Apart from increasing economic activity in both urban and rural areas, the government’s plan to tackle the unequal distribution of electricity across the country is set to drive demand for electricity.

The government aims to have all households connected to the nation’s electricity grids by 2025 and is executing an ambitious programme to add 35,000 megawatts in power generation capacity.

The lack of electricity infrastructure, such as grid and gas insulated switchgear (GIS), however, remains a big challenge facing the government in meeting the growing power need. This explains why developing the electricity infrastructure is part of the government’s priority programmes.

In developing electricity infrastructure, the government cannot work alone, as it does not have the necessary capacity, resources, experience and expertise. Therefore, finding the right partner is seen by experts as the best way for the government to proceed.

ABB, a Swedish-Swiss multinational corporation, pioneered GIS technology 50 years ago and continues to drive innovation in this space.

The company recently won an order to supply GIS to state-owned electricity company PLN.

The GIS technology will facilitate a reliable supply of electricity and can be safely operated in confined spaces and harsh environments, controlling the network and protecting it from power outages.

As part of the order, ABB will design, supply and commission 150-kilovolt (kV) GIS for 10 substations in the greater Jakarta area, Western Java, East Java and Sulawesi.

GIS technology provides a reliable solution with a compact footprint that requires up to 90 per cent less space compared to conventional air-insulated switchgear.

This enables substations to be built within urban areas where land is scarce and costly, while preserving the aesthetics of the cityscape.

“We are pleased to continue supporting the Indonesian government and PLN in their efforts to strengthen the grid and deliver reliable power to meet the country’s growing electricity needs,” said Claudio Facchin, president of ABB’s Power Grids division.

“We are committed to leveraging our best-in-class technologies and strong local presence to continue to grow with the country, as part of ABB’s Next Level strategy,” he added.

As a market and technology leader in high-voltage GIS technology, ABB offers ratings and applications from 72.5 kV to 1200 kV and has a global installed base of more than 30,000 bays.

ABB’s latest offering includes eco-efficient and digital capabilities.

ABB is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry, and transport and infrastructure globally.

Putting the spotlight of global fashion on batik, Oscar Lawalata, Denny Wirawan and Edward Hutabarat will present their creations at the June 6 opening, along with a historical exhibition of the unique Indonesian artform.

The show will run until June 12 and will feature a total of 24 batik designs from the designers.

Oscar Lawalata will showcase a collection of ready-to-wear cocktail dresses in warm tones, using methods such as embroidery and beading to spruce up the summer vibes.

“For me, when designing with batik, it must be at the forefront, as opposed to just the fabric for clothes,” Oscar said, adding that his collection would use batik from five areas of East Java: Madura, Surabaya, Ponorogo, Trenggalek and Tuban.

Meanwhile, Denny Wirawan will utilise the batik from Kudus in Central Java for his “Wedari” collection of evening wear, which was previously presented last September.

“Since many of the pieces are already sold out, I decided to create a new collection with a similar theme. This was done because of time constraints, as the batik-making process takes a lot of time,” Denny said, adding that the process was still ongoing.

Last but not least, senior designer Edward Hutabarat plans to unveil a collection of wedding gowns using batik from Pekalongan and Cirebon with an ocean-inspired ambiance.

Heritage exhibition

“My collection is fun. It is as if the bride is saying ‘I do’ with the ocean in front of her,” Edward said, noting that the batik wedding gowns would be accessorised with French summer flowers.

Along with the designers’ collections, the event will dedicate a section to exhibit batik from various locations as a heritage exhibition.

A total of 100 batik from various locations across Indonesia will be showcased, having been curated by Yayasan Batik Indonesia (YBI), Rumah Pesona Kain and Oscar Lawalata Culture.

A number of batik artisans will also be present to show the process of creating batik.

According to Oscar, the artisans will be brought in so that attendees from around the world can appreciate the painstakingly thorough process.

“Many people might see batik as a beautiful fabric just for its pattern, but batik is judged by its process. The exhibition will feature every part of the process, from the equipment to the techniques,” Oscar said.

Oscar, who is also the exhibition’s initiator, believes that batik is a luxury product and that the batik artisans are the stars of the show.

“We may not have the latest technology, but we have skilled hands that have continued to create to this day,” Oscar said.

“Batik has continued to evolve in Indonesia, from the contemporary to the traditional. Indonesians are proud to wear batik, but I think the world must know what happens in Indonesia.”

In tune with Oscar, Edward said batik was the beautiful remnant of a civilisation long gone and should be preserved and appreciated.

“I want to say to the public in France that Indonesia is the masterpiece of God. If you don’t believe me, visit Indonesia yourself,” Edward said.

Low quality and lack of internationally known brands remain the main barriers for Vietnamese tea in gaining a strong foothold in foreign markets.

Vietnam exported 34,000 tonnes of tea worth US$54 million (Bt1.7 billion) between January-April, a decrease of 10.2 per cent and 3.6 per cent, respectively, from the same period in 2017. The price of exported tea in the first quarter averaged $1,546 per tonne, up by 7.5 per cent year on year. The main buyers of Vietnamese tea during the reviewed period included Russia, Pakistan, Taiwan (China), Indonesia, the United States, China and Malaysia.

Pakistan continued to be Vietnam’s largest tea importer in terms of turnover. The country purchased 4,060 tonnes, or 16 per cent, of Vietnam’s total tea exports for a price of $8.45 million, down by 28.9 per cent in volume and 19.2 per cent in value. The decline is the result of a stricter regulation in Pakistan, which now requires an aflatoxin certificate for tea imports.

A similar situation unfolded with tea shipments to China and Taiwan, which have also applied stricter regulations.

Pakistan was followed by Russia, which imported over 4,170 tonnes of tea for $6.49 million, down by 8.4 per cent in volume, but up by 6.5 per cent in value, thanks to a 16.2 per cent increase in tea prices, bringing the average value to $1,556 per tonne.

According to experts, lower demand might have played a part in the fall of tea exports, but the main problems were that domestic exporters paid little attention to improving the quality of the tea, along with an absence of Vietnamese tea brands known internationally.

However, risks remain from potential election-related uncertainty and periodic jolts of protectionism now escalating trade disputes between the world’s largest trading nations.

The latest Cambodia Economic Update (CEU), launched on Thursday, said rising government spending and favourable global conditions, including robust demand in advanced economies, are expected to underpin Cambodia’s high growth trajectory.

“Investing in people is the best for a more prosperous future,” said Inguna Dobraja, the World Bank’s country manager for Cambodia.

“To maintain strong growth, it is essential that Cambodia invests more in education and skills training while addressing the constraints facing small and medium businesses”, he said. Risks remain, however, and they include erosion of export competitiveness due to rapidly rising real wages, a build-up of vulnerabilities from a prolonged real estate and construction boom, potential election-related uncertainty, and periodic jolts of protectionism and escalating trade disputes between the world’s largest trading countries, according to the report.

The report noted Cambodia can diversify growth and create more jobs by reducing the costs of company formalisation, operation and financing.

Tourism boost

Tourist arrivals accelerated to 11.8 per cent in 2017, compared with 5 per cent in 2016, thanks to the authorities’ efforts to establish more regional flights, including to China, an important market for tourism.

Sinan Thourn, president of Cambodian Tourism Federation and the chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), said the number of arriving tourists in the last four months of this year did not increase.

However, the quantity of Chinese tourists grew.

“If we look at the market share it is not like 2016 and 2017 [when tourism grew overall],” Thourn said. While he was optimistic over the upcoming elections, Sinan also expressed some concerns.

“I don’t have any pessimism the election will deter tourists,” he claimed, adding that, “we know the politicians in our country always fight each other, but it never effects the tourism sector; it is just normal”.

However, he expressed concerns if the EU or US were to take any action.

“What I am worried about is that the EU and US will look at Cambodia in a different way, or, if they put a travel ban on the Kingdom it will impact tourist arrivals,” he said. “However it is just a small factor as Chinese tourists now lead.”

While the report said the growth in the construction sector is an important driver of growth and a creator of jobs, it also recommends that Cambodia closely monitor the construction and real estate boom by developing macro-prudential policies to help reduce the scope for speculative activities.

The agriculture sector also rebounded, with the expansion of rice and rubber plantations and the gradual recovery of agricultural commodity prices, according to the report.

CamGo, the company behind a Phnom Penh ride-hailing app, last week announced a partnership agreement with the Indian motorcycle company TVS Motor that would provide TVS’s King model autorickshaws for use in the kingdom.

In the agreement, TVS will supply the three-wheeled vehicles to CamGo using local firm Three Wheel Motor Service Provider as an intermediary.

Ouk Chipsourn, CEO of Camgo, said at a press conference on Tuesday that his company has offered their service in Cambodia since 2016, with 5,000 users having downloaded their app in Phnom Penh.

While there are now 42 TVS King autorickshaws available for service in the capital city, Chipsourn said another 42 will arrive early next month, expanding the fleet to 84.

“With the agreement today, we expect that there will be 300 TVS tuk-tuks available for operation before the end of this year,” he said, adding that the service will expand beyond Phnom Penh to other tourism destinations, including Siem Reap, Kampot, and Preah Sihanouk provinces. – The Phnom Penh Post

Indonesia eyes Indian tourists visiting Malaysia, Singapore

The government has said it is aiming to lure Indian tourists who regularly visit Malaysia and Singapore, given the limited number of direct flights between India and Indonesia.

India is seen as a potentially major market that can help the government realise its ambition of welcoming 17 million foreign tourists this year, said Tourism Ministry marketing deputy II Nia Niscaya on Friday.

This year, the government has set a |target of 700,000 tourists from India, up |from 485,000 Indian tourist arrivals last |year. “The target of 700,000 [Indian] tourists can’t be reached only through direct flights. We have to work with others or we use Malaysia and Singapore as hubs,” Nia said.

Currently, only national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia serves direct flights from Mumbai to Denpasar.

Nia said the government had to cooperate with local and foreign agents to attract Indian tourists who visit Singapore and Malaysia in order to encourage them to continue their holiday in Indonesia. – The Jakarta Post

Yangon workforce capacity enough for businesses

The Yangon Region has a sizeable workforce to cater to businesses, as 64 per cent of the population of over 6 million is able to work, said Union Minister for Planning and Finance Kyaw Win.

“So we can assume we have an adequate workforce for businesses in the region,” said the minister.

Being a commercial capital, Yangon is playing a key role in developing the national economy, he said. As Yangon used to be the capital of Myanmar, it also has the largest per capita income. It is blessed with coastal areas and river routes, contributing to international trade.

According to released figures, up to March this year 49 countries had invested in 1,470 projects worth US$76.08 billion (Bt2.42 trillion) in 11 sectors. The largest investment went to the oil and gas production sector at 29.48 per cent with the energy sector getting 27.62 per cent.

The minister praised the Yangon Region Investment Committee for its performance in attracting investments. In the previous 2017-2018 fiscal year, Myanmar Investment Commission approved a total foreign investment of $6.119 billion, exceeding the year’s $6-billion target for project investments under a long-term plan.

Yangon Region represents 23 per cent of the country’s GDP and its annual economic growth rate is 9.2 per cent. – Eleven Media Group

Indonesian government to sell all shares in Bank Bukopin

The Indonesian government plans to sell its entire 11.43 per cent share in publicly listed lender Bank Bukopin through a rights issue planned for June or July this year.

The release of the minority shares would, however, be dependent on the market price, according to the state-owned Enterprises Ministry’s deputy for business restructuring and development, Aloysius Kiik Ro. “We will sell the shares if the market price is reasonable,” said Aloysius, as reported by kontan.co.id.

Previously, a number of potential investors, including Kookmin Bank of South Korea and CVC Capital Partners, were reportedly interested in taking part in the rights issue process.

Meanwhile, Bosowa Corporindo, a majority holder of Bank Bukopin’s shares, said in the prospectus issued on April 7 that it would execute its rights to buy the government’s shares during the rights issue process.

Bank Bukopin’s president and director Eko Rachmansyah Gindo said the bank had implemented the first filing to the Financial Service Authority. “We will continue with the process, including the clarification and submission of other required data,” Eko said, adding that potential investors had entered into the due diligence process and could become standby buyers in the rights issue process. The majority of Bank Bukopin’s shares are owned by the public (40.48 per cent), followed by PT Bosowa Corporindo (30 per cent), Kopelindo (18.09 per cent) and the government (11.43 per cent). – The Jakarta Post

Singapore retail sales drop 1.5% in March, as car sales slump

Retail sales in Singapore dropped 1.5 per cent in March from a year ago, reversing the Chinese New Year-fuelled 8.6 per cent jump seen in February, as car sales continued to slump.

Excluding motor vehicles, takings at the till rose 2.6 per cent, according to Singapore Department of Statistics data released on May 11.

The total retail sales value in March was estimated at $3.8 billion (Bt93 billion), of which online sales contributed about 4.1 per cent.

Auto sales fell 16.1 per cent year-on-year, after a 17.5 per cent drop in February, with sales of both new and used cars affected.

But most other retail sectors enjoyed higher sales in March. Among these, the highest sales growth was registered by department stores at 9.1 per cent. Sales increases were also reported for the food retailers (7.5 per cent), medical goods and toiletries (6.2 per cent), apparel and footwear (5.0 per cent) and watches and jewellery (5.0 per cent).

However, sales of computer and telecommunications equipment fell by 8.0 per cent, with smaller declines for optical goods and books, and min-marts and convenience stores.

On a month-on-month basis, retail sales increased 2.3 per cent in March over February. But without vehicle sales, they rose 1.1 per cent.

Most retail industries recorded sales growth compared to the previous month, based on seasonally adjusted data. Higher sales were recorded for vehicles (10 per cent), food retailers (9.4 per cent), department stores (9.2 per cent) and furniture & household equipment (5.4 per cent).

On the other hand, lower sales were suffered by apparel and footwear (-6.1 per cent), petrol service stations (-2.3 per cent), and medical good and toiletries (-1.6 per cent). – The Straits Times

Vietnam pepper output increases sharply but prices fall

Output and export of pepper increased sharply last year in Vietnam, but their prices and thus turnover from exports fell, according to the industry association. The Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA) and industry-related authorities attended a meeting on Friday in HCM City to review last year’s performance.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the General Statistic Office, Vietnam has around 150,000 hectares under pepper, and output last year was 240,000 tonnes, or 48 per cent of global production.

According to the VPA there was a decrease in the use of pesticides last year since farmers are more aware these days of better farming techniques. Prices have been highly volatile: the price of black pepper for instance declined from 133,000 dong (Bt186.5) per kilogram in January to 73,000 (Bt102.3) in December.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs said 215,000 tonnes of the spice were exported for US$1.1 billion (Bt35 billion), respectively up 20 per cent and down 22 per cent. The reasons for the falling prices include climate change, a massive spike in the area under pepper, and farmers’ inexperience, which have contributed to rising outputs but with poor quality. In the first quarter of this year prices were around 30 per cent lower than a year ago, the VPA said. VPA plans to work more closely with farmers and businesses to help them comply with regulations and standards for pepper production and export and to provide market information. – Viet Nam News