On 12 August 2026, Manning & Co. and Gemstar brought together business leaders for a roundtable on one of the biggest opportunities facing Australian businesses today: how to expand successfully into Asia.
The session, ‘Expanding into Asia: Opportunities, Challenges & What It Takes to Succeed’, explored the realities of entering and growing across Southeast Asia, from identifying the right market and navigating cultural differences to building the relationships and local presence needed for long-term success.
Why Southeast Asia?
The discussion highlighted the significant opportunities across the region, including a growing consumer market, strong infrastructure, access to local talent, and increasing investment in technology and innovation.
Singapore was a particular focus, with its business-friendly environment, sophisticated infrastructure and regional connectivity positioning it as a potential gateway into wider Southeast Asian markets. But the opportunity isn’t without its challenges.
What does successful market entry look like?
A key theme throughout the session was the importance of localisation in the region.
Businesses looking to expand cannot simply replicate their Australian strategy in a new market. Understanding local customers, cultures, regulations and business practices is essential, and local talent and partnerships can provide the insight needed to navigate them effectively.
The conversation also explored the importance of relationships. In many Asian markets, trust and long-term connections are central to doing business. Taking the time to understand cultural expectations, communicate respectfully, and build genuine relationships can give businesses a significant advantage in Singapore and Asia.
Preparing for the realities of expansion
The roundtable also addressed practical challenges businesses need to consider, including operating costs, talent shortages, compliance requirements, and managing teams across multiple markets.
The takeaway was clear: international expansion requires patience and commitment.
Businesses need to prepare for a longer market-entry journey, invest in understanding the market, and build a strategy that looks beyond the initial launch.
Is your business ready?
The session closed by outlining what businesses should consider before moving from domestic operations and export experience to operational capacity and international sales capability. A structured market-entry approach can help businesses assess potential markets, choose the right entry model, and build a targeted growth plan.
For businesses considering their next stage of international growth, the opportunity across Southeast Asia is significant. But success starts with understanding where you fit, how you need to adapt and what it will take to build a lasting presence.
Interested in exploring your Asia-readiness? Manning & Co. and Gemstar can help businesses assess their readiness and develop a strategic approach to entering and growing across Southeast Asia.
