ABSTRACT
The use of the intensity of use (IU) approach is merited by its simple application and proven accurate results. This chapter looks at developments in Southeast Asia focusing upon the demand for steel. Accounting for indirect consumption through trade is an important consideration and may adequately explain the difference in IU for steel between Japan and Southeast Asian countries. Metal consumption by Southeast Asian countries lags well behind the developed and the East Asian countries. Southeast Asian countries, especially Thailand and the Philippines have dual economies: they are agricultural based, and also produce plastics, semiconductors and electronics. The lower trend of IU of steel for Southeast Asian countries, which have comparative advantage in sectors other than those in which metal or steel is used intensively, is therefore adequately justified. The chapter reviews major infrastructure developments in progress in each country.
