Business

Indonesia’s logistic industries have started digitalizing after pandemic pressure.

Published

3 years ago

29/07/2021

Going into a second year of mobility restrictions, whether government-mandated or self-imposed, Indonesians have come to rely more on online shopping.

Enhanced by e-commerce, logistics has become crucial blood vessels across this archipelago to keep it functioning under the new normal. After suffering from low efficiency for a long time, Indonesia’s logistics industry is in urgent need of transformation.

Ignatia Heidi, a 28-year-old marketer at a private bank in Jakarta, recently acquired nearly all her daily necessities online, especially after the implementation of restrictions on public activities since July 3, locally known as the PPKM.

Required to work from home for most of the week, Heidi has also reduced outdoor activities to minimize the risk of contracting the disease. “I won’t be able to maintain my life at home without ordering online once or twice a week. I bought everything online now, from food, vitamins, to detergents and shampoos,” she said.

Similar to Heidi, many people in Java, home to nearly 60 percent of the country’s population, flocked to e-commerce platforms. Today, couriers entering and leaving apartment complexes during lockdowns are a more frequent sight than the residents themselves.

Mahendra Riyanto, chairman of Indonesia Logistics Association, told Xinhua recently that the number of logistics orders for e-commerce goods in the country has increased by 30 to 40 percent during the pandemic.

“The pandemic has brought the development bonus of e-commerce in the next five years,” said Jonathan Zhong, CEO of J&T Cargo Indonesia.

In Asia Indonesia has the highest logistics, which takes up almost one quarter of the national gross domestic product. This is in contrast to developed economies, where the number is below 5 percent. The e-commerce boom during the pandemic has further exposed existing challenges in logistics, which include poor infrastructure, fragmented information and lack of technology, said Eric Dharma, vice president of Corporate Development of Waresix, a start-up trucking and warehousing platform in Indonesia.

According to a study last year conducted by one of Indonesia’s leading e-commerce platforms, Lazada, 65 percent of respondents from micro, small and medium enterprises that had not been digitalized stated that logistics was one of their biggest challenges.

Other islands suffer from even less efficient logistics than Java, resulting in price disparities.

“The prices of the same goods in different parts of Indonesia can be extremely different,” said Budi Handoko, COO and co-founder of a logistics aggregator Shipper. For example, instant noodles in Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost province, are a lot more expensive than in the capital.

This is where digital logistics management can step in and straighten things out, especially for a country of fragmented geography like Indonesia, said Handoko. The demand for a logistics system with higher cost efficiency is rather strong. And like Handoko, many have realized that digitalization is the solution.

“The silver lining is that the pandemic accelerated the digital push in the logistics industry,” said Riyanto.

Young and smart players in the industry have maintained fast-growing momentum during the pandemic by optimizing resource allocation. Digital platforms like Kargo, Ritase, Shipper and Waresix play as aggregators, offering end-to-end logistics solutions in which trucks, drivers and warehouses are selected by the system to match with shippers’ needs.

“We have over 50,000 trucks and over 400 warehouses across the country in our network. The system also helps to maximize their utility,” said Dharma.

As a Third-Party Logistics company, J&T Express owns an IT team of over 1,500 people to keep the technologies used throughout its operation updated. For Zhong, its IT team is decisive for improving efficiency.

In April, J&T Express launched its fastest “Super” service, which enables package delivery in the same city or across cities on the same day or the next day.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s leading e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada have been providing in-house delivery solutions in recent years to speed up the last-mile distribution from transit hubs to customers. In order to cut logistics costs, the Indonesian government established the National Logistics Ecosystem last September, which serves as a platform to record, simplify and finally speed up the originally paper-based process of goods moving from ports to warehouses.

Business

Economy thrives, projects speed ahead despite challenges

Published

1 day ago

18/04/2024

Before President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office, the economic condition of the Maldives was significantly deteriorating. Experts attribute the primary reason for the depreciation of the Maldivian currency to the excessive printing of money by the previous administration.

According to statistics from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), more than USD 518.04 million was printed over the last three consecutive years, marking a historic high compared to USD 388.53 million printed over 40 years.

Additionally, upon assuming office, President Muizzu inherited a heavy debt burden. The total debt amounted to over USD 7.71 billion, with a significant portion owed to companies for upcoming parliamentary elections and previously initiated projects, totaling USD 584.88 million.

Despite these challenges, President Muizzu has been proactive in rejuvenating the Maldives’ economic status. Within three months of his tenure, USD 35 million has been deposited into the sovereign development fund. The President estimates that more than USD 100 million will be deposited into the fund by the end of the year.

discontinuation of printing money has been regarded as a pivotal step towards economic progression for the Maldives

President Muizzu’s commitment to revitalizing the Maldivian economy without resorting to the printing of money is indeed a significant pledge. By discontinuing the practice of printing money, the government aims to address economic challenges while ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability.

The decision to immediately halt the printing of money upon assuming office underscores President Muizzu’s determination to prioritize sound monetary policy. This move reflects an acknowledgment of the risks associated with excessive money printing, including inflation and currency devaluation, and signals a commitment to addressing these challenges through prudent financial management.

Furthermore, President Muizzu’s plans to boost the country’s prosperity and income by reducing reliance on loans and settling debts owed to both foreign and domestic entities demonstrate a holistic approach to economic revitalization.

attracting a vast pool of investors

The efforts of the present administration to attract a wide range of investors reflect a strategic approach to addressing the significant development needs of the Maldives. By engaging in investment forums both domestically and abroad, the government has been successful in showcasing the diverse investment opportunities available in the country.

The decision to host investment forums in countries like China and the UAE demonstrates a proactive approach to international investment promotion. These forums serve as platforms for highlighting the potential for investment in key sectors such as infrastructure, tourism, and hospitality. By creating awareness about these opportunities, the government aims to attract investors who are interested in contributing to the development of critical projects, including the establishment of bridges, domestic airports, and resorts.

Over 500 projects underway

The continuation of 527 projects, including those that faced interruptions due to non-payment to companies during the government transition, underscores the commitment of President Muizzu’s administration to ensure continuity and progress in ongoing initiatives. Despite the challenges encountered, efforts have been made to address issues such as delayed payments and optimize project expenses to keep important projects on track.

It’s notable that the current year’s budget, initially approved by the prior administration, may not have fully aligned with President Muizzu’s priorities and rules for project implementation. This misalignment may have resulted in some projects not receiving adequate budget allocations or not being included in the budget at all. However, the administration has taken steps to optimize expenses and prioritize projects that align with President Muizzu’s vision for development

Initiatives to enhance economic growth and foster sustainable growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognized President Muizzu’s initiatives as some of the strongest implementations seen among world leaders, emphasizing their potential for substantial progression. The IMF applauded the government’s decision not to overdraw the government’s account and expressed its readiness to provide any assistance needed. This endorsement from the IMF underscores the effectiveness of President Muizzu’s economic policies and strategies.

Additionally, the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industries has voiced support for the government’s initiatives, recognizing them as favorable for the Maldivian future as a growing economy. Despite challenges such as a shortage of dollars for small businesses, the Chamber remains optimistic that the government’s decisive actions will lead to economic growth and stability in the value of the dollar.

The government has projected a 5.5 percent economic growth rate for this year, indicating confidence in the trajectory of the economy under President Muizzu’s leadership. Furthermore, President Muizzu revealed a significant reduction in the country’s primary debt balance, from USD 103.61 billion last year to USD 8.68 million in the current year. This reduction in debt, achieved within just four months, demonstrates the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and its ability to effectively manage the country’s finances.

Overall, these developments indicate that the government’s economic rejuvenation efforts have been successful, earning the confidence of global financial institutions in the Maldives’ future economic prospects.

Source(s): PsmNews

Business

Council to issue 14 plots in Hanimaadhoo for tourism development

Published

4 days ago

15/04/2024

Haa Dhaalu atoll Hanimaadhoo island council has announced a 50-year lease on 14 plots from the island for tourism development purposes.

In the announcement put on gazette by the council, it has opened bid opportunity for interested bidders to lease the plots from Hanimaadhoo’s tourism zone.

The council has announced lease of 5,000 square feet plots for a 50-year lease period, for which interested proponents are required to register for the bids before 13:00hrs on April 30th, 2024.

For proponents wishing to mail the bid registration form, they can mail it to info@hanimaadhoo.gov.mv.

Proponents must furnish a bid registration, non-refundable, fee of MVR 1,000 for the 5,000 square feet plots. If proponents wish to acquire more than one plot, then they must pay MVR 1,000 per plot.

If the council annuls the announcement, it said the registration fees will be refunded to the proponents, and added the proponents will receive bid books upon registration.

Bid acceptance and opening are scheduled for April 30th, 2024 as well.

While the Hanimaadhoo International Airport is under an expansion project, the island has been putting efforts to increase its local tourism activities as well.

During his last month visit to Hanimaadhoo, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said the airport’s expansion will contribute towards increased tourism activity in the island.

He also said sustainable development cannot be achieved without individual development of key regions which include Hanimaadhoo as well.

Source(s): sun.mv

Business

Maldives signs with Chinese firm for Laamu Integrated Maritime Hub Project

Published

1 week ago

12/04/2024

Agreements pertaining to the Laamu Integrated Maritime Hub Project have been signed with a Chinese company, aiming to accomplish the commitments made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The contract laying groundworks for this transformative endeavor was signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) Mohamed Wajeeh and the General Manager of CAMC Engineering Li Wei Wei.

Outlined within the agreement are details of six subprojects:

Launching offshore bunkering services
Developing a cruise terminal
Establishing a super yacht marina
Developing Gaadhoo as an Eco-resort
Establishing a facility to store regionally produced food items
Building a transshipment port

Providing insight into the developmental project, CEO Wajeeh underscored MPL’s ongoing efforts to secure a relevant market. He envisioned attracting international shipping lines to the transshipment port, anticipating a significant economic boost from even a single shipping line. Discussions are also underway with cruise operators to initiate cruise terminal operations.

MPL disclosed proposals from two companies to assist in providing bunkering services. While Vitol Bunkering, currently involved in developing bunkering facilities in Haa Alif Atoll, is one of them, the second company expressing interest hails from Dubai.

The establishment of a commercial port and a harbor including logistics is a commitment outlined in the governments’ manifesto.

Source(s): PsmNews