As the year draws to a close, we take a look back on the top 10 most read stories from Asia. Over 2018, these were the procurement and supply chain stories that mattered most to our readers...
1. Dyson to build electric car plant in Singapore
Singapore offers access to high-growth markets, extensive supply chains and a highly skilled workforces, says Dyson CEO. The plant is due to be completed in 2020.
2. Singapore to boost Asia infrastructure partnerships
The country’s finance minister Heng Swee said in February that the government’s new Infrastructure Office would be used to help businesses develop strong partnerships abroad.
3. Cost reduction 'part of Toyota's true values'
The automotive company’s financial report shows operating income was up 20.3% compared to the previous year. Its president Akio Toyoda said cost reduction and continuous improvement were part of the firm’s core values.
4. Fujitsu introduces ‘human-robot collaboration’ to production
Working with robotics firm Kuka, the technology company fully integrated a robot into its production line in January. Robots and humans are working “side by side”.
5. China tops renewable energy ranking
China was ranked the most attractive country for renewable energy investment by EY. The country is shifting towards clean energy and aims to source 20% of its energy from low-carbon sources by 2030.
6. CIMB claims victory in CIPS SM Asia Awards
The Malaysian bank achieved savings of $81m in two years as a result of a programme to improve its cost to income ratio. That saw it claim the top prize at the CIPS SM Asia Awards in July, as well as the award for Best Process Improvement Initiative.
7. India scraps minesweeper deal over tender talks deadlock
India cancelled a $5bn project to build 12 minesweeper warships in collaboration with a South Korean firm over a “deadlock” in procurement negotiations. The deal was terminated when the supplier did not agree to India’s procurement rules says former defence minister.
8. China's new silk road 'about political and military influence'
A US think tank accused China’s Belt and Road Initiative of being less about generating profit or supporting development than it is about political and military influence. The claim is due to the pattern of investment in ports in the Indo-Pacific region.
9. Public procurement markets opened up in Singapore Sri Lanka trade deal
The free trade agreement, signed at the end of January, allows Singapore businesses to bid for projects by Sri Lanka’s government and provides growth opportunities.
10. India 'on cusp of fourth industrial revolution'
The country needs to ensure that the existing workforce is able to re-skill as new technologies emerge, India’s prime minister said at the World Congress on Information Technology.