Article Global Business Review 19(6) 1–13 © 2018 IMI SAGE Publications sagepub.in/home.nav DOI: 10.1177/0972150918794568 http://journals.sagepub.com/home/gbr 1 UBD School of Business and Economics, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam. Corresponding author: Gamini Premaratne, UBD School of Business and Economics, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam. E-mail: gamini.premaratne@ubd.edu.bn Regional Integration and Economic Growth in Southeast Asia Angkeara Bong 1 Gamini Premaratne 1 Abstract Southeast Asia has experienced an economic growth since the 1980s. This growth triggered by reforms to increasing global and regional integration has been remarkable. This article aims to examine whether regional integration promotes economic growth in Southeast Asia. It further investigates whether the economic and social factors affect economic growth. The panel data were collected over 43 years (1970–2013) in Southeast Asia. We employ a cross-country growth model using a generalized method of moments in the dynamic panel framework to empirically examine the impact of regional integration on economic growth. Our results found that regional integration had a significant effect on economic growth. More specifically, our empirical results suggest that, in order to enhance regional integration and economic growth in the region, public institutions should work towards eliminating corruption and stabilizing macroeconomics and political stability while promoting international trade among member countries. This article sheds light on the key determinants of economic growth and policy formulations to achieve higher economic growth in Southeast Asia. Keywords Regional integration, economic growth, international trade, Southeast Asia Introduction Southeast Asia has experienced an economic growth since the 1980s. The average growth of gross domestic product (GDP) was 5.5 per cent in Southeast Asia over 1970–2013. The growth was triggered by reforms increasing global and regional integration through trade, financial flows, foreign direct investment (FDI) and other forms of economic and social exchanges (Asian Development Bank [ADB], 2008). However, the average growth fell to −2 per cent during the Asian financial crisis and also 2 per cent during the global financial crisis (Figure 1). Regional integration appealed as a concept that helped promote growth, well-being and economic development among members (Peters-Berries, 2010). It may also foster a variety of non-economic objectives, including promoting regional security and political coordination among members (Carbaugh, 2004). Its success may result in enhancing macroeconomic