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Will Laos WTO Membership Increase Foreign Investment and Boost Economic Engagement?
February 6, 2013
On Saturday in Vientiane, Laos announced its full membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO is the global international organization that deals with the rules of trade between nations, with the goal of helping producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business. The WTO puts it this way: WTO “agreements cover goods, services and intellectual property. They spell out the principles of liberalization, and the permitted exceptions. They include individual countries’ commitments to lower customs tariffs and other trade barriers, and to open and keep open services markets.”
The process leading to approval for membership in the WTO often takes a country about five years and is a badge of marked economic achievement. For Laos, this effort has taken 15 years. To be admitted to the organization, Laos wrote and adopted scores of new laws and procedures in such areas as investment, regulation, and intellectual property in order to align itself with international trade norms. Laos can now claim to be the WTO’s 158th member.
For Laos, membership is a solid indicator of the nation’s growing engagement in the global economy. A single-party state since 1975 when the Communist government came to power, Laos began to open its economy in 1986. In recent years, the small, landlocked country has achieved some of the world’s highest economic growth, generally ranging between 7-8 percent annually. As of yet the benefits of the booming economy have not spread much beyond the capital city of Vientiane, and Laos remains among the world’s poorest nations. The growth is overwhelmingly due to the nation’s rich natural resources, and particularly hydropower dam construction and mining. With the goal of graduating from the list of least developed countries by 2020, sustaining this growth is critical.
The great hope here is that the WTO accession will provide a stamp of legitimacy that will attract increased foreign investors and thereby drive economic growth and reduce poverty. There are unofficial murmurs that the nation would also like to diversify its investors. Powerful neighboring countries – China, Vietnam, and Thailand – have dominated foreign investment in Laos. Until now, Western countries in particular have deemed the country’s investment and regulatory environment far too risky, and have passed over Laos in favor of countries with a more predictable legal and regulatory environment. The Lao people hope that the WTO acceptance will change that.
Even with the improved legislation in place, skeptics question what actual effect membership in the global trade body will have on the country’s economy given its other competitive disadvantages. Being landlocked adds substantial costs to exporting goods manufactured in Laos. The entire population is only 6.5 million. There is no significant domestic market. The workforce is small and unskilled compared to its neighbors. These conditions are only some of the major differences with Vietnam, a country that did see a sizable increase in foreign investment after it joined the WTO in 2007.
But whether for symbolic or tangible reasons, the accession is surely welcomed in Laos and beyond, and particularly by the other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Of the 10 member countries, Laos is the final one to be admitted into the WTO. The timing could also prove beneficial considering the effort currently underway to establish the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, as now all 10 diverse ASEAN nations start from the common ground of being beholden to the rules of the WTO.
Gretchen Kunze is The Asia Foundation’s country representative in Laos. She can be reached at [email protected]. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and not those of The Asia Foundation.
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Law of intended effects: Hands-free Teletraffic app sees spike from ban on texting while driving
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Call this the law of intended effect.
“We’re up another 5 percent, and ended the month with 6.3 million listens,” said Brett Milove, the company’s CEO. “The no texting thing is going to work in our favor because you don’t have to be on the phone to listen to traffic and interact with the app.”
So what else is new for the company?
- Teletraffic opened its first expansion in Jacksonville April 1
- The company is planning to open a Tampa and Miami site in the next month
- The firm came in fifth out of 17 companies in a 22-city competition judging technology uses to help ease traffic congestion
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Special Counsel Brian Sylvester was quoted in the Food Navigator article, “FDA says it’s made ‘substantial progress’ on CBD regs; CV Sciences weighs in on food vs pharma path; man sues CBD firm after failing drug test,” which provided a round up of hot legal and regulatory topics facing the CBD industry.
Sylvester discussed several topics with Food Navigator including the need for the FDA to define a regulatory pathway for CBD in non-drug products. “Back in March, FDA acknowledged increased interest in drug development from CBD, and asked manufacturers and other stakeholders to submit information on processes for deriving full and broad hemp extracts, and on how those extracts’ contents compare to CBD isolates,” he said.
The key will be “for FDA to define a suitable regulatory pathway for use of CBD in non-drug products that would not impede its continued development in pharmaceutical applications.”
Sylvester also discussed with Food Navigator a recent lawsuit in Missouri where an individual claimed he failed a drug test test and lost his job after he consumed CBD oil drops. While the lawsuit provides scant details about the individual’s consumption and the product, Sylvester said it highlights the challenges that businesses face operating in the CBD space. Sylvester noted that businesses have been sued for claims ranging from dosage levels to selling illegal ingredients.
“For CBD products that may contain trace levels of THC, and in the interest of defending against such challenges, manufacturers could do well to consider adding disclaimers to the potential presence of trace levels of THC,” Sylvester said “Of course, if CBD manufacturers opt to add a ‘THC free’ claim to product labels and advertising, they should have adequate documentation to back it up.”


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- Presidents Day car specials may seem like a recent idea, but they actually date back more than a century.
- The holiday weekend deals used to be bigger, but the pandemic and production shortages have meant few to no incentives.
- Although the marketplace is in a period of flux, you can expect Presidents Day weekend deals to be few and far between on a national scale.
Long ago, on gloomy February days with the roads a mess, car salespeople in Massachusetts would chain-smoke and complain how few customers came into their showrooms during the coldest, shortest month of the year. But they knew the year's first holiday weekend would drum up business when there wasn't any. Their plan: plaster the airwaves and newspapers with car specials exclusively on Presidents Day weekend. For all the revolutionary history steeped into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, pasting George Washington's face next to an Oldsmobile and handing out Boston Creams and balloons was a signature moment.
"February was a good time to buy a car and a mattress," said John Paul, AAA Northeast's "Car Doctor." "The salespeople were staring at each other playing cards. They said, 'Let's make an event.' "
History, at least how The Boston Globe wrote it in a 1958 obituary on Alvan T. Fuller, attributed the idea of Presidents Day car specials to the Massachusetts governor and Packard dealer. As far back as the early 1900s, Fuller's tactics of balloons, live bands, and personal invitations turned his dealerships into parties and parties into sales. Decades on, dealers ran an "advertising blitz" across newspapers, radio and television in the frenzy of Black Friday, according to Todd Merriam, a partner at accounting firm Withum. And since you're reading this on a phone or a 4K monitor, you well know that newspapers, radio, and television aren't where you look for car listings in 2023.
"It used to be the start of the spring sales season," said Merriam, who works closely with dozens of auto dealerships across New England. "The days of old where manufacturers had to offer deep incentives this time of year, now they don't have to."
No Steals Are Likely This Year . . .
Unfortunately, it's unlikely you'll find steals to be had this Presidents Day weekend in a new car market that just ended its worst sales year since 2012. According to Automotive News, car sales didn't even crack 13.9 million. Dried-up inventories, shipping delays, and parts shortages have dragged the auto industry since the pandemic began. Consumers got caught in the low supply curve and succumbed to paying sticker or accepting four- and five-figure markups on popular models. Dealers, to no one's surprise, are churning record per-car profits on new and used vehicles. There'll be no end in sight—and no significant deals—until global car production resumes to pre-pandemic levels.
. . . But a Small Incentive Is Still Possible
Unlike past years, automakers aren't backing their dealers with the attractive financing and leasing deals that made the weekend famous. For example, Ford dealers in New England are advertising Presidents Day as an enticement to come in, but without the big discounts, Merriam said. Chrysler is running a national campaign, but there's nothing of note from Honda, Hyundai, and other major brands. Nissan has been very aggressive with cheap 18-month leases on a couple models, but cash on the hood is a rare find. According to data from Automotive News, Ford is offering up to $3000 off last year's Edge. Audi is happy to take off $1500 on a new Q5, and even Toyota is feeling frisky with its ever-popular Tacoma, which has up to $1000 in rebates.
But with the bulk of the lowest factory interest rates between 3 and 7 percent, it's not exactly cheap to buy. Leasing can be even less of a deal as automakers have restricted customers from trading their leases to non-franchised dealers so they can't benefit from the equity of the used car market. As such, Certified Pre-Owned cars are more expensive and much older than they were a few years ago.
Still, the best universal advice is to shop for models that sit on lots for a while or at least won't disappear the moment they back off the delivery truck. Keep your eye on 2022 models or unusual specs that many buyers wouldn't want, look for interest-rate offers on your favored brand, and be prepared on Presidents Day and every day this year to compromise. Plus, you never know with the economy; next year could be a whole different story.
Clifford Atiyeh is a reporter and photographer for Car and Driver, specializing in business, government, and litigation news. He is vice president of the New England Motor Press Association and committed to saving both manuals and old Volvos.


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Ireland's credit rating reduced
Ireland credit rating reduced
Ireland joined Portugal and Greece as the third euro-area nation to have its credit rating reduced to below investment grade as European Union finance ministers struggle to contain the region's sovereign debt crisis.
In doing so, Moody's Investors Service cited the probability that Ireland will need additional official financing and for investors to share in losses before it can return to the private market to borrow.
Ireland, which had a top triple-A rating just over two years ago, has suffered after a real estate boom collapsed, fueling bank bailouts and a surge in the country's debt.
Kobo brings e-books to Germany
Kobo Inc., the digital book seller owned by Indigo Books & Music Inc. and Borders Group Inc., began offering e-books in Germany on Tuesday as part of a push into Europe.
The online e-book store will offer 80,000 titles in German and the Kobo e-reader will be sold in a major consumer electronics retailer in the country by August, CEO Michael Serbinis said. Online stores offering e-books in local languages will follow in France, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy this year, he said.
Sanrio looking for new character
Sanrio Co., the Japanese Hello Kitty brand licenser, plans to spend as much as $377 million to buy rights to a character for the first time to cut its reliance on the white cat with a red bow and no mouth.
Managing Director Susumu Emori declined to say whether the company is in talks with any candidates.
Sanrio, which ended a decadelong sales slump in 2010, relies on Hello Kitty goods for 80 percent of overseas licensing revenue.
Rival Tomy Co., the Japanese maker of Transformer and Pokemon toys, bought RC2 Corp., the maker of Thomas the Tank Engine products, in April for $640 million.


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Soybean imports to Mexico have maintained an upward trend in recent years and that same direction could continue, according to estimates by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
At a year-on-year rate, soybean imports to Mexico grew 1.7% in 2020, to $ 2.225 billion.
Statistics from the Ministry of Economy show that of this total external purchases, 86.5% came from the United States and the remaining 13.5% from Brazil.
Among the most important uses of soy is obtaining protein, oil, lecithin and forages.
Likewise, soybeans are cultivated for the production of seeds that are transformed into flour for the production of feed for livestock.
For vegetarians, soy is an excellent substitute for meat.
In particular, soybean oil is used for human consumption and for industrial uses, such as the manufacture of margarines, butters and chocolates.
According to private and official sources, soybean production in Mexico for the 2020/2021 marketing years (September-August) is forecast to remain unchanged at 250,000 tons with an estimated 145,000 hectares of harvested area.
This supposes the resumption of normal climatic conditions, mainly in the Yucatan peninsula.
The determining factor that predominates in the yield of Mexican soybeans continues to be the climate, since more than 81% of the soy production area of Mexico is not irrigated.
This level of production only supplies 4% of total domestic consumption, a level similar to that of a year ago.
In terms of value, soybean imports to Mexico rose continuously: in 2016 (1,620 million dollars), 2017 (1,732 million), 2018 (2,002 million) and 2019 (2,187 million).
According to USDA estimates, soy imports to Mexico are expected to increase 100,000 tons in the 2020/2021 cycle to 6.1 million tons.
Among the main causes are the moderate increase in demand for food, strong demand for processors and population growth.
In demand for animal feed, the USDA expects increasing purchases from poultry producers, as poultry is one of the cheapest sources of animal protein for Mexican consumers.
Soybeans continue to be the main oilseed imported by Mexico that is crushed domestically, a trend that should continue for the foreseeable future.
In terms of volume, soy imports to Mexico totaled 5 million 727,000 tons in the 2020 calendar year, a decrease of 4.4% year-on-year.


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Google can make every little thing from related thermostats to telephones, speakers, Television dongles and laptops. Quickly, you can incorporateand to that list. Why? To Google, the reply is very simple: It needs to make technological know-how considerably less distracting.
The organization talked over its vision for the long term of computing during itson Wednesday. A significant portion of its tactic depends on Google’s growing lineup of devices, which the corporation suggests will additional its ambitions in “ambient computing.” Google takes advantage of this time period usually to describe how its equipment interact with 1 one more, and it was a huge concentrate in the course of this year’s I/O.
But there is certainly some irony in Google’s technique. The goal at the rear of these new solutions is to ease the burden on the consumer by building the technological innovation itself much less obtrusive. The promise is that these gadgets will intelligently connect with a person a further and anticipate your requirements without the need of a lot intervention. Nevertheless having that reward means permitting far more of Google’s gizmos into your existence.
“In a multi-machine earth, people really don’t want to shell out their everyday living fussing with know-how,” Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president of equipment and products and services, claimed on stage throughout the celebration. “An ambient tactic receives the tech out of your way so you can reside your life though having the assistance you need.”
Google has historically made use of its developers convention keynote to spotlight significant updates to its software program platforms and apps, like, , the Google Assistant and Google Shots. On Wednesday, Google introduced software advancements and a ton far more. When devices have debuted at the clearly show in a long time earlier, Google launched six new pieces of components throughout Wednesday’s keynote. The enterprise introduced two new telephones (the Pixel 6A and Pixel 7), its initial smartwatch (the Pixel Watch), a new pair of earbuds (the Pixel Buds Professional), a new premium Pixel pill and a pair of AR glasses. That’s a large amount, and it underscores just how critical Google’s hardware has become.
“It will become form of like a constellation of gadgets,” explained Ramon Llamas, study director at the Worldwide Details Corporation, a current market research business. “And a constellation of apps inside of an ecosystem that are likely to not just draw people in, but preserve them there as well.”
Osterloh capped off Google’s hardware blitz with a monologue describing how Google envisions its products and solutions performing jointly in the potential. He beckoned the viewers to think about a earth in which your entrance doorway is aware of when to lock by itself, the tv quickly pauses when you go away the sofa to get a snack and when your equipment know irrespective of whether to send out an incoming simply call to your cellular phone, earbuds or watch. Google just isn’t entirely there nevertheless, but it can be quick to see how it is really relocating toward that aim. For instance, the firm introduced aclever exhibit that lets you summon the Google Assistant with no making use of a wake phrase.
“All of these issues get the job done in live performance to provide our vision of ambient computing, delivering the support individuals will need where ever they want it,” Osterloh explained.
The strategy alone is not new or novel. It really is the quite very same premise that’s been drivinghardware small business for a long time. Amazon, as well, has established a components ecosystem of its own that thrives on the way its web of Echo speakers, Eero Wi-Fi programs and Ring doorbells perform collectively. But that just furthers my place earning engineering a lot less obtrusive usually suggests investing in a lot more gizmos.
Google has been laying the groundwork for this vision for a lengthy time, from its acquisition of Nest in 2014 to the launch of the initially Pixel phone in 2016 and itsin 2021. These items continued to appear collectively at this year’s I/O with the debut of Google’s 1st smartwatch, which .
The research giant’s decision to increase its components footprint is also one more sign that winning clients about for the long time period normally takes a large amount more than releasing a terrific smartphone. As Apple has taught us, the a lot more invested you are in a brand’s loved ones of units, the more durable it is to depart. Samsung has been mimicking this approach about the last many a long time with its lineup of Galaxy watches, earbuds, telephones and tablets. At I/O, the message became clearer than ever that Google is accomplishing the exact same.
But for Google, there is a different wrinkle. As the purveyor of Android, it desires to balance acquiring its individual Pixel and Nest-exclusive systems alongside the broader computer software discovered on products from Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus and several other individuals. For a extended time, Google’s most sizeable affect in the customer tech market place has been its purpose as Android’s operator. That may possibly continue to be legitimate, but it really is making larger moves to adjust that narrative with its possess equipment.
In its mission to make gadgets in essence vanish from the user practical experience, Google has shown us how a great deal its components certainly issues. Now we’ll have to see if all those gadgets ultimately dwell up to Google’s guarantee.


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Luxury in China: Boom or Bubble
Luxury Round Table 2012
The Luxury Education Foundation (LEF) and Columbia Business School were pleased to present the 8th Annual Luxury Round Table “Luxury in China: Boom or Bubble”, which took place on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012 at 6:00 – 8:30 pm at Columbia Business School in Warren Hall, Room 142, located at 1125 Amsterdam Avenue (between 115th and 116th Streets).
This year’s event, moderated by LEF President Ketty Maisonrouge, focused on “Luxury in China: Boom or Bubble,” with panelists:
- JEAN-MARC BELLAICHE, Senior Partner & Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group
- VALERIE CHAPOULAUD, President & CEO, Louis Vuitton North America
- CATHERINE LIN, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Nihao Media
- EMMANUEL PERRIN, President & CEO, Cartier North America
The LEF Luxury Round Table (LRT) is an annual panel discussion in which three to four industry leaders share their views on current trends and challenges facing the industry with an enthusiastic group of business and design students. The event is designed to encourage and inspire students who will become the future business and creative leaders in luxury.
The event welcomed approximately 150 students and alumni from Columbia Business School, Parsons the New School for Design, as well as esteemed industry guests. The scope of this year’s discussion was particularly dynamic, and brought forth a great level of audience engagement, thanks to the invaluable insight of our wonderful panelists.


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The Chinese company which purchased the 99-year leasing right for the Port of Darwin announced on Tuesday an 18-million-U.S dollar expansion of its operations, just months after taking control of the port.
Landbridge Group, owned by Chinese billionaire Ye Cheng, said it would be expanding its operation in Darwin, with a one-km extension of its quay line among the planned upgrades.
The multi-million dollar development would "expand cruise ship facilities", as well as "meet future increases in cargo volumes in the areas of dry bulk exports, liquid bulk imports, live cattle and container and general cargo throughput," the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
Darwin Port chief executive officer Terry O'Connor said the plan would eventually "quadruple the size of the existing container yard."
The Northern Territory's Chief Minister Adam Giles told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Tuesday that he welcomed the news of Landbridge's plan as it would increase capacity for extra cruise and cargo routes coming into Australia's far north.
"It is in line with what we wanted to occur with an investor for the port. One of the reasons we pay a lot for goods and services that come over our port, is that our port is not big enough," Giles said.
Giles said Landbridge's plan would also provide a major boost for tourism in the region, allowing the government to show off little-known attractions such as the Kakadu national park.
"To expand the cruise ship terminal to be able to take two cruise ships... to see a new terminal itself, the dredging that'll go on, these are big investments in tourism, which government could never, ever afford to do," Giles said.
Landbridge signed the 99-year lease on the port in October, 2015.


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But it probably won't be Volkswagen badges adorning the F1 cars--Porsche is a better candidate, said Duerheimer in an interview with WirtschaftsWoche. The reasoning? F1 is the premier motorsport in Europe and Asia, and especially so in the Middle East. Duerheimer says the brand is "not sufficiently represented" in these markets, particularly the burgeoning Middle East and increasingly up-market Asia.
The VW Group's move into F1 (under any brand) would likely start as an engine supplier, though Duerheimer's comments seem to leave room for even more involvement--if his pitch makes it past the board, of course.
Plans for deeper American racing involvement are on the docket as well, with Duerheimer saying NASCAR and IndyCar must both be examined for future involvement.


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MULTICHANNEL MERCHANT » MUST READS
Must ReadsFeb 26, 2015 11:17 AM By Daniela Forte
Coach re-launches its website for omnichannel transformation and global expansion. See what else Coach has planned.
Must ReadsFeb 26, 2015 10:58 AM By Sean Bowen
With mobile devices, today’s shoppers can shop anywhere even from the comforts of their own homes. See why mobile apps are dominating over desktop websites for shoppers.
Must ReadsFeb 26, 2015 10:36 AM By MCM Staff
The rise of ecommerce on the African continent is changing the face of the traditional consumer, and brands need to adapt their business models and strategies in order to remain relevant among consumers and avoid a drop in market share.
Must ReadsFeb 26, 2015 9:55 AM By MCM Staff
The increasing complexity of today’s supply chain – brought on, in large part, by the surge in omnichannel retailing – will be a key theme and topic addressed at Multichannel Merchant’s 4th Annual Operations Summit, held April 14-16 in Louisville, KY.
Must ReadsFeb 26, 2015 6:20 AM By Michael DeSimone
Online retailers who sell globally are not unfamiliar with currency fluctuations. Yet the U.S. dollar has been going strong since last summer, and this scenario isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Here are five markets worth paying attention to while the dollar is hot.
Must ReadsFeb 25, 2015 2:33 PM By Mike O'Brien
Douglas Smith, VP of DTC operations for Sheplers, talks with Multichannel Merchant Senior Editor Mike O’Brien about the pros and cons of same-day delivery.
Must ReadsFeb 25, 2015 12:48 PM By Curt Barry
How can you determine what benefits a warehouse management system can bring to your business? The results of an objective assessment will determine the benefits a WMS brings to your company.
Must ReadsFeb 24, 2015 8:39 AM By Jim Davidson
Retailers are encouraged to set up automated emails that are triggered throughout the purchase path and a post-purchase email series to extend engagement after an order has been submitted. But if you’re not careful, this is where you can begin to creep out your customers.
Must ReadsFeb 24, 2015 8:01 AM By Tim Russo
EMV smart-chip cards made standard in Europe will soon make their way to the U.S., impacting your fraud prevention strategy. As smart cards become standard in the U.S., forward thinking ecommerce merchants must prepare for the coming increase in online fraud.
Must ReadsFeb 23, 2015 4:43 PM By Tim Parry
If there is one major lesson merchants learned during the 2014 holiday season, it’s that mobile mattered more than ever. Mobile commerce went from being a necessary evil to an overnight game-changer. And the merchants that got on board with mobile commerce reaped the benefits of the iOS and Android-armed shoppers.
by Jamin Dick
Posted 2 days ago
by Curt Barry
Posted 1 week ago


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A Chinese Manufacturer Enters the Filecoin Mining Space
A Shenzhen-based manufacturer, New Universal (Newu), had announced their start in the Filecoin mining space. The company purchased $90 million worth of the computing and storage equipment from Sesamg, a manufacturer from Jiangxi.
To begin with, Sesamg will ship 500 computers and 100 storage units to Newu. The company expects to have 119% revenue of their 2019 numbers thanks to the engagement with Filecoin mining.
Filecoin mining is becoming popular among Chinese companies. Back in February, a Chinese NASDAQ-listed gaming company The9 signed a $1 million contract on purchasing the equipment for Filecoin mining. FIL is growing steadily and is traded at around $76 at the moment.


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According to latest report, Uber is said to be in talks with Bird on a possible “multibillion-dollar” acquisition and, as a fallback, Uber has also been talking to smaller competitor Lime as well. Uber already owns a minority stake in Lime. Partnership with Lime earlier this year brought electric scooters to Uber’s app.
Both the sides are said to be focusing on getting the deal done as Uber is trying to lock up the market before it gets flooded. The report suggests that Uber is looking to secure a deal with either Bird or Lime before the end of the year, which suggests negotiations are already at an advanced stage. Bird CEO Travis VanderZanden, without denying the on-going speculation said that “Bird is not for sale,” which may or may not be a negotiating tactic.
There’s also a possibility that no agreement is reached between any of the three parties, but what looks sure is that we will be heading to 2019 with Uber in a commendable position at the top in the scooter-sharing market.


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Ripley’s Believe it or Not just purchased the Marilyn Monroe “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress, and they’ve got a new book out just in time for Christmas
Longtime Carney Show guest Ed Meyer was the one holding the paddles when he plunked down $4.8 Million for the diamond and sequined dress
Daniel Rust, author of “The Aerial Crossroads of America: St. Louis’ Lambert Airport”, joined Martin and Randi to talk about the book which goes through the history of Lambert Airport.
Ava’s $5 Challenge is back for Part 2 this year and their goal is to raise $10,000 to buy Christmas presents for kids at the Children’s Hospital. Ava and Nick talked to Martin and Randi about how to got started and this year’s goal. To find out more information or donate click here.
A Delmonico’s steak, or cajun food at Antoine’s in New Orleans, have you eaten at any of the 10 Restaurants that Changed America?


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AIANTA CEO to Curate GoUSA TV’s “Native Voices” Playlist
AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert will curate the “Native Voices” playlist at GoUSA TV, the streaming entertainment platform operated by BrandUSA, the nation’s travel marketing organization.
AIANTA CEO, Sherry L. Rupert
Just in time for Native American Heritage Month, GoUSA TV has launched its Native Voices playlist. The collection of streaming videos highlighting culture and traditions of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians is curated by Sherry L. Rupert, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA).
The GoUSA TV streaming platform is operated by BrandUSA, the nation’s international tourism marketing organization.
“I’m thrilled to be curating this list in partnership with BrandUSA,” said Rupert. “We’re seeing a dramatic increase in the number of international visitors who are interested in authentic, Indigenous experiences. These videos showcase a variety of travel ideas, from the Hawaiian Islands—the birthplace of surfing—to studying Native American art through the eyes of a Navajo silversmith, and will leave all travelers excited to explore and learn more about the indigenous visitor destinations throughout the country.”
For those who are seeking even more ways to honor American Indian and Alaska Native heritage this month, AIANTA has also launched its own Native American Heritage Month webpage, which highlights major happenings this month, including the opening of the new National Native American Veterans Memorial on November 11.
Just in time for Native American Heritage Month, AIANTA has also introduced its proprietary Jingle Dress thumb drive, which is available free of charge to all new and renewing AIANTA members. (AIANTA’s members help support AIANTA’s programming, including the American Indian Tourism Conference and AIANTA’s free webinar series, which help Native American-owned businesses thrive in the tourism marketplace.)
Individuals who use November as a launching pad for their holiday shopping, can also find inspiration at AIANTA’s Shop Native page, which features Native-crafted gift ideas from tribally owned and operated museums and cultural centers around the country.
More travel inspiration can also be found at www.NativeAmerica.travel, the only consumer website promoting Indian Country tourism, which provides ideas and inspiration for what to do in indigenous communities around the country.
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For nearly two decades, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the national center for providing tourism and recreational travel technical assistance, training and capacity building to American Indian nations. AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit association of Native American tribes and tribal businesses and was incorporated in 2002 to advance Indian Country tourism. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism that honors traditions and values.
About GoUSA TV
Because every place has a story. Imagine a channel that features a constant source of authentic, compelling, and entertaining travel stories from across the USA. GoUSA TV is the premier destination to discover all the possibilities the USA has to offer told from the diverse perspectives of real people.
GoUSA TV is powered by Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, and is available for download on your iOS or Android smartphone or on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and YouTube.
For more information and images, contact:
Marketing & PR Manager


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- Green Growth
- Your Consultant
09:04 | 17/09/2019
A French boy aged 10, who fell gravely ill in 2011 after consuming a beef burger from supermarket discounter Lidl that was infected with E ...
09:18 | 22/06/2019
Police in 78 countries have arrested 672 people as part of a coordinated global crackdown on potentially dangerous counterfeit food and drink, international police agency ...
10:47 | 02/04/2019
Business class passengers will be able to enjoy the specialties of Tay Ninh and Binh Thuan on Vietnam Airlines (VNA) flights between Hanoi and Ho ...
09:33 | 08/03/2019
A great portion of the vast variety of supplementary food on the market are believed to be counterfeit, fetching a hefty price while offering little ...
18:26 | 26/02/2019
Hanoi invited culinary artists to welcome domestic and international guests in order to introduce Vietnamese dishes.
16:12 | 21/01/2019
Six people have been charged after Australian authorities uncovered a multi-million-dollar crime syndicate stealing baby formula and vitamins from major retailers across Sydney for shipment ...
16:11 | 16/01/2019
ASEAN has applied various strategies to boost tourism. The unique cultures and diverse models of eco-tourism, recreational activities and travel options have made the region ...
08:00 | 13/01/2019
Coca-Cola Street Food Festival in Hanoi not only offers experiences about Asian food, but also brings meaningful activities about environmental protection.
14:59 | 27/12/2018
SEOUL: North Korea has acknowledged "drawbacks" in its agricultural sector this year, echoing UN reports of declining crop yields in a country that remains heavily ...
02:41 | 09/12/2018
The Vietnamese delivery market, especially food, is at a year long high with many new businesses and services profiting.


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Stocks edge lower ahead of company earnings, inflation data
By The Associated Press - | Oct 13, 2021
FILE - A Wall Street sign is seen next to surveillance equipment outside the New York Stock Exchange, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, in New York. Stocks are edging higher in early trading on Wall Street Tuesday, Oct. 12, as traders wait for more data on inflation and corporate earnings this week. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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The PON xx Papua 2021 which is a national sporting event in Indonesia has turned into one of the economic revival impulses. The national sports event on 2 – 15 October 2021 involves thousands of people consisting of officials, committees, athletes, etc. With that in mind, these 5 facts help to prove that PON XX help west Papua regain its economic power.
The Facts Of PON 2021
1. The Economy Impact
One thing mentioned by the KEMLU (embassy of the Republic of Indonesia) website is how the event can bring up a tremendous economic impact for New Guinea. Papua in general can consider the PON as a non-mining sector economic recovery since it introduces the province other than their rich in mineral status.
The PON activities are believed to help bring an increase in GRDP about 0.7 to 1.10% from the number of 1,222.84 billion. Not only that but there is also an immense influence in the construction sector that reaches IDR 851.88 billion or about 4.2% to 5.0%. It is a number that shows how significant the impact will take for west Papua or Papua in general.
2. The Use Of QRIS For PON XX
The modernization and online transaction using QRIS will ensue during the event PON 2021. QRIS or Quick response code Indonesian standards or digital wallet is part of the hybrid sporting event. The government decided to use the hybrid event as an effort to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who want to attend the event should follow strict health protocols.
There will be a limitation for the crowd, and the viewer needs to go through online registration. The hybrid sporting event is also available through live streaming and local television channels. QRIS also helps with payment channel that covers souvenirs, retail, culinary shopping, or entry tickets.
3. 4 Regions Locations
The sporting event was held in four different regions within Papua. It means to anticipate increased demand through PON XX 2021, including in West Papua. So to maintain the price of goods, the 4 regions ( Kota Jayapura, Kab. Jayapura, Kab. Mimika, and Kab. Merauke) will employ four principles. They are smooth distribution, supply availability, price affordability, and effective communication.
4. New Stadiums
The utilization of post-activity infrastructure, product promotion, and regional tourism as part of the PON xx 2021 asset optimization strategy. The idea is pretty vast, which includes the use of a new world-class stadium to accommodate the sporting event. The stadium is Lukas Enembe Sentani Stadium in the west of Jayapura city that has 45,000 people capacity.
5. 37 Sports And 6.442 Athletes
For the PON XX 2021 fact in number, the sporting event will feature 37 sports with around 6.442 athletes. The West Papuan and native should be happy that it is one of the biggest events in Indonesia. Inviting more people to get involved in the event also promotes the beauty and charm of Papua.
The Papua PON 2021 has been one of the great successes that help create economic recovery momentum in Papua. Asset optimization from the new stadiums and four locations helps spread the economy. Not only that, the use of QRIS and hybrid event make a better procession. The event was also considered to boost non-mining sectors’ economic recovery.


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The BBC’s plans to turn iPlayer into a rival to Netflix and Amazon have hit a roadblock after Ofcom said it may not be in the public interest.
The corporation wants to increase the number of box-sets it offers and to make them available for longer than the current 30 day limit.
But Ofcom has halted the plans and ordered the BBC to conduct a public interest test, saying the changes could have a detrimental effect on commercial rivals and “audiences could lose out”.
An Ofcom review identified “a risk that this increase in viewing to BBC iPlayer could come at the expense of its competitors”, including the video-on-demand services from ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
“As a result of the BBC offering substantial amounts of extra content, free of charge and free from advertising, commercial video-on-demand services may be squeezed and find it harder to make money from their own content,” the regulator said.
“We support the BBC’s ambition to evolve and renew its content and services… but we are also mindful that when the BBC wishes to make changes, this could significantly affect competition in the wider UK media market.
“While the BBC faces increasing competition from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime, in the UK it remains a large organisation with a unique funding mechanism.”
Ofcom said it would allow the BBC to retain box sets currently available and to add series already approved for iPlayer distribution.
The BBC’s director-general, Lord Hall of Birkenhead, has said the “reinvention” of iPlayer is crucial to the corporation’s future, saying it must “make the leap from a catch-up service to a must-visit destination in its own right”.
Responding to the Ofcom decision, a BBC spokesman said: “BBC iPlayer is vital to our audiences, particularly younger ones - it’s the way they increasingly consume content. Our approach is simply about making the iPlayer a better experience for users with the great British content they love, such as Bodyguard, Killing Eve and Blue Planet II.
“The reality is that we are operating in a UK market which has changed fundamentally with the advent of global tech giants who have deep pockets but do not reflect Britain and all its diversity.”
“Ultimately, we need to ensure that regulation acts in the interest of the wider public and supports the healthy future of Britain’s creative industries. We are sure Ofcom will recognise that.”


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Looking back at 2020
The Unexpected Year
From a deadly pandemic to a global movement for racial justice, the year 2020 has certainly experienced its fair share of events. Although it has been a year of lots of change it has also been a year of learning, growth, and new ideas here at PVE. Here are some of the things that happened around PVE this year.
We welcomed three new faces to the PVE team this year. Whitney joined the company just over a year ago as our receptionist and has recently transitioned to her new role as part of our Dealer Support Team. Colten is the son of sales manager Mark Hostetler and came on board with us in August as part of our Dealer Support Team. He brings a wealth of experience in customer service with him having spent several years working as a manager in retail sales. Lastly, Hannah recently joined us in October after graduating from Ohio Dominican and is transiting into her new role as our Marketing Manager.
From a product standpoint, we released ninety-three new products covering John Deere, Cat, and Case equipment. One of our core values, innovation, played a vital role in this production. As the world changes, we are always evolving whether that’s helping with customer solutions or keeping up with new machines. We are continually working to make parts that are best suited for our suppliers. This even includes having the best machines to produce the best products, with the new addition of our plasma cutting board we were able to do just that. This machine will be able to increase material utilization and minimize consumable costs for us at PVE.
Due to the pandemic, our online e-commerce sales have had a big growth with the addition of our Dealer Gateway site. The Dealer Gateway was recently established in August 2019 where our dealers can check prices, inventory levels, place orders, track shipments, and more. However, in 2020 our dealer gateway became the perfect tool to be utilized during the pandemic allowing our suppliers to order products directly anytime anywhere.
These are just some of the many things that happened around PVE this year. We are looking forward to what 2021 has to offer.« Back to Blog


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As construction companies added 16,000 jobs in August, nonresidential contractors are still limited by a lack of skilled labor according to a survey conducted by Associated General Contractors of America.
The cost of materials and services typically used in construction jumped 4,3% in May alone and by nearly 25% between that month and May 2020, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Speaking on Wednesday at a Daily Reporter Builder Breakfast webinar on “The future of the construction supply chain,” AGC of America Chief Economist Ken Simonson readily acknowledged that the main culprit in all of the supply chain pressure has been COVID-19. But there's more to it than that.
More than a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction industry is faced with unprecedented supply chain disruptions even as the economy at large shows signs of climbing back to where it was before the coronavirus.
Though the construction industry has largely continued to work through the coronavirus pandemic, it hasn’t dodged the broad economic downturn that’s followed the outbreak, according to a survey released by the Associated General Contractors of America Friday.


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Professional Community for Car Dealers, Marketing, Advertising and Sales Leaders
Swapalease.com, the nation’s largest car lease marketplace, reports lease credit approvals during October rebounded to a rate of 74.1%, compared with 64.5% in September. Roughly three out of every four lease applicants were approved in October, an important indicator given the continued popularity of car and truck leases.
Year to date, Swapalease.com has recorded a lease credit approval rate of 68.6%, just shy of the 70% rate that is considered normal in the marketplace. Over the last three months, approximately 73.4% of all lease applicants have been approved for lease exchanges.
The timing of the lease credit approvals rate is interesting given the proximity to the holiday shopping season and end-of-year auto deals. Consumers are expected to rely on credit for purchases as the end of 2014 nears. Online holiday shopping is expected to reach $89 billion in sales this year and up 13% from a year ago. Auto sales are expected to finish the year strong at approximately 16.1 million units sold, up from 15.6 million in 2013.
Swapalease.com anticipates mixed results regarding lease credit approvals in November and December, when car lease shoppers increase their appetite for entry-level luxury models given a boost from holiday advertising campaigns. The marketplace has also experienced a larger number of lease credit declines in 2014 from car shoppers with less-than-stellar credit profiles hoping to secure a subprime lease finance package.
“Credit is the lifeblood of leasing and subprime profiles have a more difficult time getting approved by the bank,” said Scot Hall, Executive Vice President of Swapalease.com. “We will be keeping a watchful eye out this holiday season, particularly as car shoppers in all credit profiles look to take over a luxury lease inspired by the ‘December To Remember’ holiday campaigns.”
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Swapalease.com is the world’s largest automotive lease marketplace and the pioneer in facilitating lease transfers online. More specifically Swapalease.com matches individuals who want to get out of their lease with people who are looking for short-term lease agreements. Prospective buyers can search the listings for the exact vehicle they want, and then register for a nominal fee, allowing them to use Swapalease.com’s safe online system to contact the prospective seller and close the deal.


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Many people age 50 and older are more savvy about technology than they are often given credit for.
They use technology daily in the workplace and at home. Social media has exposed them to marketing for new devices and apps. Plus the pandemic has forced them to adapt quickly to ideas they might have been hesitant to try a couple of years ago.
“And they’re expecting products and services that meet that level of sophistication,” says Rick Robinson, vice president for start-up engagement at AARP Innovation Labs.
Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life.
It has driven AARP and its affiliated AARP Innovation Labs to launch the AgeTech Collaborative, an ambitious community of early stage start-up companies, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, service providers and industry leaders brought together to spark ideas and spur innovation. The promise is that the collaborative will benefit all of them while ultimately serving the greater good of older consumers they are hoping to impress.
Older Americans propel U.S. economy
To be sure, the companies lending their time, money and expertise also see dollar signs. AARP estimates the 50-plus market, what it calls the Longevity Economy, contributes $8.3 trillion to the U.S. economy each year and is responsible for 56 cents of every dollar spent.
Many of the 50 or so start-ups involved in the collaborative at launch will be seeking access to financing that for some may have been out of reach. AgeTech start-ups run the gamut. Initial participants include Voiceitt, which developed an app to help people with nonstandard speech be heard; Rendever, a virtual reality firm that aims to tackle social isolation; estate planning service Trust & Will; and Mighty Health, a company that says it has developed joint-friendly, low-impact fitness workouts.
QED Investors and Revolution Ventures are among the potential lenders on AgeTech’s venture capital and investing side. Walgreens, T. Rowe Price, the National Association of Realtors, global law firm Cooley, and MassChallenge, a global network for innovators who are working to solve massive challenges, also have joined the collaborative.
“There is a pressing need for products and services that help people make informed choices about how they live as they get older,” says Nigel Morris, cofounder of Capital One Financial Services. He’s now managing partner of QED Investors, which focuses investments on financial technology companies. “We want people to make better financial decisions, save for retirement and feel empowered to have financial resiliency. That is why we’re so excited by the efforts of AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative.”
Adds Kevin Collins, head of retirement plan services at T. Rowe Price: “One of our priorities … is to provide accelerated digital solutions that are personalized, easy and integrated to help retirement savers achieve the outcomes they desire. The AgeTech Collaborative will give us the opportunity to increase our exposure to innovative solutions in this emerging space.”
AARP is also soliciting applications from organizations such as health care systems, long-term care facilities and universities that can provide settings where start-ups can test and validate their products and ideas.
Businesses invited to apply
Working with start-ups is nothing new for AARP, but the consortium isn’t open to just anyone. Start-ups that want to join must apply to compete in one of the many Shark Tank-like pitch challenges that AARP hosts. Companies that win these competitions or otherwise make a positive impression are invited into an eight-week accelerator program where they can connect with other start-ups, dive into research, discover insights about the older demographic and gain access to the collaborative.
The collaborative will publish blog posts and news updates related to its companies and on technology related to aging and 50-plus consumers generally. And it will host virtual events for participants in which founders may talk about weathering the early stages of being a start-up. Information about the participants will be available in a searchable directory.
AARP is also taking a stake in some of the start-ups, ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.
“We only invest in things that tie to our social missions,” which include caregiving, health care, housing, savings and planning, and work and jobs, says Andy Miller, AARP’s senior vice president of innovation and product development. Any money earned from AARP’s investments ultimately will flow back into the organization to serve the nonprofit’s goals.
“This is us punching out into the world and saying, ‘This is age tech, this is a really important space, and we’re going to lead it and bring people along.’” Robinson says. “The AgeTech Collaborative is part of AARP’s endeavor to command the space we occupy.”
Edward C. Baig is a contributing writer who covers technology and other consumer topics. He previously worked for USA Today, BusinessWeek, U.S. News & World Report and Fortune and is the author of Macs for Dummies and the coauthor of iPhone for Dummies and iPad for Dummies.


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Despite new concerns about recent COVID-19 related restrictions, retailer supply chains are currently robust, products should be readily available at most stores, and experts are saying that shoppers should stop panic shopping.
On Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee announced month-long partial business shutdowns, including changes at grocery stores, the closure of gyms, bowling centers, museums and movie theaters, as well as a ban on indoor seating in restaurants. After his announcement, some area residents took to social media to advise their neighbors to “stock-up,” igniting some instances of long lines at certain retailers such as Costco and Walmart.
It appears that this social media “advice,” while perhaps well-intentioned, was off the mark and most likely did more harm than good, triggering instances of panic-buying.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit last March/April and Inslee issued a ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order, many shoppers panicked and stocked up on what they considered essentials, like toilet paper. Several product categories were limited or depleted.
Here’s why industry and area leaders are saying there is no need to queue-up and buy-up in such a manner now:
- Inslee’s new restrictions reduce retail shopping capacity in stores from 30% to 25% in the heart of the holiday season, when some retailers see up to 40% of their annual sales. This is not a dramatic decrease from the previous 30% capacity guidelines which have been in effect for the last several months.
- The most recent orders are different, however, and our knowledge of the virus – including safety precautions like wearing face masks – has increased.
- Safety at retail stores has increased, with face masks required, social distancing markers, plexiglass screens and more.
- Experts say that most products should be readily available for the foreseeable future.
But now we’re seeing somewhat of a repeat – long lines wind around outside local Costcos, toilet paper and the other usual items are scarce, and even cans of Spam are hard to find.
From the very beginning of the pandemic last March, retail employees have been on the front lines of serving our communities. Those in the “essential businesses” that stayed open have worked to ensure that Washingtonians have the food and other goods that we all need. Others, who work in “non-essential” retail businesses, struggled financially until those businesses were allowed to reopen in early June.
“If 2020 has proven one thing it’s that retailers are adaptable and resilient. Our industry has continued to innovate like never before to face this great public health challenge,” said Renée Sunde, President and Chief Executive of the Washington Retail Association. “We want to serve our customers safely and be part of the solution. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and employees.”
In addition to standard protocols required by the CDC, retailers have adopted additional safety measures, including contactless payment methods, extended hours, and appointment-only shopping options. Solutions that merge both physical and digital shopping methods have led to the growth of curbside delivery, buy on-line/pick-up at store, and a variety of personal shipping services. Washington Retail has also participated in public campaigns to encourage customers to wear face masks in stores and other public settings.
“We’ve maintained an open dialogue with the Governor’s office to strategize on solutions that would ensure the safety of both customers and employees,” Sunde added. “Some of those recommendations were included in the new guidance while recommendations for raising in-store capacity were not.
Washington Retail is concerned about the impact of the widespread shutdowns of businesses, including the restaurant industry.
“Retailers and restaurants depend on healthy businesses to help each other,” Sunde said. “The closure of indoor dining and other services will no doubt impact us all.”
Despite the many challenges, retailers have proven to go above and beyond requirements to prioritize the needs of customers, Sunde added.
“As with all Washington residents, our retailers will keep working hard to negotiate the delicate balance of safely serving customer demands while remaining committed to reducing infections and returning us to a way of life we all miss,” she said.
“We encourage shoppers to safely shop at their favorite retailers – many of whom are deploying curbside pick-up, buy online and pick up in store, and home delivery options,” added Mark Johnson, Sr. VP of Policy and Government Affairs for the Washington Retail Association.
“We are optimistic that a widely deployed vaccine will be available soon,” Johnson added.
Established in 1987, the Olympia-based Washington Retail Association is the primary advocacy group for retailers of all shapes and sizes across the State of Washington. It represents more than 4,000 storefronts across the state. More info here: https://washingtonretail.org.


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The popular AVPlayer has received an update for iPhone and iPad adding a long requested feature: cloud-powered streaming. Now, users of both AVPlayer for iPhone and AVPlayerHD for iPad can stream videos stored in both Dropbox and Google Drive to their handset or tablet, making it easier for users to access a cloud-based personal video library without using up valuable storage on their iOS device.
If, like me, you own a 16GB iPhone or a 16GB iPad and use a range of cloud services to store content like pictures and video for on-the-go access, AVPlayer’s latest update will be music to your ears. Besides allowing users to stream content from either a Dropbox or Google Drive account, the updated application also let users download content from both services and save it locally.
Dropbox storage might be a little pricey, but Google Drive’s recent price drop means iOS device users can now store 100GB of content in the cloud for just $1.99 per month. For 1TB of storage, users need only cough up $9.99 per month.
On a personal note, I’d have liked to see the folks behind AVPlayer add support for Transporter – given that Connected Data recently launched a developer program for their cost-effective, private cloud storage product, this is a realistic hope for the iOS apps. So far, Smile’s PDFpen and Readdle’s Scanner Pro are among the first applications to offering built-in Transporter sharing.
Besides adding Dropbox and Google Drive streaming, AVPlayer and AVPlayerHD have also received an important bug fix concerning the connect button for FTP and WebDAV. Both apps can be downloaded on the App Store for $2.99 apiece.
Check out the recently updated AVPlayer and AVPlayerHD now, or for more of our recent news, see: This New Apple ‘iWatch’ Concept Has A Familiar Look To It, Apple CarPlay Technology Is Coming To The 2015 Hyundai Sonata, and Google Glass Sells Out Following First Ever One-Day Sale.[gallery]


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NutriForward on Wednesday introduced its new dietary ingredient RiduZone, a naturally occurring appetite regulator that it says supports healthy weight, appetite, body-fat composition and cholesterol levels in adults
The online channel more and more is becoming a key channel of distribution for vitamin and dietary supplement brands. According to Clavis Insight’s latest category analysis, only 16% of all VMS sales in 2014 were sold online. But considering that 64% of all CPG sales are digitally influenced, it won’t be long before a greater portion of the $25 billion in annual VMS sales is conducted online.
OTC buyers sniffing out the next big opportunity within VMS may need only go as far as their nose. Piping Rock Health Products, led by NBTY cofounder Scott Rudolph, is bringing aromatherapy to the mass market with its new Nature’s Truth brand.
Sales of vitamins within U.S. multi-outlets were up 3.2% to $6.7 billion for the 52 weeks ended June 14 , according to IRI, with no signs of slowing down. Gummy vitamins continue to trend within the multivitamin space, overall sales of which were up 2% to $1.7 billion.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores will host a Vision 2026 platform at the Total Store Expo this month in Denver. Here, DSN previews a few of the companies that will be participating in Vision 2026 by offering their perspectives on the changes ahead in retail and health care in the years to come.


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According to Greenpeace, only 5% of plastic waste in the US was recycled in 2021, making the country the biggest contributor to plastic waste. In comparison, the EU achieved a recycling rate of around 42% and the UK - 45% - during the same time period.
One of the reasons behind the US’ poor record is that many types of plastics are not recyclable in traditional recycling facilities. Mechanical recycling, which has been the default approach to recycling globally in recent decades, has continuously fallen short of processing so-called hard-to-recycled plastics that are contained in products such as food pouches or snack wrappers. Greenpeace labeled The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo and Nestlé the world's biggest plastic polluters in its 2022 branded report, highlighting that 'voluntary commitments are not enough' to tackle the global issue.
Now, hard-to-recycle plastics could become part of the food industry's plastic waste problem thanks to advanced recycling technology. This method uses chemical processes and/or heat to break down hard-to-recycle plastics into monomers, making it possible for more plastic to remain in the loop. From there, the processed materials can be incorporated in the manufacture of recycled packaging, ensuring that less virgin fossil-based plastic is used by companies.
TekniPlex Consumer Products, a firm that specializes in the formulation, processing, and manufacturing of materials-based solutions including packaging, has recently obtained a globally-recognised certification that enables its clients, such as food companies, to better communicate the sustainability credentials of their recycled packaging.
TekniPlex leverages advanced recycled polypropylene as part of its food-sector solutions, such as coffee pods, fruit and dessert cups, deli packaging and containers for yogurt and other dairy products. The company has obtained ISCC Plus certification, which allows the firm to certify the percentage of advanced recycled plastics included in its products.
The sought-after certification centers around a key conundrum of advanced recycled plastic resins. Compared with conventional mechanical recycling, chemical recycling produces pristine resins, functionally equal and virtually indistinguishable from virgin materials. For that same reason, companies incorporating advanced recycled plastics into products must keep careful track of these materials to avoid false or misleading sustainability claims. ISCC Plus is a globally recognized system for verifiable traceability of recycled materials throughout the supply chain, including transparent, verifiable standards for advanced recycled materials.
Explaining how the company achieved this certification for its Dublin, Virginia, plant, Rafael I. Posada, Global Sustainability Director – Consumer Division at TekniPlex said: “Obtaining a ISCC Plus certification is a 4 to 6-month effort, including education and training, preparation of information, potential material flow systems, data collection and reporting adjustments, internal and external audits and final approval."
Adding advanced recycled resins to existing fossil-based packaging is a way of promoting circularity and reducing waste, which can lead to lowering carbon emissions, a key goal for dairy manufacturers globally. Asked how leveraging this type of packaging could help food manufacturers in their greenhouse gas reduction efforts, Posada told us: “It is up to our clients if they want to report recycled content on pack – some just use this internally to meet their environmental goals and to comply with the new regulations in some US states. Others also display [information] on the labels, either mentioning ‘use of recycled materials’ or even percentages, similar to what you see in most corrugate and paperboard secondary packaging.”
Posada also highlighted that the use of recycled materials in packaging is entirely voluntary in many states, and only few are already implementing regulations with specific contents for certain type of products, particularly for beverage packaging.
But the benefits of using advanced recycled resins – and having the certification to demonstrate this to clients and consumers - are evident. “The certification allows TekniPlex Consumer Products to assure customers that varying, customizable percentages of recycled PP are being utilized in their packaging solutions,” Posada said. “In doing so, the company can better support current and future legislative mandates for increased recycled content and reduced virgin resin usage without compromising its solutions’ protective and functional properties.”
“Adding advanced recycled resins to existing fossil-based packaging is a way of promoting circularity and reducing waste getting to the landfills - both beneficial to lower our carbon footprint, which has been a goal for most of the dairy companies, and adding this type of materials helps reaching their goals.” - Rafael I. Posada, global sustainability director, consumer division
Educating the consumer
While several studies have shown that label information can influence consumers’ willingness to pay for a particular product – particularly if this information is communicated through certification – getting shoppers to understand the importance of ISCC-certified packaging is at its early stages. “That is the ultimate objective, educate consumers and make them aware of the environmental impact of the packages by providing more information on materials, recycled content, recyclability, etc.," Posada explained. "It is a long process, like the evolution we have seen on nutritional information over the last decades. The food companies along with us have a long way to go on this respect.”
According to a survey carried out by the American Chemistry Council and published April 2023, consumers are widely onboard with the concept of advanced recycling: specifically, 85% of consumers believe if a new plastic product is made from plastics processed through advanced recycling, the product could have a label saying it contained 'recycled content'; and 64% support third-party certifications.
Besides keeping the existing materials in the loop, what are the other benefits of utilizing this technology? And how costly is it to implement and run? “Avoiding empty packages ending up buried in landfill or floating in the sea is already a major benefit,” he told us. “Converting them into new resins through advanced recycling systems is also generating less carbon emissions than making them from scratch."
“Multiple technologies and conversion sites are already in place, major investments are needed, and all resin suppliers continue to research and develop new and economical ways to reduce the cost, which today is higher than virgin materials.”
On what could be the minimum amount of recycled PP that should be incorporated in packaging for the certification to apply, Posada said that while there is no official limit, “anything less than 25% of recycled content is not worth the effort”. “Some states are already implementing recycled content legislation for specific packages, including a yearly increase,” he added.
Label information and consumer behaviour: evidence on drinking milk sector
Marchini, A., et al.
Published: March 2021


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From Scotch to Bourbon: Kentucky Owl Brings On Industry Veteran Maureen Robinson as the Brand’s First Female Master Blender
Kentucky Owl has tapped Maureen Robinson as the brand’s new Master Blender, and the news was announced in a news release on Thursday that Robinson will follow in the footsteps of John Rhea as he enters retirement. Robinson is the first female Master Blender to be hired by the bourbon brand.
Robinson holds 45 years of experience and is a trailblazer in the blending world. She has worked for prestigious Scotch whisky brands like Johnnie Walker, The Singleton, Buchanan’s and Old Parr as one of Diageo’s first female Master Blenders. She was awarded the Keeper of the Quaich in 2012 and inducted into the Scotch Whisky Hall of Fame in 2019. In October 2022, Robinson was awarded ‘Master of the Quaich,’ a high honor in the Scotch trade. Robinson retired from working in the Scotch whisky industry in June 2022, but it seems she is eager to return to blending — in the bourbon world.
“I’m really looking forward to my new career venture into the bourbon industry and, as the first female master blender at Kentucky Owl, I look forward to being a role model for aspiring women who have a passion for whiskey making,” Robinson stated according to the news release.
Though Robinson has plenty of experience blending scotches, she is intimately acquainted with bourbon as well. As a Scotch whisky Master Blender, she worked heavily with second-fill bourbon barrels. When asked about her previous experience, Robinson expressed excitement about switching gears to the bourbon world.
“I’m excited to be now working with first-fill bourbon barrels, understanding how flavor is influenced using new American oak barrels and the processes you can use to differentiate these flavors to create new whiskeys,” Robinson explained.
Kentucky Owl was founded in 1879, according to the brand and operated all the way until Prohibition. The brand, known as “The Wise Man’s Bourbon,” was founded by Pharmacist Charles Dedman, and was successful until the Federal Government seized 250,000 gallons of Kentucky Owl and stored the barrels in a warehouse. A few nights later, the warehouse was reduced to ash and rubble, and the bourbon – along with the Kentucky Owl brand – was reduced to history.
The brand was eventually revitalized by Dixon Deadman, Charles Dedman’s grandson, and purchased by the Stoli Group in 2017.
The spirits supplier’s Global CEO Chris Caldwell expressed his support and enthusiasm for bringing Robinson aboard in a statement per the news release.
“With Maureen’s impressive knowledge and vast blending experience on some of the world’s biggest scotch whisky brands, we are incredibly fortunate to have someone of her caliber to follow on from John Rhea and we are all looking forward to her future contributions to Kentucky Owl with her new role as Master Blender,” Caldwell concluded.
This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site. This helps support Whiskey Raiders at no additional cost to you.


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What a decade! Yes, that’s right … it’s been 10 years since the world saw the first iPhone and what a journey it has been since then right up until now. This year, Apple is planning to launch a very special 10th Anniversary edition of its much-coveted iconic product: the iPhone. Set at a rather high price tag of $1,000, this gadget is said to include some pretty significant changes.
If reports and rumors are to be believed, we will be seeing a new iPhone as soon as this year, along with the S and S Plus versions of the already-in-market iPhone 7 that are already set to launch later along the year in September. However, this is no ordinary phone or even an ordinary iPhone!
Here’s what we know so far:
Apple will be switching to OLED panels supplied by one of its biggest competitors, Samsung, for the iPhone 8’s display. But this isn’t the only place the iPhone 8 will be following suit with Samsung. Apparently, the new iPhone’s screen will be curved as well. The screen will be a curved 5.8 inches but will still manage to sit in the original iPhone size of 4.7 inches.
Apart from all of this, another change that is coming our ways is rumored to be that of the lightning port. According to reports, the iPhone will be saying farewell to the lightning port in lieu of the USB-C cable. Even though this change is a welcome one, it means that people are growing skeptical of purchasing any products that might ship with a lightning port right now. Right now, the question is also arising about whether the soon-to-be-launched iPhone 7S and S Plus will be coming equipped with a USB-C cable as well or not.
As is the case with any good smartphone, the price tag for this product is set to a rather high $1,000. And at such a price tag, Apple will be expected to deliver for the amount that it’s asking for. However, with a curved display, a glass casing and the rumored 3D selfies, it seems that the company is already delivering a lot and then some!
image: HANDY ABOVERGLEICH


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A new prize unveiled this week will honour local manufacturers that are investing in closer regional ties.
The new gong is part of the annual awards conferred by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) but differs in that it will be handed out in conjunction with Malaysia's RHB Bank.
It will recognise companies for their work with supply-chain partners and come with overseas business missions in the year ahead.
SMF president Douglas Foo, who also leads food and beverage group Sakae Holdings, told The Straits Times that the award category's new focus on South-east Asia does not mean that manufacturers here are narrowing their horizons.
"We need to really look at the whole of Asean as our manufacturing and consumption base... and then from there move into the global marketplace," he said.
Mr Philip Lee, chairman of the awards organising committee, added in a statement: "Amid rising business costs and competition from both developing and developed countries, our local companies must collaborate to seek new growth opportunities."
RHB - the official partner bank for the SMF Awards - will lend its support to the upcoming business missions, which will involve visits to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Laos.
The third edition of the SMF Awards also features a sustainable growth prize - for companies that have adapted to tough conditions and grown their profitability - as well as a business model innovation award.
Mr Foo told The Straits Times that he hopes the awards will help to generate buzz and attract a pipeline of talent for the manufacturing sector.
"We really would like to have a conversation about the future of manufacturing," he said.
"Going forward, we are very optimistic that manufacturing will become a cool industry that young people will want to join, because of the potential of digital transformation."
Applications are open until April 16, with the awards to be handed out next September at a gala dinner featuring Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat as guest of honour.
The Straits Times is the media partner for the SMF Awards 2018.


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It has been a tricky year atop the corporate ladder. Sluggish growth in many markets has set bosses scrambling to rein in costs just as inflation has spurred their workers to demand hefty pay rises. Fractious geopolitics and toxic culture wars have left corporate chieftains feeling like tightrope-walkers. The craze for generative artificial intelligence (AI) has had them fretting over looming technological disruption, too.
Still, for some chief executives 2023 was a vintage year. To determine who did it best, The Economist has examined the performance of bosses of large listed companies in the S&P 1200 index, which covers most big economies bar China and India. We put aside those who have been in the job for less than three years, to avoid giving too much credit for replacing an inept predecessor. We then ranked the remaining chief executives by the returns they generated for shareholders relative to their sector’s average. The top ten by that measure included both household names and relative dark horses.
Among the top ten were bosses of two companies—Cameco, a Canadian miner, and PulteGroup, an American homebuilder—whose stellar results were thanks mostly to macroeconomic forces (a surge in uranium prices and a slump in sales of existing homes, respectively). We left them out. Also on the list were the chief executives of two buy-out firms, 3i and Melrose Industries, whose results were more a testament to the performance of the bosses running their portfolio companies than the financiers on top. We excluded them, too. Last, we also removed Richard Blickman of BE Semiconductor Industries, a Dutch maker of chipmaking tools. His pay was rejected by shareholders—not a good look for any chief executive.
That has left us with a shortlist of five superstar chief executives for 2023 (see table). In ascending order of shareholder returns these are: David Ricks of Eli Lilly, now the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical firm; David Vélez Osorno of Nubank, a Brazilian neobank that is gobbling up customers across Latin America; Sekiya Kazuma of Disco, a Japanese maker of cutting-edge tools for semiconductor production; Mark Zuckerberg of social-media giant Meta; and Jensen Huang of Nvidia, a chipmaker whose market value soared past $1trn this year.
Over the holiday season all five can bask in the warm glow of having generated enormous value for shareholders. But who has had the best year of all?
A case can be made for any of the five. Mr Ricks has put Eli Lilly close on the heels of Novo Nordisk, a Danish rival, in the bulging market for anti-obesity drugs and overseen extraordinary results in a very ordinary year for the industry. Few neobanks have managed to dislodge entrenched incumbents. Yet under Mr Osorno’s leadership Nubank, which he co-founded in 2013, has grown into the fifth-largest financial institution in Latin America by number of customers. Mr Kazuma, who also runs Disco’s research-and-development division, has kept his company at the frontier of semiconductor dicing and grinding for many years. After terrifying investors in 2022 with his descent into metaverse madness, Mr Zuckerberg delighted them in 2023 with his “year of efficiency” and his company’s forays into generative AI. And Mr Huang has cemented his firm’s position as the indispensable supplier of the chips powering the AI revolution.
How, then, to choose? One way is to listen to the underlings. After all, a chief executive that hoists the share price but enrages staff is unlikely to succeed for long. We gathered figures from Glassdoor, an employee-review website, on how workers at the five companies felt about their chief executives and their companies more broadly.
At a mere 62% Mr Zuckerberg’s approval rating is a clear outlier, suggesting that his “year of efficiency” has been as awful as it sounds for employees. Worker satisfaction at Disco also seems low (albeit with fewer respondents). One explanation may be the company’s odd mechanism for co-ordinating work. Teams use a virtual currency called Will to pay one another for providing services. Managers then dole out the currency among team members for performing tasks, which determines bonuses. All that sounds like an economist’s dream, but hardly collegial.
Angering customers is also an unsound strategy for chief executives. This year a number of American states including California have sued Eli Lilly, among others, for allegedly overcharging for insulin, an essential drug for diabetics. The company’s decision in March to slash insulin prices by 70% has done little to quell the upset. (The company has rejected what it describes as the “false allegations” of the lawsuit in California.)
As for Mr Osorno, not all of his strategy is paying off. Although Nubank is profitable as a whole, an achievement that has eluded many of its peers elsewhere, it is losing money in Mexico, where its approach of targeting the unbanked is proving costly. If Mr Osorno pulls it off, he could claim the prize in years to come.
It is Mr Huang, then, who prevails. Few bosses have been as farsighted in their bets on AI as Nvidia’s chief. Over a decade ago Mr Huang realised that the graphical processing units his company produced were also good at training AI models. In the years that followed he readied Nvidia for the AI wave by investing in a proprietary software platform, CUDA, to help developers make use of its chips and by acquiring Mellanox, a supplier of networking technology that links many chips together to deliver greater processing power.The pay-off from those bets is now becoming clear; Nvidia controls over 80% of the market for specialist AI chips.
Mr Huang, whose signature leather jacket has become as integral to his public persona as the turtlenecks sported by Steve Jobs, reportedly shares the Apple founder’s intensity and exacting standards. Nonetheless, he is adored by staff, with a 98% approval rating. All things considered, he has had the best 2023 of all. ■
I've spent years deeply entrenched in the realms of business analysis and corporate leadership, navigating the intricate landscapes of market trends, executive decision-making, and technological disruptions. I've delved into extensive research, examined company performances, and scrutinized the multifaceted dynamics shaping the corporate world.
This article from December 28th, 2023, explores the challenging year for corporate leaders. It discusses the scrutiny placed on chief executives of large listed companies in the S&P 1200 index, focusing on their performance relative to sector averages. The top-performing executives, excluding those with less than three years in the role or whose success was attributed more to macroeconomic forces or subsidiary performances, narrowed down to five individuals:
- David Ricks of Eli Lilly: Leading the pharmaceutical giant, he's brought the company close to a top rival in the market for anti-obesity drugs while navigating an ordinary year for the industry.
- David Vélez Osorno of Nubank: Co-founder of the Brazilian neobank, which has rapidly grown to become the fifth-largest financial institution in Latin America, targeting customers across the region.
- Sekiya Kazuma of Disco: Overseeing a Japanese semiconductor tool-making company, maintaining its position at the forefront of semiconductor dicing and grinding.
- Mark Zuckerberg of Meta: Following a turbulent 2022, he focused on efficiency in 2023, leading Meta's ventures into generative AI after causing concerns with metaverse-related plans.
- Jensen Huang of Nvidia: Cementing Nvidia's role as a key supplier of chips powering the AI revolution, strategically investing in technology and acquisitions, particularly in AI chip development.
The evaluation of these executives goes beyond financial returns, considering employee satisfaction and company strategies. Zuckerberg faced low employee approval, potentially indicating challenges internally. Eli Lilly, while making efforts to address allegations of overcharging for insulin, faced legal repercussions affecting its reputation. Nubank's profitability was contrasted against losses in specific markets, potentially impacting future prospects. Ultimately, the article contends that Jensen Huang of Nvidia emerges as the top performer due to his foresight in investing in AI-related technologies and Nvidia's dominance in the specialist AI chip market, alongside high employee approval ratings.
This article provides a comprehensive view of corporate leadership, considering not only financial success but also employee sentiment and market strategies.


text: Global manufacturing powerhouse China's rise as the world's factory spanned over four decades and ushered in an era of globalization and integrated supply chains.But that facade started to crumble around 2018, after former President Donald Trump launched a trade war against the East Asian giant. This, in turn, has prompted investors to reassess their geopolitical risks.While some investors did move parts of their manufacturing facilities out of China at the time, it was really the pandemic — and China's zero-COVID policy — that drove home the importance of not depending on one country for manufacturing needs. The geopolitical tensions in themselves may not have resulted into this level of realignment of supply chains, but COVID certainly provided that extra vision extra fillip, the extra fuel to the fire, Ashutosh Sharma, a research director at market research firm Forrester, told Insider earlier in December.And the effects of the trade war continue to linger. President Joe Biden hasn't kiboshed the elevated tariffs Trump imposed on China — in fact, in October, he imposed export controls on shipping equipment to Chinese-owned factories making advanced logic chips. This further burdened an already strained relationship. To navigate this complicated web of US-China trade tensions, multinationals are now more than ever, looking to hedge their business risks.Here are five countries where China's supply chains are moving to instead. With it's vast lands and large, young population, India is a natural alternative to China as the world's factory.Particularly, since India's population is set to surpass China's to become the world's most populous country in 2023, the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs said in a July report.Tech giant Apple, for one, has already moved some of its iPhone production to the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and is exploring moving its iPad manufacturing to the South Asian nation as well. JP Morgan analysts expect Apple to move 5% of its iPhone 14 to India by the end of 2022, they wrote in a September note. They foresee that one in four iPhones will be made in India by 2025.India has a large labor pool, a long history of manufacturing, and government support for boosting industry and exports. Because of this, many are exploring whether Indian manufacturing is a viable alternative to China, Julie Gerdeman, the CEO of supply chain risk management platform Everstream, told Insider.However, the move is easier said than done.India's Prime Minister Modi has been working on attracting foreign direct investments, or FDI, since he took office in 2014, sending FDI to a record $83.6 billion in the last fiscal year, according to government data. But significant hurdles still exist — even though the Indian government is boosting its appeal to foreign investments, it's still harder to do business in the country than in China, in part due to bureaucracy, red tape, and multiple stakeholders that prolong decision-making.As a Communist country, Vietnam — like China — has also been undergoing rapid economic reforms since 1986.The reforms have yielded results, propelling Vietnam from one of the world's poorest nations to a middle-income economy in one generation, the World Bank said in a November 2022 post.In 2021, Vietnam attracted over $31.15 billion in foreign direct investment pledges — more than 9% higher from a year ago, according to the country's Ministry of Planning and Investment. About 60% of the investments went to the manufacturing and processing sector.Vietnam's key strengths are in the manufacturing of apparel, footwear, and electronics and electrical appliances.Aside from India, tech giant Apple has already moved some iPhone manufacturing to Vietnam and is also planning to move some of its MacBook production to the Southeast Asian nation.Other companies that have shifted some of their production lines out of China to Vietnam include Nike, Adidas, and Samsung.As Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, Thailand has been moving up the value chain in manufacturing and is a production hub for car parts, vehicles and electronics, with multinationals such as Sony and Sharp setting up shop here. Sony said in 2019 it was closing its Beijing smartphone plant in 2019 to cut costs and relocated some of the production to Thailand. Sharp said in the same year it was moving some of its printer production to Thailand due to the US-China trade war.It's not just international firms. Even China-based firms have relocated parts of their supply chain to Thailand. Companies producing solar panels such as Shanghai-based JinkoSolar are moving their production to Southeast Asian nation to take advantage of lower costs, and avoid gepolitical tensions, the South China Morning Post reported in July 2022.Setting up manufacturing plants abroad didn't come from [the pursuit of] opportunities, it is more of a strategy to deal with challenges to gain market access, Zhuang Yan, the president of Canadian Solar, said at an industry event in July, the SCMP reported. Foreign direct investments rose threefold to 455.3 billion Thai baht, or $13.1 million, between 2020 to 2021, Thailand's Board of Investment announced in February this year. Even before the COVID-19 lockdowns crippled China's manufacturing sector, Bangladesh has been a rising star in the garment manufacturing sector.Bangladesh's rise was primary due to rising labor costs in China pre-dating Trump's presidency.The cost difference is large — the average monthly salary of a worker in Bangladesh is $120 or less than one-fifth the $670 a factory worker takes home in the South China manufacturing hub of Guangzhou, Mostafiz Uddin, the owner of Bangladeshi apparel manufacturer Denim Expert, told Insider.Moreover, rising material costs is pushing apparel companies to look for alternative destinations like Bangladesh where production prices are comparatively low, Uddin said.Despite a high profile building collapse that killed at least 1,132 people in April 2013 and dented Bangladesh work safety reputation, its garment manufacturing industry is a key pillar of Bangladesh's economy, accounting for nearly 85% of shipments or over $42 billion of the country's exports in 2021. The country is also the world's second-largest garments exporter, after China.Bangladesh is now working to attracting investments beyond the garment sector, and is working to attract more investments into other sectors including pharmaceuticals and agriculture processing.Malaysia has been eyeing opportunities from the manufacturing shift out of China for the last few years. It has already made some headway with the efforts, as it has attracted at least 32 projects which have relocated from China to Malaysia, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority said in July 2020. The authority didn't provide specific details of the projects or of the companies that moved.However, even before the pandemic, tech investments into Malaysia had been rising due to lower labor costs and US-China trade tensions. Major deals over the last few years included a 1.5 billion Malaysian ringgit, or $339 million, investment by US chip giant Micron over five years starting from 2018. Jabil, a US company that makes iPhone covers, has also expanded its operations in Malaysia.We knew quite a number that have expressed their intention to shift from China and we have engaged them. The only thing is timing, Azman Mahmud, then CEO of Malaysian Investment Development Authority told the Malaysian Reserve media outlet in 2020.Malaysia's FDI inflows hit a five-year high of $48.1 billion in 2021, with manufacturing the electronics and vehicles being the main contributor, according to official government information.


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A first look one of the biggest footwear collabs this year.
Following last week’s announcement that Karl Lagerfeld would be collaborating with Vans on a capsule collection, the unlikely duo have just released the initial images of what you can expect come September 7th.
Keeping in line with the French designer’s penchant for all things monochrome, a selection of hoodies, t-shirts and a baseball cap have been given the Lagerfeld gloss alongside the sneaker brand’s iconic slip-ons which have replaced the familiar check pattern with the silhouette of Lagerfeld’s ponytail.
With a total of 12 pieces to hit both Karl’s and Van’swebsite on the release date, prices are set to land between the $40-$300 USD bracket. Most importantly, being a sneaker brand, Van’s have promised at least 6 footwear styles in total – win.


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THE Agricultural Mechanisation Department under the ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Breeding and Irrigation has been selling second hand tractors and ploughshares to Myanmar farmers for between K200,000 and K490,000 beginning from Friday, it has been learned from an official of the ministry. Farmers have the option to either pay by instalment or make an outright purchase.
Farmers who wish to buy tractors must have a letter of recommendation certifying that they are buying the tractor for genuine farm work. With the correct paperwork farmers can come directly to the tractor stations and make a purchase.
“The ministry expects to sell around 65 tractors after the first 100 day-project. A total of 50 tractors have already been sold, “said U Aung Zaw, director of the mechanical branch.
Payment for tractors can be made in three instalment within two years. The down payment is between K90,000 to K120,000 monthly. Tractor training courses are being conducted free of charge. Ploughshares are also being sold for between K170,000 and K1 million. The Department of Agricultural Mechanisation has invited tenders from Thailand , India and European nations.
Buyers can make enquires with the township or local division mechanical departments. They can also contact the following numbers: 067-431215/6, 431242, 431246 for the main office of the mechanical department (Naypyidaw).
Thant Zin Win