The Asean Digital Economy PDF Download

English Abstract: The digital economy is emerging as a trend of the world economy. The digital economy is narrowly defined as online platforms and activities through them. In other words, the whole values, for instance, created by e-commerce and sharing economy platforms indicate the digital economy. However, in a broader sense, the digital economy goes beyond the realm of certain industries and enterprises. Digital technology is a general-purpose technology, like the internal combustion engine, that brings into force industry, economy, and society-wide innovation. The reason why industries and policy makers pay attention to the digital economy is more related the broad concept of the digital economy. That is, as new products and services backed by the Internet, data, and artificial intelligence technology are spreading, the expectation for the whole economy and industry-level innovation becomes higher. For Southeast Asian and South Asian countries, mainly composed of developing countries, the broader concept of the digital economy seems to be even more important because they seek for the leapfrogging of the economy and society as a whole. The digital economy proves its potential as a source of economic and social 'leapfrogging'. For instance, car hailing services such as Grab and Gojek are wide spread in Southeast Asia; OYO, the hotel booking services, is a big success in India. These cases are important in terms of realization of innovative businesses as well as response to the social demand response and improvement of quality of life quality. They also play a crucial role in creating jobs. Southeast and South Asian countries have a great potential in the digital economy: They generally maintain high economic growth rates, have large markets, young population, and decent ICT utilization levels, etc. The conditions for trade investment are also being improved. Though there are deviations between countries, they have strong incentives to promote digital innovation in order to achieve the qualitative advancement of industries and economy as a whole. Moreover, some countries already have a great competitiveness in digital innovation. The digital economy-related demands are expected to grow in Southeast and South Asian countries. For example, they experience rapid urbanization and demand for improving electricity supply, logistics, finances, etc. with the combination of digitalization. Some countries faces lack of digital skills and technologies, and look for cooperation with external partners. Under these conditions, Korea is potentially an intimate partner that can contribute to substantial leapfrogging of Southeast and South Asian countries. Korea, in term of both businesses and government policy (the New Southern Policy), is now trying to diversify the areas of cooperation with those countries beyond manufacturing sectors. Geographic and cultural proximity, as well as already constructed bilateral economic relationship, is the foundation for cooperation in the digital economy. Because the digita economy is relevant with society and culture as well as the economic and industrial areas, cooperation in the field of the digital economy can supplement the typical pattern of Korea and South East and South Asia relationship, mainly centered in manufacturing production network. Korea and Southeast and South Asian countries need to establish a comprehensive cooperation platform. Through this, they inform partners their digital economy-related agenda/interests and discuss ways for cooperation. Especially, it will provide chances for participants to identify mutual cooperation needs efficiently and specifically. Because cooperation needs in the digital economy are often discovered is unexpected niche areas, a regular dialogue channel is crucial to find specific demands and cooperation potentials. The dialogue platform should include private enterprises as well as policy makers. Innovative small businesses and start-ups should be the focus of cooperation. Korean start-ups' interests in Southeast Asia are now growing. Korean start-ups and venture companies enter Southeast Asian markets in diverse areas such as manufacturing, audiovisual, broadcasting and communication services, professional, scientific and technical services, healthcare, and cultural services. Southeast and South Asian countries are active in introducing foreign start-ups and professionals that possess innovative digital technologies and business models. Singapore, Indonesia and India have the world level start-up ecosystem and are active in investing in foreign start-ups. Meanwhile, as start-up ecosystems of Southeast and South Asia is relatively less known in Korea compared to the United States, Europe and China, needs for the information and connection with local support organizations is high. Korea has to actively participate in multilateral cooperation initiatives covering Southeast and South Asia. The digital economy is an essential element for the sustainable growth of this region, and a major task of external cooperation. For example, in 2017 APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) adopted 'APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap' in the Annual Ministerial Meeting(AMM) for the purpose of sharing basic principles among member countries to respond to changes brought by the Internet and the digital economy. The roadmap proposed 11 cooperation areas. Korea is expected to play a large role in many areas such as 'Development of digital infrastructure' and 'Promoting innovation and adoption of enabling technologies and services'. International cooperation in the digital economy seems quite different from that in traditional manufacturing sectors. We cannot apply the traditional compartments of industries to the digital economy. Based upon thorough understanding on the partner country's social context and characteristics, cooperation focusing on local society's demands is of great importance.