UOB looks to ‘resilient’ Asean to continue to drive growth as Q4 profit beats estimates

UOB remains confident that Asean economies will be resilient and continue to expand, even as the outlook remains uncertain amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and tariff concerns.

While US tariff policies will likely hit the region, chief executive Wee Ee Cheong remains “hopeful” as he watches for its effects.

“We are closely monitoring developments, and so far Asean continues to be resilient,” he said at the lender’s fourth-quarter results briefing on Wednesday (Feb 19).

He noted that mega trends – such as supply chain diversification, digitalisation and the green economy – are driving investments into the region.

There has also been closer cooperation among Asean countries, such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, and integrated cross-border retail payment systems.