For decades, export manufacturing has played a critical role in powering remarkable socioeconomic development across Southeast Asia. Yet while several other Asian manufacturing economies have evolved into global leaders in advanced industries and innovation, most of Southeast Asia is still viewed primarily as a location for low-wage assembly work. The ten-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) now has a golden opportunity to move up the manufacturing value chai

China has made a rapid economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, which seems to have moved European investors from favouring offshoring to rediscovering their appetite for the country. European companies are seeking to increase their exposure in China and move their supply chains onshore in the country, according to a report from the EU Chamber of Commerce in China published in June 2021. The European Business in China Business Confidence Survey 2021 finds that 59% of Eur

Maritime transport is an essential part of international trade—approximately 80% of global merchandise is shipped via sea. Because of its importance, commercial shipping relies on strategic trade routes to move goods efficiently. These waterways are used by thousands of vessels a year—but it’s not always smooth sailing. In fact, there are certain points along these routes that pose a risk to the whole system. Here’s a look at the world’s most vulnerable maritime bottlenecks—a

Pleased to share the PWC Asia Customs & Trade February / March 2021 issue of Trade Intelligence which includes the following highlights: · Lead Article - Celebrate or Commiserate? Taking stock in the world of customs and international trade · ASEAN signs MRA impacting automotive products · Korea-Central America FTA enters into full force · China releases draft administrative measures on approved exporters · India’s digitisation initiatives · Revocation of excise duty exemptio

For over 11 years we have been at the centre of FDI, Trade & Investment in Asia: Inbound & Outbound FDI, Trade & Supply Chain Digitalisation, Anti Illicit Trade, Intelligence, Technologies & Market Access from our HQ in Malaysia. KEY SERVICES · Technical Consulting - Donors, Governments & Technologies · In Market Representation · Investment Lead Generation and Investment Outreach (By Region and By Sector) · FDI Consultancy, Marketing & Communications Strategy · Corporate Site

Only 12 per cent of the 345 US firms surveyed by the American Chamber of Commerce in China said the investment environment was deteriorating This represented the lowest proportion since the question was first introduced in the 2012 survey As China-US relations face some uncertainties, a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) said that most US companies expect a rosy year for their business growth in the world's second-largest economy, citing China'

If blockchain technology can help reduce the high fixed costs of engaging in these complex procedures, that would be a big win. Blockchain technology has the potential to break the various silos that exist between parties involved in cross-border transactions The technology can help ease access to trade finance for SMEs in particular, reduce costs, and make it easier for them to participate in international trade In 2018, when the World Trade Organization (WTO) laid out block

Dentsu Tracking joins the EU-ASEAN Business Council to support supply chain digitisation and the fight against illicit trade with its tracking and tracing expertise. Managing Director, Philippe Castella said: "Dentsu Tracking is delighted to become a member of the EU-ASEAN Business Council. As the operator of the European Union Tobacco Tracking & Tracing System, we are a trusted partner for authorities worldwide to help implement digital supply chain control solutions based o

Trade in counterfeit goods represents a longstanding, and growing, worldwide socio-economic risk that threatens effective public governance, efficient business and the well-being of consumers. At the same time, it is becoming a major source of income for organised criminal groups. It also damages economic growth by undermining both business’s revenue and their incentive to innovate. Counterfeit and pirated products tend to be shipped by virtually every means of transport. In

We are delighted to announce a new partnership between Dentsu Tracking and KW Group to lead development in the Asia Pacific region. Dentsu Tracking is committed to assist governments and the private sector in the digitisation of supply chains in the region and to support the fight against illicit trade through collaboration with ministries of finance, customs, and enforcement bodies. The company fully supports the regional development of trade digitisation as a driver for eco

System will strengthen tax and customs cooperation, enabling instantly the sharing and exchange of data and information, including corporate tax registration, corporate import and export declaration documents, sales and purchase records, as well as other related documents. The introduction of the data automation system represents Cambodia’s optimisation of new technology to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation. Under the automated exchange system, the two tax authoritie

A 2020 update of the ICC BASCAP report assessing the environment and highlighting trends in counterfeiting and other forms of illicit trade facilitated within free trade zones. What’s at risk? Free Trade Zones (FTZs) provide significant opportunities for legitimate business and play a critical role in global trade as well as economic growth for the host nation. However, our updated research has continued to confirm that insufficient oversight remains a major enabler of illic

Insight Report by World Economic Forum on how TradeTech is fundamental to harnessing the innovations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to support the public good. Lead Authors: Ziyang Fan & Jimena Sotelo Mapping TradeTech: Trade in the Fourth Industrial Revolution was developed in cooperation with more than 50 global industry experts, policy-makers, academics and civil society leaders. It provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of emerging technologies on the global

Foreign direct investment has been hard hit in 2020, with levels plummeting by 40–50%. Investment Monitor has identified five key trends to keep an eye on in 2021. 1. FDI will continue to struggle in 2021 The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stated in June 2020 that it is expecting FDI volumes to decline by 5–10% in 2021. Investment will be highly dependent on Covid-19 recovery. The news in December 2020 of new nodes of the virus has dampened hopes that progres

Congratulations to the team at UNESCAP for the recent online edition of the Asia Pacific Business Forum 2020. For those of you who may have missed the program we are pleased to share the video link. For the full online recordings visit: https://apbf.unescap.org/about #trade #fdi #business #asia #valuechain #supplychain #sme #asean #asiapacific #globaltrade

By Pedro Anaya, Natalie Blyth, Ravi Hanspal, Michael McAdoo, Sukand Ramachandran, Krishnan Ramadurai, and Sophie Schram For the past few years, in many parts of the world, a protectionist mindset has been challenging the continuing trend of globalization. This mindset, if it spreads further, could endanger the many benefits of more open international trade—which include allowing multinational supply chains to become more flexible and versatile, giving consumers throughout the

Global value chains (GVCs) have powered economic transformation by enabling developing countries to specialize and catalyze growth and job creation. But COVID-19 poses unprecedented challenges to global value chains by disrupting both the supply of goods and also the demand for them. How has the coronavirus pandemic affected firms in developing countries that are engaged in global value chains? How are firms adapting to the new normal? What is the role for policy? “This perfe

When the pandemic dies down, trade will become the biggest threat to global supply chains. This will both drive up prices and make resiliency harder to achieve. Accelerated digitalization and uptake of new technologies can help firms find a balance between supply chain resiliency and efficiency. Seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses of all kinds are devising ways to protect themselves from future shocks by making their supply chains more resilient. In doing so,

Organizations across all industries—from automotive, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals to transportation, electronics, and oil and gas—have felt the disruptive effect of the coronavirus pandemic. Turning the global supply chain on its head, COVID-19’s impact has cut across multiple facets of international trade, including manufacturing, import/export, logistics, compliance, and supply chain management. This disruption has been a wake-up call for organizations worldwide, pro

Former Maersk executive Thomas Bagge has been chief executive and statutory director of Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) for nearly 18 months, in an attempt to pull the shipping industry into the 21st century. It is, he says, not an easy quest, but the first fruits of his labour are starting to show. “The container shipping industry is currently not a digitally advanced industry. We are, however, seeing a shift as many companies are thinking about how to change t