The launch of the Asean Economic Community has opened up a new wave of opportunities. However, with Western banks pulling back from Asia and domestic banks all-powerful in the region's more developed markets, it may only be the Greater Mekong region that sees any discernible change to its financial landscape in the near future.
After a five-year spell of growth, Laos's economy stalled a little in 2014. However, with an improving regulatory environment, the launch of the Asean Economic Community and an improving foreign investment outlook, the country can still look forward with some optimism.
The Greater Mekong Delta sub-region of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam has been posting stellar growth figures in recent years, and looks set to continue this trend. However, each country within the region has its own social, political and economic hurdles to overcome. Stefania Palma reports.