Highlights:
- Malaysia and Singapore look forward to bringing RTS link project to fruition
- DHL eCommerce and Kasemchaifood hatches new plan to deliver farm fresh eggs direct to consumers within 24 hours
- Alibaba delivers 61 per cent growth in revenue amid increased New Retail investment
Malaysia and Singapore look forward to bringing RTS link project to fruition
Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic) and his Singapore counterpart Khaw Boon Wan met in Kuala Lumpur today where they discussed a broad range of transport issues. Singapore’s Ministry of Transport said these include the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link project and the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) Tebrau shuttle service. “The ministers look forward to strengthening transport collaboration, and to bring the RTS Link Project to fruition, which will ease congestion at our existing land checkpoints,” said an MOT spokesperson. The RTS link, which could reduce congestion on the Causeway by up to 15 per cent, was scheduled to be completed by 2024. But the deadline to form a joint venture company to operate the RTS was missed earlier this year, amid uncertainty over the project as the new Malaysian government reviewed agreements signed by the previous administration. Last month, Mr Loke said that the Malaysian government remains committed to implementing the RTS project, and that a working paper on the project will be presented to the Cabinet soon for approval.
DHL eCommerce and Kasemchaifood hatches new plan to deliver farm fresh eggs direct to consumers within 24 hours
DHL eCommerce has enabled Kasemchaifood, one of Thailand’s major egg producers, to deliver fresh eggs directly to consumers within 24 hours through e-commerce channels. Leveraging DHL eCommerce’s nationwide delivery network in Thailand, Kasemchaifood has expanded their traditionally B2B wholesale business model to now include online selling, bringing a truly farm fresh product more conveniently to consumers in Thailand. The Thai egg market is led by a traditionally wholesale model with farm producers supplying major local wholesale markets, grocers and supermarkets and normally taking about 3 to 7 days for a batch of eggs to pass down the supply chain. The market players would also require a sizable minimum order quantity to make a delivery happen. By selling online, Kasemchaifood will now be able to deliver eggs fresher through DHL eCommerce’s delivery network to reach the end consumer within 24 hours. DHL eCommerce worked with Kasemchaifood to design and test shipping packages with protective and shock-resistant packaging. DHL eCommerce Thailand also enabled a last-mile delivery technology platform for Kasemchaifood, making it possible for consumers to track their deliveries from farm to table.
Alibaba delivers 61 per cent growth in revenue amid increased New Retail investment
Alibaba Group Holding reported revenue growth of 61 per cent for the quarter ended June 30, as it continued to step up investment in on-demand local services and other businesses under its “New Retail” initiative. The New York-listed company’s revenue reached 80.9 billion yuan (US$11.8 billion), up from 50.18 billion yuan the same time last year, according to a statement. That compared to Bloomberg consensus estimate for 80.88 billion yuan. “Alibaba had another excellent quarter, with significant user expansion and even more robust engagement across our growing ecosystem,” Daniel Zhang, Alibaba Group chief executive, said in the statement. “We will continue to invest in strategic business opportunities and innovation to sustain our competitive advantages and for long-term growth.” The Hangzhou-based e-commerce giant’s increased investments show its efforts to expand operations overseas and bolster its New Retail strategy, which refers to the integration of online and offline experiences for consumers, be it shopping, food delivery or buying groceries. Those investments are being made in the face of increased competition on multiple fronts in China, where its ecosystem of services rival those of Tencent Holdings and Baidu. Alibaba has recently sharpened its focus on mainland China’s burgeoning on-demand local services market. It is investing in on-demand local services as a way to increase user engagement. By integrating delivery services with everything from merchants on its Taobao Marketplace and Tmall shopping platforms to meals, groceries and pharmacy services, Alibaba can push more of its ecosystem of products and services to users, as well as widen the use of its Alipay payments channel under Ant Financial.
