<article>This interview is part of a co-branded series with Collective Works. Real Capital Analytics is located at Collective Works, Capital Tower, Singapore.</article>

This interview is part of a co-branded series with Collective Works. Real Capital Analytics is located at Collective Works, Capital Tower, Singapore.
Governments and regulators have a pivotal role to play in shaping the real estate investment market in Southeast Asia, according to David Green-Morgan, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Real Capital Analytics.
&#8220;They (governments/ regulators) probably have the single biggest role – better and easier to understand regulations are key to quick and efficient decision making in the property investment world,&#8221; he said.
The APAC chief of Real Capital Analytics, which tracks the deals, players and the trends that drive commercial real estate investment markets, sees blockchain as an overrated area in the realty market so far.
&#8220;The obsession with new technology is maybe blinding some people to using existing technology that works very well,&#8221; he added.
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Edited excerpts:
What opportunity does Southeast Asia present for RCA?
Southeast Asia is a key market for us in the region as it contains some of the largest property markets in Asia Pacific, namely Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Together with the economies of Vietnam and Myanmar, these are locations that investors are increasingly taking notice of.
Singapore will always be our main office in Asia Pacific as it provides us with the flexibility and skill base to expand as we need to. It also provides the perfect hub for accessing the other Southeast Asian economies.
What trend or upcoming technology are you most excited about in Southeast Asia?
The move towards greater transparency and a more harmonised flow of services across borders will benefit us greatly.
What challenges do you think could hinder the potential of this region?
The politics and government policies are always changing and that probably proves to be the greatest challenge.
What role could investors play in tapping the potential and overcoming these challenges?
Investors have the ability to convince governments to make it easier to invest in their countries and economies. Investors tend to operate with a herd mentality and so once one group has invested, you tend to see others coming in as well.
What role could governments or regulators play in speeding up growth in SE Asia?
They probably have the single biggest role – better and easier to understand regulations are key to quick and efficient decision making in the property investment world.
Southeast Asia has a long way to go to become an innovation hotbed. Your thoughts?
I wouldn’t say a long way. We see lots of new companies coming out with good technology and governments across the region are increasingly providing financial support for this sector. With China pumping so much money into technology it is dragging the rest of the region along.
What is the most overrated/ hyped area or sector in this region? 
In the property world, it is probably blockchain. Lots of discussion but very little practical application so far.
What is the most underrated opportunity?
Maximising the use of technology that is already out there and widespread. The obsession with new technology is maybe blinding some people to using existing technology that works very well.

Governments & regulators have pivotal role to play in shaping real estate investment market in SE Asia, according to David Green-Morgan of Real Capital Analytics.

Improving regulation offers best opportunities in SE Asia: Real Capital Analytics' APAC MD

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Improving regulation offers best opportunities in SE Asia: Real Capital Analytics' APAC MD

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