Bangkok--22 Dec--Hill & Knowlton
ASEAN nations should grow high-value exports and reassess strategies to further strengthen their economies: EIU report DHL-funded study part of its commitment to enhance trade facilitation role
DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, today revealed the findings of a study commissioned to Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) at the 4th ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2006 (ASEAN-BIS). The study, entitled “ASEAN Exports: Today, Tomorrow and the High-value Challenge”, aimed to analyze where ASEAN countries stand today in relation to China and India, and how they measure up as a trade bloc, in terms of high value exports, against the European Union (EU) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The EIU study focused on the seven largest economies within the ASEAN trade bloc: Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Myanmar, or otherwise termed as ‘ASEAN 7’ in the study. It examined the state of the exports in these countries by breaking down the exports into two export categories: high value goods and low value goods.
The study differentiates between high value (such as computer chips) and low value (such as T-shirts) exports in that better skilled, less physically demanding and more technological advanced jobs are required for the former. High-value goods also provide greater scope for companies to expand into areas of greater value production, which in turn will develop the economy as a whole.
“ASEAN 7 has been a successful exporter of high-value goods, based on the study which shows their High Value Export Indicator reflecting 51.3 per cent, trailing slightly behind NAFTA at 54 percent,” said Scott Price, CEO, DHL Express - Asia Pacific. “As a trade facilitator in this region, we are confident that the study not only provides insightful information to ASEAN governments and policies makers on the state and performance of their exports sector, particularly high-value goods, but also offers recommendations on how to overcome challenges that are being faced by the ASEAN trading bloc.”
One of the key findings states that China had not only outpaced ASEAN in high-value exports as early as 2003, but it has also overtaken ASEAN as the biggest exporter in Asia since 2004. Against this backdrop, ASEAN governments would have to review their trade policies in comparison with China and in meeting the challenges ahead.
The report recommends that ASEAN trade bloc encourages ongoing economic restructuring, principally to drive up productivity, raise technological know-how and facilitate entry into new industries in the high-value goods export category. Other considerations for the future include harmonizing trade and customs procedures to further encourage growth in high-value exports.
“A number of our clients are from the high-value industries category and DHL is further committed to work with ASEAN governments, policy makers and businesses to realise the potential of their high-value goods category and to ensure that our clients continue to grow in this region,” Mr. Price noted.
He added, “We are confident that the insights provided by the study will help this trade bloc to recognize the challenges they face in their export industries, and thereby encourage them to re-assess strategies based on recommendations so that they can meet and rise above the challenges.”
The release of the study is timed to coincide with ASEAN-BIS, a premier business and networking event that DHL has been a key sponsor of over the last years. Mr. Price is speaking on day one of the summit, currently taking place in Cebu Philippines, on ASEAN’s place in the global supply chain.
DHL is committed to reducing the complexity, risks and costs of intra- and international trade within and across the Asia Pacific, and beyond. The firm has gone beyond offering businesses with reliable and comprehensive international shipping services, to providing them with specially commissioned studies that look at both trade and logistics trends, issues and challenges. In 2004, it commissioned McKinsey to study the implications for
Asia’s garment exporting economies, particularly India, before the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Multi Fibre Agreement.(MFA) quotas restriction on apparel exports ended in early 2005.
DHL has also been a strong advocate for easing customs clearance, among other trade facilitation activities. In Vietnam, DHL Express was the first Air Express operator to have dedicated customs clearance capability on Sundays. This is considered a great achievement especially in an environment such as Vietnam where weekend customs clearance operations were never performed for cargo or express operators. In Indonesia, with the positive support from customs in and outside of Jakarta, DHL took advantage of the regional autonomy legislated by the central government in 1998 to take deliberate steps to open gateways (points to carry out import and export processes) in major Indonesian cities to ease customs clearance and shorten processing time.
DHL has taken a stake in working closely with governments and the industry to reform trading and other policies so that ASEAN will successfully and progressively move up the export value chain.
DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.
DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. Over 285,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations.
DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. The group generated revenues of ?45 billion in 2005.
About DHL Thailand
DHL Thailand offers customers a comprehensive range of logistics solutions through three business units: DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Exel Supply Chain. Customers can enjoy the convenience of one-stop-shop service, from shipping documents to containers, delivered by 1,700 DHL staff. With over 20 locations around Thailand, DHL’s services cover 76 provinces in the country. For further information, please visit our website at http://www.dhl.co.th
DHL Commissioned Research Reports
Asia Pacific
2006
ASEAN Exports - Today, Tomorrow and the High-value challenge
By Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), December 2006
- The report examined the state of ASEAN’s exports and assessed the challenges ahead
11th Annual Third-Party Logistics Study
In collaboration with Georgia Institute of Technology and Capgemini, October 2006
- The 11th Annual study provided a strategic assessment of the use of 3PLs across several key geographies and major industry segments and offered insight into the future of the 3PL industry
Service Parts Logistics in China
A joint effort by DHL and China Supply Chain Council, commissioned to Barkawi Management Consultants, May 2006
- The study looked at current market requirements in China to identify trends and developments and future issues facing OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), logistics and repair service providers.
DHL India Trade Outlook Report
By Dun & Bradstreet India, 2006
- The report is a comprehensive monthly report that measures the economic and trade scenario in India
DHL Trade Confidence Index
By Indica Research, Oct 2006
- A quarterly trade confidence index amongst exporters in India.
DHL Export Barometer for Australia
By ACA Research, May 2006
- The biannual DHL Export Barometer developed in consultation with Austrade is an initiative aimed at analysing export confidence in Australia and identifying export trends
DHL Export Barometer for New Zealand
By ACA Research, May 2006
- The biannual DHL Export Barometer developed in consultation with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is an initiative aimed at analysing export confidence in New Zealand and identifying export trends
2005
Disaster-response management - going the last mile
By Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), November 2005
- The study focused on last-mile logistics during natural disaster relief operations for tsunami affected areas in Thailand and Indonesia
10th Annual Third-Party Logistics Study
In collaboration with Georgia Institute of Technology and Capgemini, November 2005
- The 10th Annual study provided a strategic assessment of the use of 3PLs across several key geographies and major industry segments and offered insight into the future of the 3PL industry
Opportunities and Challenges as the Garment Quota System Ends
A joint study report by DHL and the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), August 2005
- The report provided an intensive look at the removal of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA) and its global garment quota, its impact on the local industry, and possible trends in the future
DHL India Trade Outlook Report developed
By Dun & Bradstreet India, 2005
- The report is a comprehensive monthly report that measures the economic and trade scenario in India.
DHL Export Barometer for Australia
By ACA Research, May and November 2005
- The biannual DHL Export Barometer developed in consultation with Austrade is an initiative aimed at analysing export confidence in Australia and identifying export trends
DHL Export Barometer for New Zealand
By ACA Research, May and November 2005
- The biannual DHL Export Barometer developed in consultation with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is an initiative aimed at analysing export confidence in New Zealand and identifying export trends
2004
The end of Multi Fibre Agreement quotas — Challenges and Opportunities for India
By McKinsey, April 2004
- The report focused on the challenges and opportunities arising from the removal of quota restrictions for Asian companies and governments, and their logistics needs
Multinational Companies in China,
By Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), April 2004
- The report provided a balanced, insightful and authoritative research report on what makes multinational companies operating in China successful, or otherwise
Supply chain study on companies across five sectors in four Pearl River Delta cities
By the Chinese University’s Center of Cyber Logistics, November 2004
- The report was an intensive study of 25 companies across five sectors in four PRD cities on how they can take better advantage of logistics services that would improve the reliability of the supply chain, aid efficiency, and reduce costs
DHL Export Barometer for Australia
By ACA Research, May and November 2004
- The biannual DHL Export Barometer developed in consultation with Austrade is an initiative aimed at analysing export confidence in Australia and identifying export trends
DHL Export Barometer for New Zealand
By ACA Research, May and November 2004
- The biannual DHL Export Barometer developed in consultation with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is an initiative aimed at analysing export confidence in New Zealand and identifying export trends
Press contact:
Ms. Piyalak DHL Express International (Thailand) Ltd.
Tel: 0-2345-5602 Fax: 0-2285-5732 Email: [email protected]
Ms. Dutduan or Ms. Visa
Hill & Knowlton Thailand
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