Most nations in Southeast Asia are working to industrialize and become major trading ports and manufacturing centers. Consequentially, more people will begin to work industrialized jobs instead of farming. Thus, efforts should be directed at boosting human capital quality, through better education services and capacity building to optimize knowledge transfers.
Frequently, social disagreements about the sharing of economic benefits of natural resources often exacerbate existing religious, cultural and social tensions. Understanding the complexity of how sustainable development initiatives are changing labor demand is paramount to overcoming resistance to reforms.
Recognize the pressures that Southeast Asian economies face as they increasingly shift to a sustainable development framework.
Align/coordinate labor market models and skill training to ensure that the business and local communities both benefit from entrepreneurial opportunities.
Acknowledge the social dimension of economic growth initiatives to capitalize on the window of opportunity that the region has now to sustain its wealth of natural resources.
Lock-in resource-efficient and resilient infrastructure, attract investment, and create employment in the increasingly dynamic and competitive sectors of green technology and renewable energy.
While Vietnam has one of the largest labor forces in the world, it does not come without its challenges. The country is developing rapidly and becoming an attractive hub for businesses, but most laborers are from rural areas and are untrained in industrial skills, creating a gap the supply and demand for skilled workers. Solving the disparity of laborers is a top priority for Vietnam.
Bangladesh has enjoyed booming economic progress for decades and is looking to become a more developed nation. Bangladesh has been under pressure to change as the European Union and North American countries experience success by maintaining their worker rights standards and improve their factories working conditions. With this push forward into the future, Bangladesh is recognizing its areas of improvement, chiefly issues surrounding human capital seen through skill shortage and poor workplace safety. Addressing these issues will remove a major obstacle to the region’s success.
Ecotourism in Southeast Asia connects the world to the dedicated conservation efforts underway in the region. With thousands of acres of rainforest and hundreds of new species being discovered on the island nations, ecotourism is the best possible way to educate tourists about threatened habitats through a memorable adventure that’s sure to garner lifelong support.
Southeast Asia has one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world. However, it is being threatened by overfishing and destructive fishing practices. Protecting this resource will prove crucial to ensure food security and revenue generation.
Across the globe, resources determine the economy of a region. In Southeast Asia, sustainable management and use of its unique natural resources are pivotal to local communities and global future generations.
