Skip to main content

Spire addresses cross-border e-commerce challenges across SEA at GSCC’s webinar series


Spire was honored to participate in the second webinar series organized by Global Supply Chain Council (GSCC) as a guest speaker. The webinar was held on 20 December, 2017 in Hong Kong. Jeffrey Bahar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Spire Research and Consulting group shared his insights on cross-border e-commerce challenges and trends for payment and logistics transactions across Southeast Asia.

In his presentation, Bahar shared his insights on potential of cross-border e-commerce transactions in South-East Asia, with a focus on challenges involving payment and logistics issues.

Bahar mentioned that the e-commerce market represents potential for growth due to the rise in internet users across ASEAN-6 countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines) as of 2016. Product purchases (in millions) were highest for Vietnam (33.26), the Philippines (30.34) and Indonesia (24.74) with clothing, accessories as well as footwear amongst the top 5 products purchased.

Cross-border e-commerce market transactions in ASEAN-6 countries account for a projected 37.58% growth (from 2018-2019); higher than the forecasted global average. Despite projected growth, challenges remain. These include customs clearance issues, expensive international shipping, poor transport infrastructure, warehouse readiness, the lack of a single payment system, insufficient clarity on returns policies, delivery process or payment procedure, to name a few.

Nonetheless, some methods can be adopted to overcome these hurdles such as a single integrated platform to simplify international transactions, reduce shipping cost by increasing number of local transhipment warehouses as well as greater focus on enhancing the last mile delivery industry.

Bahar’s presentation deck on “Addressing challenges of cross-border e-commerce logistic and payment in ASEAN-6” can be found here.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

China’s New Silk Road Initiative – An integrated trade strategy for the 21st century?

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), announced in 2013, is not only China’s most ambitious global infrastructure project but also one of the largest ever attempted anywhere. It aims to develop a free trade zone and improve global connectivity across the Eurasian landmass. With an estimated investment of USD4 to 8 trillion and affecting over 70 countries, can China successfully connect all these economies together? What is China’s BRI? The BRI mega infrastructure project aims to cement links with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Russia and the Baltic Region. It aspires to establish a free trade zone through infrastructure developments among countries and continents. The idea of the BRI was inspired by the ancient trade routes used by Chinese traders to boost connectivity with not only neighboring nations but with distant countries as well, such as the Roman Empire. Pan-Eurasian trade routes were opened in 130 B.C. during China’s Han Dynasty, ostensibly for international tr...

The Philippines - Asia's next economic powerhouse

The Philippines is emerging as one of Asia’s most dynamic economies, with a forecasted growth rate of 6.9 per cent in 2018 driven by investment and private consumption. The economy recorded growth of over 6 per cent in 2017, for the sixth straight year, thanks to buoyant government spending, exports and a recovery in the agricultural sector. Will this Southeast Asian tiger be able to maintain its momentum? A growing economy While advanced economies like the United States, Europe and Japan are growing at slow rate, a number of emerging economies like the Philippines continue to surge ahead. With annual growth expected to reach 6.9 per cent by 2018, the Philippines now ranks as the 10th fastest growing economy globally. Owing to strong domestic demand and government projects, the country’s economy is on the rise. The government’s expansionary fiscal policy has aided capital formation and credit growth, whereas low inflation has strengthened private consumption. Path...

Ethiopia’s Strategic Cooperation with China

Over the past decade, Ethiopia has experienced an average economic growth rate of about 10%. Ethiopia is expected to grow by 8.5% in 2018, topping China’s projected growth of 6.5%. In recent times, the Ethiopian government has abandoned its 1970’s Communist ideology and put in place some basic reforms. They went on to build sturdy infrastructure and launch a successful industrial policy, calling to mind China’s own development pathway. The Chinese have contributed significantly to the building of Ethiopian infrastructure, with rail systems, buildings and dams. Will Ethiopia succeed in copying China’s development model? Read here more:  https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/ethiopias-strategic-cooperation-with-china/

Spire explains market opportunities in Australia for Malaysian franchisors

Spire Research and Consulting was invited to speak at a Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) symposium held jointly with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs on 7 August. Deric Yeo was the event moderator and Aqilah Binti Zamri (Analyst at Spire Malaysia), Terry Lim from Global Art, MATRADE’s Pn. Anisah Ali and Pn. Noor Asiah Mahmud were panel speakers. The speakers shared their insights on market opportunities and challenges in Australia facing Malaysian franchisors. The speakers shared insights on market opportunities in Australia for Malaysian franchisors. Australians are increasingly dining out. As much as two thirds of the population (over 14 years of age) dine out at least once a month. To put this into perspective, the average personal consumption stands at around USD11 for fast food, USD7-10 for casual dining and USD 5-10 for snacks or desserts. 1,089 business franchisors ply their trade in Australia, of which 10% are foreign brands and 90% lo...

China’s landfills: Can waste be turned into energy?

260 million used tires are dumped in landfills all over the world. These tires contaminate groundwater and create clouds of black grime when they ignite, releasing toxins into the atmosphere. IFW Recycling Corporation based in the U.S. sees these old tires as a clean, green and efficient source of fuel. The tires are gassed to result in usable diesel fuel. This does not cause pollution and creates by-products for further use such as distilled water, carbon black and ash. With China emerging as one of the world’s biggest polluters, its government is seeking alternatives to coal-fired electricity generation. This could be one of them. https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/chinas-landfills-can-waste-be-turned-into-energy/