Economic integration in ASEAN+3: A network analysis

Abstract

This paper analytically and graphically explores the characteristics of ASEAN+3’s trade and Foreign Direct Investment integration over the 1990~2012 period by applying the tools of network analysis. Our results find evidence that the degree of trade and Foreign Direct Investment integration varies among ASEAN+3 member countries over the observation period. Second, ASEAN+3’s intra-regional trade network seems to be more densely connected than its intra-regional Foreign Direct Investment network. Third, we reveal that large and/or advanced countries seem to be better linked and form a subregional bloc of tightly connected economies only in terms of export absolute value. Therefore, ASEAN+3 has been experiencing a widening gap in the trend and patterns of intra-regional trade and Foreign Direct Investment among its member countries at different levels of economic development.