Digital transformation has been at the forefront of the agenda even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has sped up the adoption of digital technology and many of these changes could be here for a long haul. This was stated by ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) Chair and Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Abdul Rahman during the launch of Brunei’s legacy project ‘Harnessing Impact with Resilient Employability Digitally’ (HIRED) at the ASEAN Business and Investment Roundtables: Skills for a Digital Age held virtually yesterday.

The roundtables were part of a series of events under the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021.

Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty added, “Technology rapidly changes the landscape of work in the region, leaving us with no choice but to upskill and reskill to adapt and accommodate the changes in the industry skill requirements. This is what the ASEAN-backed legacy project is all about.”

HIRED serves to address unemployment issues and on how ASEAN lags behind in upskilling and reskilling. This is even more critical during the pandemic as we hope to achieve UNN sustainable development goals for quality education, decent work, and economic growth.

The event saw a panel discussion on ‘Future of Work’ – what does the future of work in Southeast Asia look like? How is innovation and business transformation changing how employees operate? What are some of the permanent changes in the workplace caused by COVID-19?

Date of Release: 30 September 2021

Read the full article here.

With the spirit of togetherness, ASEAN continues to rise to challenges of achieving sustainability and resilience among the people while preparing the region for the future.

This supports the objectives behind Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN Chairmanship, themed ‘We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper’, emphasising the region’s relevancy to its people where no one is left behind.

The importance of ASEAN’s solidarity in addressing the challenges brought by COVID-19 in the region was highlighted by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin in his opening remark as the Chair of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council 2021 during the 26th ASCC Council Meeting held via video conference recently.

The minister shared the progress and efforts made by ASCC throughout the year.

He highlighted that the whole-of-ASEAN approach in realising regional commitment to strengthen coordinated responses can be seen through ASCC’s multi-dimensional approach in addressing gaps and challenges thus ensuring the well-being and livelihood of the people.

ASCC council ministers, ASEAN Secretary General Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, delegations and representatives were also present at the meeting.

The minister and ASCC council ministers commended the holistic actions by the ASCC sectoral bodies to address the gaps and challenges affecting the region particularly in areas such as public health, social protection, fake news and misinformation, environmental degradation and the climate crisis.

The ministers stated that the recommendations in the Mid-Term Review of the ASCC Blueprint 2025 had helped advance ASEAN community building efforts through incorporating and aligning the blueprint’s implementation into the post-2020 ASCC Sectoral Work Plans and the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and its Implementation Plan (ACRF).

Recognising the importance of preparing for the future, the meeting reaffirmed support and commitment on the elevation of the role of youth in realising sustainable development, ensuring that they are prepared and future-ready in responding to the complex global challenges, through initiatives such as the ASEAN Youth Academy Programme, ASEAN Youth on Climate Change and ASEAN Walk 2022.

Date of Release: 1 October 2021

Read the full article here.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei’s bilateral trade with China reached $2.5 billion (US$1.83 billion) between January and August of this year, a 43 percent increase year-on-year.

Speaking at a virtual reception to mark 30 years of diplomatic relations with Brunei, ambassador Yu Hong said the economic relationship between the two countries had grown significantly in recent years, with China becoming the largest source of foreign direct investment through the Hengyi petrochemical plant.

“Hengyi Industries has extended Brunei’s downstream oil and gas industrial chain and become a new engine boosting local employment and spurring economic growth,” she said.

Hengyi has exported US$4.08 billion worth of petrochemical products since its oil refinery started operations in November 2019.

Date of Release: 1 October 2021

Read the full article here.

The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillar – through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) as the National Secretariat and Chair of ASCC 2021, in collaboration with Brunei Youth Council and the ASEAN Secretariat – on Monday organised the inaugural Innovation Platform Dialogue via video conference, which forms one of Brunei Darussalam’s key deliverables, during its tenure as ASEAN Chair for 2021.

The dialogue was conceptualised to be an annual event, with the main intention being for the ASCC Pillar to deepen and strengthen its institutional engagements with partners and stakeholders on strategic issues of mutual attention.

This year, under Brunei Darussalam’s chairmanship with the theme ‘Youth Employment and Digitalisation in ASCC Perspectives’, corresponding to Brunei’s ASEAN 2021 theme, ‘We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper’, the dialogue took into account the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on people’s livelihood, and the opportunities created in responding to technological advancements under the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).

Hajah Nor Ashikin cited findings from the International Labour Organization (ILO) indicating the pandemic has impacted youth employment more than adult employment. With the ASEAN region comprising a 40-per-cent youth population, broad policy support is needed to ensure ASEAN is able to meet the needs and aspirations of its young people, as they will define ASEAN’s common future.

Date of Release: 29 September 2021

Read the full article here. 

In light of the recent global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital technologies has now shifted tremendously, and the demand for digital skills has surged, more so in some sectors.

This was said by Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman during his opening keynote address at the ASEAN Business and Investment Roundtables: Skills for a Digital Age hosted by the Brunei ASEAN Business Advisory Council (BAC) via online yesterday.

The minister said, “However, this dramatic increase in innovation and adoption of digital solutions should not take place at the expense of ethical considerations. With the ongoing moral and public debates evolving the use of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics in our daily activities, matters such as liability, accountability, privacy, property and autonomy among which convey adverse insinuations, such as on automatic data collection, algorithms used for predicting and profiling as well as technologies used for surveillance, has become a major public concern.

“Therefore, a holistic approach should be taken to ensure the right ethical and moral principles are instilled in the students at all levels of education.

“In a time when we are less clear on specific skills tomorrow’s workers will require digital ethics, and values has become our guiding principle to develop and implement digital technologies in a responsible manner. In the context of the Sultanate, these values and principles are embedded in the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy,” said Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah.

Date of Release: 30 September 2021

Read the full article here.

As the current Chair of ASEAN, Brunei Darussalam is able to handle such chairmanship, Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof said during an online press conference yesterday.

“What is good about ASEAN is that we are a family, we do things together, and we talk together whether it is with regards of one member state or the region. That is what ASEAN is about. It is the unique behaviour of ASEAN working by consensus. People say reaching consensus is difficult, but it depends on who you talk to,” he said.

“The uniqueness remains what it is today and will make it in the future. There will be always be issues in ASEAN, but it is the role of the ASEAN Chair to sail the ASEAN ship through turbulent waters.”

On confirmation of ASEAN leaders attendance for the ASEAN Summit and related meetings on October 26-28, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan said, “We received verbal confirmation that they have no problems with the dates. We will prepare letters for replies.

“But with new development after the foreign ministers’ meeting that ended on October 4, ASEAN must sit together and discuss the best move forward,” he added.

On the term as the Special Envoy to Myanmar, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan said it clearly states that as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair and. will depend on who will chair ASEAN in any particular year. “On that basis, my term would end on December 31.”

Date of Release: 7 October 2021

Read the full article here. 

Governments need to step up investment in hydrogen production and storage chains to help cut net emissions to zero, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Monday.

States and private investors had so far only come up with about a quarter of the $1,200 billion needed by 2030 to develop and deploy hydrogen and make it part of global net zero strategies, the Paris-based organization said.

Efforts should be directed on getting hydrogen into more sectors and developing technologies to make it cheaper to produce with renewables, its report added.

Hydrogen is light, storable and energy-dense, and produces no direct emissions of pollutants or greenhouse gases when used as a fuel. But the cost of production, and worries over how it is produced, have been a barrier to expanded use. Hydrogen produced with renewable supplies can cost between two to seven times as much as producing it from natural gas without carbon capture, the report said. New technologies and economies of scale could help close the gap, it added.

"Almost all hydrogen produced today comes from fossil fuels without carbon capture, resulting in close to 900 million tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the combined CO2 emissions of the United Kingdom and Indonesia," the IEA said.

Global capacity of electrolyzers, which produce hydrogen from water using electricity, doubled over the past five years, and nearly 400 projects are under development or in early stages of development, the report said.

These projects should put hydrogen supply at 8 million tons per year by 2030, up from the less than 50,000 tons in 2021. But that was still a tenth of what was needed by 2030 to reach net zero emissions by 2050, they said.

Nearly all hydrogen consumption was in the refining and industrial sectors in 2020, the report said. But it could also play a major role in chemicals, steel, transport and aviation - all sectors where emission reduction is currently a challenge.

Government policies currently focus on production but need to incorporate consumption in new sectors to foster the construction of the necessary storage, transmission and charging facilities, the report said.

Currently 17 governments have hydrogen strategies, and more than 20 others have announced they are developing plans, up from three countries in 2019, the agency said.

Source: The Jakarta Post

Author: Forrest Crellin

Original published date: 04 October, 2021

Read full article here.

Indonesia has reinstated a temporary luxury-tax break on sales of smaller cars as the concession helped boost demand for vehicles, the Finance Ministry said on Friday. The tax break, which had expired in August, will now be available till the end of the year, the ministry said in a statement. Japanese brands such as Toyota, Daihatsu, Mitsubishi and Honda dominate Indonesia's domestic car market, Southeast Asia's biggest. Indonesia's biggest listed car distributors are Astra International and Indomobil Sukses Internasional. Sedans and two-wheel drive cars with engine capacity under 1,500 cc will now be exempt from luxury tax until the year-end. The ministry did not provide an estimate of revenue loss from the tax break. The government introduced the tax break in March to incentivize car purchases, which had been hit by an economic slowdown due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. It was initially due to expire in June, but was extended until end-August. Auto production rose 49 percent in January-July on a yearly basis, not just for domestic market but also exports, the ministry said. Monthly domestic sales have also recovered, with more than 83,000 units sold in August, close to pre-pandemic levels.

Author : Gayatri Suroyo

Original Publish Date : September 17th 2021

Source : Jakarta Post

Read full article here.

Businesses worldwide are pushing for more sustainable practices. As the threat of climate change has worsened, it’s become clear that industry as a whole must move away from carbon emission-generating practices. This movement has significant implications for supply chains. Today’s supply chains are far from carbon-free. An organization’s supply chain often accounts for 90% of its greenhouse gas emissions when taking overall climate impacts into account. From diesel-powered trucks to natural gas-generated warehouse power, these networks rely heavily on fossil fuels. It can be hard to imagine supply chains without these resources, but it’s not impossible. Here’s what a post-carbon supply chain would look like and how companies could achieve it.

Electric Vehicles

The most obvious difference between today’s supply chains and a post-carbon one is their vehicles. Transportation accounts for 21% of total global emissions, and freight constitutes a considerable portion of that figure. Almost all trucks that move freight today use fossil fuels, but post-carbon transport will be electric. Electric trucks will likely be the first type of carbon-free vehicles to appear in supply chains. General Motors has already established goals to produce zero emissions, and electric road vehicles are increasingly common. Post-carbon supply chains will bring electrification to more than just trucks, though. Ships and airplanes will also be electric. Their longer routes will require more efficiency, so they may rely on technologies like fuel cells or solar power instead of batteries. Regardless of the specifics, every vehicle in the post-carbon supply chain will be electric.

Green Power Sources

While vehicles may be the easiest culprit to pinpoint, they’re not the only source of emissions. Supply chains consume a considerable amount of energy, most of which comes from fossil fuels. In fact, if 125 multinational companies increased their supply chain renewable energy by 20%, they would save more than 1 billion metric tons of carbon emissions. In a post-carbon supply chain, all energy would come from renewable sources. That would likely mean using various technologies, as sustainable power has varying effectiveness in different applications. Solar, wind and hydroelectric power would all play a part in the transition to zero-carbon operations. A truly zero-carbon supply chain would also use renewables to generate power for its electric vehicles. Creating batteries or hydrogen for fuel cells requires energy, and this too must be green for supply chains to be truly sustainable.

Sustainable Sourcing

A more easily overlooked aspect of post-carbon supply chains is how sustainability plays into their corporate partnerships. A truly zero-emissions supply chain must ensure its suppliers are also carbon-free. Otherwise, it would still be investing in emissions-producing activity, albeit indirectly. Industrial sectors like manufacturing are responsible for 29.6% of total emissions in the U.S. If a supply chain moved products from a company with such a significant carbon footprint, one could hardly consider it carbon-free. In a truly post-carbon supply chain, all connected sources are also zero emissions. Ensuring these connections are sustainable requires a considerable amount of transparency. As such, post-carbon supply chains will require regular audits from involved parties to verify their sustainability. They’ll likely also employ technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) trackers and blockchains to keep operations transparent.

How Can the World Move Toward Post-Carbon Supply Chains?

These factors may seem like lofty goals right now. Today’s supply chains have a long way to go before they can say they’re truly carbon-free. Thankfully, however far-off these sustainability targets may seem, they are achievable. Companies can start acting now to move toward them. Recognizing the business incentives for removing carbon from the supply chain can help encourage further action. According to one study, 84% of global consumers are more likely to make purchase decisions based on a company’s sustainability practices. Similarly, 61% are willing to wait for longer delivery times if they know it’s better for the environment. Interest in sustainable supply chains will grow when more organizations realize these benefits. As this trend gains momentum, here are a few ways supply chains can start moving toward zero-carbon goals.

Improve Visibility

The first step in moving away from carbon is improving supply chain visibility. Companies can’t effectively become more sustainable if they don’t know the extent of their current unsustainable practices. Audits and studies can reveal where carbon emissions come from in a supply chain, guiding further action. Organizations must also ensure their emissions monitoring is an ongoing process. Without continuous checking, they won’t be able to tell how different actions impact their overall goals. Periodic audits and implementing IoT sensors to track carbon emissions can ensure ongoing transparency. In that spirit, supply chains should start improving visibility between partners. Asking for suppliers to offer proof of their sustainability initiatives will encourage broader action and help reduce emissions on all fronts.

Invest in Green Technologies

Some aspects of the post-carbon supply chain, like electric vehicles, aren’t applicable right now. While options may be limited today, more investment in these technologies will speed their development, making sustainability more viable quicker. Many companies have already begun to invest in green technologies. Maserati has invested more than $867 million to refurbish its production hub to produce electric cars. As more money flows into these innovations, efficient, low-cost, carbon-free technologies will become available sooner, aiding a faster transition. Green energy is a technology, not a resource. As such, it will only become cheaper and more efficient over time. Consequently, while some of these technologies may not be viable business choices now, they will be eventually, especially with more funding.

Collaborate

Since supply chains are so interconnected, it will take increased collaboration to push them away from carbon. Decarbonization is also a considerable undertaking. The transition will be far easier and faster if companies can work together toward a common goal. Collaboration can mitigate the financial burden of decarbonization. Similarly, it can help some companies overcome any qualms they may have about the risks of going green. Climate action experts highlight that shared responsibility translates into reduced risk, at least in people’s perception of it. In addition to collaborating with other related companies, supply chains can partner with environmental organizations. They can help show where improvements can be made, guiding more effective action.

Supply Chains Must Become More Sustainable

Supply chains are essential to virtually every industry, and they often produce some of the most emissions. As such, these operations must move away from fossil fuels as companies seek to become more sustainable.

The post-carbon supply chain seems like a lofty goal, but it’s attainable. When organizations realize these things are possible, they can start moving toward a better future.

Source: Global Trade Magazine

Less than six months after introducing a sub-decree to push non-resident e-commerce firms to register for value-added tax (VAT) with the Cambodian tax authority, the government has upped the ante.

The two new e-commerce policies – a November 30, 2021 deadline for the companies to register with the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and a reverse charge VAT mechanism relating to business-to-business (B2B) transactions – signal the government’s seriousness in tightening tax measures.

For both policies, the penalties for failing to comply are severe, involving the termination of service and fines, demonstrating the authority’s frustration in trying to get the companies to obey the law.

A statement issued by MoC last week revealed how foreign companies or branches, sole proprietors and businesses that operate e-commerce platforms in Cambodia had yet to apply for e-commerce permit or license despite numerous workshops and training.

Going by the terse tone of the statement, these platforms are likely to see an end to their operation starting December 1 this year, said Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications secretary of state So Visothy.

“The firms who provide e-commerce business activities in Cambodia have to comply with the law and regulation. If they fail to comply or do not pay tax to the government, it is illegal for them to operate in Cambodia.

“[They] are subject to legal action by MoC or Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). We have the right to cooperate with the authorities to close down the illegal business operation,” he told The Post via a social messaging app.

The growth of the e-commerce market has been exponential reflecting the Kingdom’s economic growth and lower middle income status.

In addition, the number of e-commerce players, both big and small, have mushroomed in the past one year, with many taking to social media platforms to solicit for business and promote service.

This year, the World Bank forecasts gross domestic product per capita to be $1,606, rising 2.6 per cent after dipping last year. With that, disposable income has expanded to 464,000 riel ($113) in 2017, according to market and consumer data research firm Statista Inc.

For full article, please read here

Author: Sangeetha Amarthalingam

Source: The Phnom Penh Post

Publication date: 30 September 2021

A year before the pandemic hit in 2019, the Philippine agri-food sector turned in a strong showing, accounting for an estimated P6.1-T to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The same year also saw the sector employ 42.7% of the national workforce.

In the new normal that changed our lives and livelihoods forever, The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM)  tries to recapture the same momentum for one of our country’s most lucrative export sectors.

This is made possible through the first-ever digital iteration of its banner sourcing event for Philippine food, the IFEX Digital Expo 2021, from 23-25 September 2021.

“One of the many things that the pandemic brought forth is the need to connect—now more than ever. COVID-19 changed the way we at CITEM worked, especially with heightened activity online. With borderless communication at our disposal, we present through this expo how we can conduct the business of food in the new normal,” CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan shares.

Leveraging its access to advanced digital tools, CITEM stages the IFEX Digital Expo 2021 to provide an avenue for Philippine food brands and businesses to showcase homegrown food products and ingredients to a wider audience.

Themed “Salu-salo,” IFEX Digital Expo brings together business owners, restaurateurs, hoteliers, farmers, food manufacturers and distributors, retailers, culinary professionals and foodies. The event serves as a medium for strengthening the food community through storytelling, knowledge sharing, and creating dialogue. This year’s show features over 200 exhibitors from all over the country. There are also invited industry experts from global organizations and local government agencies who will share their knowledge and insights on trends, opportunities, and techniques related to food. Networking and business-to-business matching sessions will also be part of the online event’s features.

A Three-Day Digital Celebration of Philippine Food

One of the highlights of the IFEX Digital Expo is the launch of two online platforms foodphilippines.com and www.ifexconnect.com, developed by CITEM. FOODPhilippines.com will be the website of the banner brand for all of CITEM’s events and initiatives for the Philippine food sector. Meanwhile, IFEXConnect.com will serve as the agency’s new promotion and lead generation platform for the country’s food export industry.

Expo delegates can look forward to a wide array of Philippine food product categories, including fine food and specialties, biscuits and confectionery, organic and natural food items and ingredients, and snacks and crispy savory food products.

In addition to the informative discussions, the expo is set to excite the palate through happy hour sessions such as coffee brewing. Take in the rich aromas and flavors of Philippine coffee on Day 1. Savor mouthwatering dishes as Chef Angelo Guison explores the flavorful gifts of coconut, from tree to plate, in Coco Pop on Day 2. Distinguish craft from draft with the Craft Beer Association of the Philippines and Philippine craft kings beer connoisseur Jazel Paraiso, as you sample a beer set and learn about beer-food pairing on Day 3.

Source From a Wide Array of Products at the Expo Section

The IFEX Digital Expo 2021 brings you an all-new digital sourcing experience through its Expo section on Hopin. Browse through a catalog of flavors harnessed from the Philippines’ distinct terroir and by Philippine food companies from all over the archipelago. In the three-day expo, you can also initiate business with food brands, export enablers, and business support organizations.

The IFEX Digital Expo 2021 is organized with the help of RAPID Growth, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Export Marketing Bureau-Halal (EMB-Halal), Philippine Coconut Authority, and DTI Regional Offices.