THE ASEAN RACE TOWARD $250-M AND $500-M EXPORTS BILLION-DOLLAR EXPORTS BY COUNTRY

The Philippines is far behind in the race for billion-dollar exports of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. In 2014, the leaders were Thailand with 12 product exports and Vietnam with eight. Indonesia had six, Singapore four, Malaysia three and the Philippines had only two (see Table 1).

Meanwhile, among ASEAN economies, these are the countries which were able to send off exports of $500M to less than $1 billion. Indonesia had six export products in the range and Malaysia with five. Thailand had two and Vietnam, one. The Philippines and Singapore had none. In Asia and Australasia, China had 16 and India, 12, which make them have the most diversified exports (see Table 2).

Exports ($250M to less than $500 million). Indonesia had the most diversified base at 10, followed by Malaysia at seven, Thailand, six, and Vietnam, five. The Philippines had three while Singapore Table 2 Table 1 Thailand Vietnam Indonesia Singapore Malaysia 12 Rice pre -2001, rubber pre-2001, crustaceans pre-2001, prepared crustaceans (mainly shrimp) 2001, prepared fish 2003, sugar 2007, prepared meat (mainly chicken) 2007, dried cassava 2012, animal feed prep (mainly petfood) 2012, cassava starch 2012, preserved fruits 2015, miscellaneous food preparation 2014 8 Crustaceans (shrimp) pre-2001, rice 2005, natural rubber 2006, coffee 2006, fish fillets 2007, cashew nuts 2010, prepared shrimp 2013, black pepper 2014 6 Crustaceans (mainly shrimp) pre-2001, palm oil 2001, natural rubber 2002, coconut and palm kernel oil 2008, coffee beans 2011, cocoa beans 2009 (shifted to processed cacao after) 4 Spirits 2008, malt extracts 2011, food preparations 2013, cigar and cigarettes 2015 3 Palm oil pre-2001, natural rubber 2004, vegetable fats and fractions 2007 Philippines 2 Coconut oil 2008, banana 2014