EDITOR’S NOTE

Issue 180

Given the challenges of living in the present, it can always be tempting to indulge in nostalgia. And our Emerging Markets issue always gives us the opportunity to do just that.

Although ostensibly a window into the future—an insight to the destinations around Southeast and South Asia that are primed for change—it also never fails to inspire wonderment at the evolution that has occurred in this region over the past couple of decades.

It was only just a few years ago that cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Jakarta fell squarely into the up-and-comers category. Fast forward to the present and these destinations—and other former investment frontiers—are well and truly established.

Yet while the wild (and some might say more thrilling) days of yore when huge opportunities presented themselves to those with a high threshold for risk may be over, there remains scope for strong returns around Asia.

In South Asia for instance, NRI investment has supercharged the Indian market. Dhaka, meanwhile, is witnessing strong economic growth. Elsewhere in the region investors are eyeing secondary markets such as Depok just outside Jarkarta as well as familiar names like Hua Hin in Thailand.

In this issue we take a look at some of these trends via market analysis of Greater Niseko, South Asia, and Australia as well as interviews and profiles of long-term players in this fascinating—and oh-so dynamic—part of the world.

Duncan Forgan Property Report duncan@propertyguru.com