ABSTRACT
Contemporary Southeast Asia is shifting the balance of global geopolitical and economic power. It is a major world region, with population numbers estimated to be approximately 600 million (9 per cent of the world's population), and a combined GDP of US$2 trillion (Asian Development Bank 2012; OECD 2013). The combined phenomena of the rapid economic growth, an expanding middle class, strong consumption growth, highly skilled labour, rich natural resources, cultural heritage, complex knowledge systems, competitively priced raw materials, and government-private sector innovation in the Southeast Asian region has resulted in its development as an important global socio-economic caucus (Asian Development Bank 2012; OECD 2013).
