Unlocking Southeast Asia: Why The 2025 Australia-ASEAN Business Forum in Adelaide 26–27 August is a Game-Changer for Australian SMEs.
ASEAN is calling—and the opportunity is enormous! With a combined GDP exceeding $6 trillion AUD and a population of over 684 million in 2025, this powerhouse region offers Australian SMEs a gateway to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Annual growth rates of 4.2–4.6% set the stage for bold innovators ready to seize world-class export and import, partnership, and transformation prospects.
A heartfelt thank you to visionary chairman Francis Wong, OAM OSJ and the unstoppable Kadie Dinh and their team. With more than 600 delegates brought together, they’ve created a vibrant launchpad where entrepreneurial drive and real connections thrive—not only for industry giants but for every visionary and ambitious Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). Their commitment to empowering smaller businesses is truly building pathways to prosperity and regional impact.
It was awe inspiring to attend the Forum with Lina Tjoeng; wearing our SME entrepreneurial hat was a privilege and a thrill. The energy was contagious—high-impact networking, breakthrough partnership opportunities, and sector insights to spark profound growth and innovation for Australian SMEs.
Some of the great highlights for SMEs:
1. Empowerment at the core.
Dedicated SME/MSME sessions by influential speakers: industry leaders and public officials shared actionable insights enabled cross-border collaboration, giving small medium businesses the strategies and contacts to expand globally, including “Empowering SME for Growth and Investment” session; “The Digital Economy Revolution – Shaping the Future of Innovation and Growth” session, “ A Practical Guide to Market Entry and Expansion” session and “Harnessing Ai, Cyber security and Innovation “ session .
2. Understanding Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
This Trade agreement is a massive free trade deal signed by 15 Indo-Pacific countries, creating the world’s largest economic bloc.
3. Trade exhibition access.
Direct interaction with decision-makers and potential partners from ASEAN and RCEP countries—including Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, and Korea—means new markets and new deals.
4. Into market access.
Export pathways and the very frameworks that will shape SMEs’ future success.
5. Networking and collaboration
Break time and Gala Dinner fostering meaningful networking.
What a truly inspirational experience! The passion and vision at the Forum have strengthened our SME business community, ignited partnerships, and set us on course for transformational growth across the Asia-Pacific.
Let’s ride this momentum—dare to dream bigger, collaborate bolder, and shape a new era for Australian SMEs in Southeast Asia. Here’s to more connections, prosperity, and game-changing achievements ahead.
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