SINGAPORE: Manufacturing companies in Southeast Asia can benefit from the seamless flow of their goods and services across the region when the logistics industry becomes fully integrated, experts said.

Logistics connectivity within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will help spur the manufacturing industry in the region and make ASEAN a very competitive region.

According to a study done by APEC Policy Support Unit, a one per cent increase in logistics performance and competitiveness could lead to an immediate three per cent improvement in exports.

Dave Tan, Executive Director, Regional Office, Conference of Asia Pacific Express Carriers, said: “When it comes to competing with your neighbouring countries, you need the speed and reliability so that you have more time to focus on your core business of improving your designs and other aspects of the manufacturing process.”

Experts said each member country of ASEAN could be good at doing different things such as providing skilled labour or strong infrastructure.

As such, economies of scale can be achieved by having different countries participate in different parts of the value chain.

Dr Robert Yap, Chairman, ASEAN-Business Advisory Council Singapore, said: “If you have a connected supply chain landscape, then countries can specialise in what they are doing best. And through the connectivity program, this will allow ASEAN to be a very competitive region, and as a region to move forward.”

Experts said that after China, ASEAN looks like a strong next source of manufacturing competitiveness, with Vietnam and Indonesia as strong contenders.

The ASEAN Economic Community or AEC Blueprint was signed in November 2007 to transform ASEAN into a single market and production base by 2015.

The aim is to achieve free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour and freer flow of capital within ASEAN.

Source: channelnewsasia

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Beijing expatriates have been warned not to take risks by flying as on-board couriers to get free traveling opportunities and to collect frequent flyer miles.

Beijing airport customs have warned expats of the risks of taking parcels with unknown contents on board airplanes, and authorities warned Sunday that more than 50 grams of an illegal substance can qualify the carrier for a death sentence, regardless of the traveler’s knowledge of the package’s contents.

“If any illegal substance is found in a bag under your care, you will be charged”, a worker with the Beijing Capital Airport customs department told the “Global Times”.

Source: Global Times

Our lead: always care about what you are taking with you! Do never take unopend packages or goods that are not absolutely secure.

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