will ensure the workforce thrives in a knowledge-driven economy. Moreover, as digital transformation progresses, addressing the widening digital divide will enable all ASEAN nations to fully participate in and benefit from the digital economy. By fostering a tech-savvy population and ensuring equitable access to digital resources, ASEAN can unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic participation.

Fourth, deepening regional cooperation and integration is imperative. ASEAN should focus on sharing best practices, harmonising policies, and creating regional innovation hubs to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration. Aligning with the post-2025 vision, the focus will be on IP commercialisation strategies and establishing a unified IP register to streamline IP management across the region. This cooperative effort will enhance ASEAN's collective competitiveness in the global market and foster a unified innovation ecosystem, enabling member states to capitalise on their unique strengths and drive innovation.

At this transformative juncture, the opportunity to unlock the ASEAN immense potential of intangible assets for growth, innovation and prosperity is now. By investing in our innovation ecosystems, enhancing IP frameworks, fostering digitalisation and deepening regional collaboration, we can turn intangible assets into tangible growth.

“Our decision and dedication to strategically unlock intangible assets are key to ASEAN’s future. Through our united efforts to ignite this power, ASEAN will not only secure economic prosperity but also ascend as a global leader in innovation. Let us embrace this moment to define a lasting legacy of a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN for generations to come.” – Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.

-- BERNAMA

Satvinder Singh is the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community.

[1] BrandFinance, 2023, “Value of Global Intangible Assets Regains Some Ground After Sharp Decline”, at https://brandfinance.com/press-releases/value-of-global-intangible-assets-regains-some-ground-after-sharp-decline

[2] WIPO, 2024, “World Intangible Investment Highlights”, at https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo-pub-rn2024-32-en-world-intangible-investment-highlights.pdf

[3] Hazan E et al, 2021, “Gettting tangible about intangible: the future of growth and productivity?”, McKinsey Global Insititute, at:

[4] WIPO, 2024, “World Intangible Investment Highlights”, at https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo-pub-rn2024-32-en-world-intangible-investment-highlights.pdf

[5] WIPO, “The importance of intangible assets”, at https://www.wipo.int/web/intangible-assets

[6] Demmou L. and Franco G., 2021, “Mind the financing gap: enhancing the contribution of intangible assets to productivity”, OECD Working Papers, at: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/mind-the-financing-gap-enhancing-the-contribution-of-intangible-assets-to-productivity_7aefd0d9-en

[7] WIPO, 2024, “World Intangible Investment Highlights”, at https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo-pub-rn2024-32-en-world-intangible-investment-highlights.pdf

[8] ASEAN IP Register.

[9] In WIPO GII 2024: AMS at the top 10 globally in high-tech exports: Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam; the top eight fastest movers over the past decade: Viet Nam (76th to 44th), Philippines (90th to 53rd) and Indonesia (85th to 54th); AMS have moved up in the top 55: Singapore (4th), Malaysia (33rd), Thailand (41st), Viet Nam (44th), Philippines (53rd) and Indonesia (54th). Others demonstrated encouraging progress in Market Sophistication, Knowledge & Technology outputs, and Institutions, while Myanmar has seen improvements in innovation outputs, and Brunei Darussalam continues to build a dynamic and forward-thinking innovation environment.

[10] ASEAN Investment Report 2022, Pandemic Recovery and Investment Facilitation