The digital economy in Southeast Asia: Emerging policy priorities and opportunities for regional collaboration

Abstract

Southeast Asia’s digital economy2 is expanding at an unprecedented rate. This is evidenced by the rise of technology ‘unicorn’ companies valued at more than US$1 billion (four of which are in Indonesia), cross-border e-commerce platforms and the growing number of entrepreneurs who are innovating and using technology to grow. The use of digital technologies has the potential to transform—indeed, disrupt—all sectors of the economy, from logistics and finance to agriculture and social services.