Asia-Pacific countries dominate Agility emerging markets index
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SINGAPORE (ANTARA) –– Asia-Pacific nations lead all emerging market regions with China, India and Indonesia being the world’s top emerging markets in the 12th annual Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, a broad gauge of competitiveness based on logistics strength and business fundamentals.
The Index ranks 50 countries by factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, air cargo carriers and distributors. Among ASEAN countries, Vietnam climbs three spots to No. 8 overall. Indonesia (3), Malaysia (5) and Thailand (11) are strong; the Philippines rises one spot to No. 21.
China and Vietnam were virtually alone in the world in 2020, posting positive GDP growth for the year after being hit early by economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early 2020 supply disruptions in China prompted some to question whether it would experience an exodus of manufacturing by multi-nationals seeking to diversify sourcing and production. But the 1,200 logistics industry executives surveyed for Agility’s Index indicate little desire to uproot from China or other markets, preferring by a two-to-one margin to protect their supply chains by accelerating adoption of digital tools and technology (41.3%) as opposed to pursuing multi-shoring, near-shoring or reshoring strategies (21.9%).
“Asia Pacific experienced great turmoil in the beginning of 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis, but it has rebounded strongly, led by the powerful performance of China and Vietnam. The region is on track for a full recovery this year,” says Andy Vargoczky, SVP of Sales & Marketing Asia-Pacific, Agility GIL. “India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam continue to improve their supply chain infrastructure and capabilities, showing why they are leaders in domestic and international logistics.”
Across 50 countries, China, India and Indonesia rank highest in the Index for domestic logistics. China, India and Mexico are on top for international logistics with Vietnam 4th, Indonesia 5th, and Malaysia 7th. UAE, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have the best business fundamentals.
2021 Index and Survey Highlights
● The most competitive emerging markets are manufacturing powerhouses in Asia and the business-friendly economies in the Gulf region. From Asia, China (1), India (2), Indonesia (3), Malaysia (5) and Vietnam (8) made the top 10. Gulf nations United Arab Emirates (4), Saudi Arabia (6), Qatar (9) also ranked in the top 10. Mexico came in at 7th; Turkey was No. 10.
● The countries improving their domestic logistics strengths the most were Malaysia, Nigeria, Vietnam, Iran, Uruguay, Myanmar and Cambodia. The biggest strides in international logistics came from Morocco, Ukraine, Kenya, Myanmar and Paraguay.
About Agility
Agility is a global logistics company with $5.2 billion in annual revenue and 23,000+ employees in more than 100 countries. It is one of the world’s top freight forwarding and contract logistics providers, and a leader and investor in technology to enhance supply chain efficiency. Agility is a pioneer in emerging markets and one of the largest private owners and developers of warehousing and light industrial parks in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Agility’s subsidiary companies offer fuel logistics, airport services, commercial real estate and facilities management, customs digitization, and remote infrastructure services.
For more information about Agility, visit
www.agility.com
Govt encourages emergence of AI-based digital talent in Indonesia
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Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Education and Culture Ministry has encouraged the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based digital talent in Indonesia.
"Now, we can see the emergence of unicorns and decacorns in Southeast Asia. Out of the 10 unicorns and decacorns in Southeast Asia, five were established and grew in Indonesia. We need to encourage the emergence of more digital startups that are based on technology- and creative innovation," the ministry's Director General of Higher Education Nizam stated during the virtual opening of the Bangkit 2021 Program here on Monday.
Nizam affirmed that creativity and innovation based on technological competencies, especially in digital technology and AI, would create digital startups that can transform into unicorns or also decacorns.
Drawing attention to the result of some studies, Nizam affirmed that in the next decade, the use of AI-based digital technology in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, had the potential to create new economic value of US$360 billion.
"It is more than 50 percent of the potential growth in digital economy and AI-based economy in Southeast Asia," he stated.
The ministry, in cooperation with Google, organized the Bangkit 2021 Program to create a new talent pool with expertise in digital technology.
Under the program, participants will gain various digital competencies, including machine learning, cloud computing, UI, and UX.
"At the end of the program, the best participants will have the opportunity to receive training from Stanford University, through a special program prepared in 15 domestic universities," he revealed.
A total of 300 participants had attended the program in 2019.
"Now, out of the 40 thousand applicants, we have selected three thousand students to participate in the program," Nizam stated.
Asia Pacific Education Programs Lead of Google William Florance affirmed that the program was initiated to fill in the digital talent gap in technology companies.
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