Southeast Asia is booming with new demand for gold. That trend is fueling a new wave of dynamic new business investments across the entire region. Countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines are all seeing record demand for bullion. Both local and international investors are hungry to profit from the precious metal’s enduring worth. That interest has generated a ton of exciting new initiatives. Collectively, these initiatives aim to create greater transparency in gold production and supply chains in these countries.
This increase in demand for gold across Southeast Asia can be credited to a multitude of reasons such as economic instability and inflation. Expectations by many of becoming more productive. A lot of people consider gold a safe haven asset during uncertain times, driving up demand and thus buying activity. In Indonesia, the state-owned company PT Antam has announced a jump in sales. This increase comes as part of the immense wave that’s taken place in the rest of the region.
One of the best illustrations of this story is a gold ingot, available exclusively to FT.com registered users. This dramatic photograph taken in 2025 shows the bustling gold market in Southeast Asia. It’s an example of how corporate leaders – soon to include Antam’s recently appointed CEO – are proactively positioning themselves to capitalize on the surging demand for gold. Its image is emblematic of the region’s dreams to enhance its place in the global gold market.
In reaction to this new ground swell of interest, we see all kinds of business initiatives sprouting up. Mining, production, and fabrication companies are building new mines and refining plants to increase domestic production capacity. On another front, partnerships with international entities are being developed to strengthen supply chains and distribution networks. These initiatives are a compelling example of how to focus on local demand. In addition, they make Southeast Asian countries likely players to watch in the global gold market.
In addition to this, local governments are trying to figure out ways that they can use policies to incentivize investments in the gold sector. Authorities say they want to lure more private enterprise into the emerging mining frontier. They hope to do so by easing regulatory burdens and providing financial incentives to mining companies. This smart, common-sense move would create new jobs and economic investment in mining-heavy states around the country.