Editor profile

Carlos Mendoza

Senior Analyst, Infrastructure & Outlook

Carlos Mendoza monitors large-scale infrastructure projects and long-term economic growth patterns in Southeast Asia. He provides strategic outlooks on energy, transport, and urbanization trends.

carlos.mendoza@aseaninsight.org

Bylined articles

ASEAN Briefing

How Hong Kong Reshapes Malaysia’s Industrial Upgrading Path — A Capital and Technology Hub under ASEAN’s 'China+' Strategy

From the perspective of ASEAN regional economic integration, this article analyzes Hong Kong's role as a capital, technology, and supply chain hub in Malaysia's industrial upgrading. Hong Kong is not only an investment and financing bridge between China and ASEAN, but also a key enabler for Malaysia's manufacturing industry to move toward high value-added and digital transformation. By analyzing the synergies between Hong Kong and Malaysia in fields such as the green economy, electronics manufacturing, and supply chain management, the article reveals the long-term significance of bilateral cooperation for enhancing the overall competitiveness of ASEAN.

Carlos Mendoza6 min read
Infrastructure Watch

Made in Vietnam in the First Half of 2026: The Key Engine in ASEAN Supply Chain Restructuring

In the first half of 2026, Vietnam's GDP grew by 8.18%, manufacturing value-added increased by 10.23%, the PMI remained in expansion territory, and the IIP hit a new high since 2019. This article analyzes the deeper significance of this growth for supply chain restructuring and regional industrial division of labor from the perspective of the ASEAN region.

Carlos Mendoza3 min read
Digital ASEAN

ASEAN Digital Economy Integration: A Breakthrough for Regional Coordination from the Mekong-US Policy Dialogue

This article is based on the meeting report of the Bangkok Mekong-US Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue in August 2025, providing an in-depth analysis from an ASEAN regional perspective of key issues in digital economy development—energy constraints, cyber trust, SMEs, data governance, and labor—and exploring long-term pathways for regional collaboration.

Carlos Mendoza5 min read
Cross-Border Trade

Southeast Asia's Cross-border E-commerce Logistics Market Accelerates Integration: Driven by the Triangle of Infrastructure, Technology, and Policy

A report shows that the Southeast Asian cross-border e-commerce logistics market will reach $9.08 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to $15.39 billion by 2030. Regional infrastructure connectivity, technological upgrades, and policy adjustments jointly drive market growth, with Thailand and Indonesia becoming key battlegrounds.

Carlos Mendoza3 min read
Digital ASEAN

Indonesia's mobile service revenue will reach $12.1 billion by 2030: Data consumption and 5G drive the transformation of ASEAN's largest digital economy

Based on GlobalData's forecast, Indonesia's mobile service revenue will reach $12.1 billion by 2030, driven by data consumption and 5G deployment, while voice revenue continues to decline. This trend reflects the digital acceleration of ASEAN's largest economy and provides new momentum for regional supply chain and digital economy integration.

Carlos Mendoza3 min read
Cross-Border Trade

From trader to value chain integrator: Xiamen International Trade's ASEAN supply chain upgrade path

At the third Global Expansion Summit, Xiamen ITG proposed a transformation path from global trader to value chain integrator. Its practices in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore demonstrate how Chinese supply chain enterprises deeply embed themselves into the ASEAN industrial ecosystem, driving the restructuring and upgrading of regional supply chains.

Carlos Mendoza4 min read
ASEAN Briefing

From "Manufacturing Workshop" to "Value Capture": Malaysia's Transformation Sets a Benchmark for ASEAN Industrial Upgrading

The Chief Investment Officer of Malaysia's Khazanah Nasional pointed out that Malaysia must move beyond traditional manufacturing and break away from the "hotel economy" model. This transformation is not only crucial to the nation's destiny but also provides ASEAN economies with a roadmap for leaping from assembly bases to innovation hubs.

Carlos Mendoza4 min read
ASEAN Briefing

Accelerating Digital Transformation: Cambodia 5G, AI and Cybersecurity Summit Reveals New Trends in ASEAN Enterprise Transformation

Cambodia's leading telecom operator Smart convened business leaders to promote the implementation of 5G, AI, and cybersecurity in enterprises. This event reflects the long-term trend of accelerated development of the digital economy and surging demand for digital transformation among enterprises in Cambodia and the ASEAN region.

Carlos Mendoza2 min read