Five years after the release of the Asian Century White Paper, the nation's top 200 companies are not "Asia ready" and not using local talent to tap into a rapidly growing market.

This is the finding of research by Asialink Business in partnership with PwC and the Institute of Managers and Leaders, which shows Australia's top business leaders lack the skills needed to achieve business results in Asia.

For 2018, the IMF sees Chinese growth at 6.4 per cent, up from three months ago.

The Match Fit: Shaping Asia Capable Leaders report analysed 1223 board members and 489 senior executives from the ASX 200. It also looked at the top 30 private Australian companies.

It found that 67 per cent of ASX 200 board members show no evidence of extensive experience operating in Asia, and 55 per cent demonstrate little to no knowledge of Asian markets.