Spire Client Entertainment Night December 2019

Spire Singapore hosted its third client entertainment event of the year. Business associates, partners and clients joined the Spire team for the dinner reception followed by the movie screening of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Episode IX)”- the much awaited last movie in the Star Wars saga.

The final installment in the Star Wars saga revolved around the epic battle between Jedi and Sith. The movie featured most of the key characters from the earlier Episodes 4 to 6.

The highly awaited Star Wars final chapter, delectable food and even better company made for a great evening.

Comments

India ranks among the world’s top compact SUV markets!

India overtook Japan in 2017 as the third largest manufacturer of compact SUVs. Big players such as Renault, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ford Motor, Hyundai Motor, Maruti Suzuki and other SUV manufacturers sold 457,698 compact SUVs in 2017 – over four times the unit sales in 2015, at 107,634. While 2016 saw shrinking sales for this vehicle category in China and the USA, sales in India grew nearly 50% from 307,365 units in 2016. Will India overtake China as the world’s largest compact SUV market? For more information, click here.

Asian consumers embrace local brands

With growing regional integration and rising incomes, more Asian consumers are choosing Asian brands against foreign brands. Xiaomi, an Asian brand, outsold Apple in China in 2014 for the first time. Brunei based brand – Brunei Halal – recently opened stores in Malaysia targeting its Muslim population. The Indian government’s knowledge website initiative – known as Vikaspedia and offering content in 22 different local languages – is gaining ground. Taobao, Air Asia, Alipay, Huawei, Siam Cement, San Miguel, Tiger Beer and Indofood are other Asian brands that are on the march. They all hail from countries other than Japan, Korea and Taiwan, the traditional sources of Asian brands. Will more Asian brands take the leap to become global brands as the top Japanese and Korean brands have become? https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/asian-consumers-embrace-local-brands/

Egyptian-Israeli gas deal to boost bilateral trade

A USD15 billion deal has been announced between Israel and Egypt to export natural gas. Israel’s Delek Group has signed an agreement to supply 64 billion cubic meters of gas in a span of ten years to Egypt’s Dolphinus Holdings. The deal is considered a milestone ever since the 1979 peace accord, bringing Egypt a step closer to becoming a regional energy hub. However, the transportation of natural gas from Israel to Egypt is a challenge given the security risks. Will the Egypt-Israel gas export deal usher in a relationship of bonhomie and economic co-operation? For more information, click here .

Japan and EU revive trade deal

The Japan and the European Union (EU) have formally agreed on the outlines of a free trade deal. The two crucial sectors affected will be the automotive sector for the EU and the agri-food sector for Japan. The deal, which has already been agreed on in-principle, will take about 15 years to take effect. This Japan-EU trade deal is being touted as a strategic partnership that will boost co-operation not only in trade but also in other areas of policy such as climate change reforms. What will be the global implications of the Japan-EU trade deal? https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/japan-and-eu-revive-trade-deal/

Google’s Project Loon balloons to provide internet in India

Can a network of floating balloons offer internet services? It seems to be a scene right from a science-fiction movie. Tech giant Google has launched a network of balloons that travel 20 km above ground level to deliver signals using LTE technology making the internet available at 4G speeds even in rural areas. First launched in New Zealand in 2015, the balloons later made their way to Brazil, Australia and recently Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The Indian government is still apprehensive about this technology, in the face of claims that it could lead to technical glitches due to interference with cellular transmission. Nonetheless, the government is yet to come back with a conclusive response. Will balloons bring the internet to every square inch of the world’s second most populous country? https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/googles-project-loon-balloons-to-provide-internet-in-india/

The Knowledge to Decide

Search This Blog