DHL Express has significantly strengthened its aviation network and ground facilities across the Asia Pacific region over the past year, addressing rising global trade demands and the rapid growth of e-commerce. Comparing the first three quarters of 2023 and 2024, the company moved 6% more shipments between Asia Pacific and the rest of the world, underscoring the region’s growing importance in international trade. Ken Lee, CEO of Asia Pacific, DHL Express, attributed this growth to the diversification of global supply chains, structural economic shifts, and booming e-commerce activities. “Thanks to our forward planning, we are well-positioned to respond to these…

The Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports) successfully organised the Saudi-Iraqi Trade Mission in Jeddah today as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the global competitiveness of Saudi products and increase regional market presence. The event, which aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, brought together 55 companies from Saudi Arabia and Iraq, alongside key institutions such as the Saudi Export-Import (EXIM) Bank and the National Bank of Iraq. The initiative aims to strengthen economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, foster bilateral trade growth, and provide Saudi exporters with direct opportunities to enter and expand in the Iraqi market.…

The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), a state-run think tank, has urged the government to prioritise EV exports as a key strategy to maximise economic benefits and address challenges in transitioning to EVs domestically. In a policy advisory, PIDE recommended targeting the export of 10% of all EVs and 5% of auto parts produced in Pakistan by 2030, with an ambitious goal of exporting 50% of both by 2040. This proposal aligns with the Prime Minister’s recent directives to establish a robust EV policy aimed at reducing reliance on imported oil, improving the current account balance, and contributing to…

Uzbekistan dispatched its first container train to Brazil on December 11. The train, loaded with 54 forty-foot containers, each carrying 28 tons of urea, departed from the First Dry Port Terminal (FDP) in Tashkent. This marks a significant milestone in Uzbekistan’s logistics and export capabilities. The train’s journey will span multiple countries, traveling through Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia before reaching the port of Poti. From there, the containers will be shipped via sea to Paranaguá Port in Brazil. The entire delivery process is estimated to take between 60 and 70 days, with the land route covering approximately 20 days…

The potential devaluation of China’s yuan in 2025 has become a focal point for economists and policymakers, given its implications for global trade and economies like India. Currency devaluation, a strategic economic tool, can profoundly affect export competitiveness and trade balances, creating both opportunities and challenges. Why Devaluation Matters Devaluing a currency reduces its value relative to others, making exports cheaper and more attractive to international buyers. For example, if the yuan depreciates against the US dollar, Chinese products become more affordable in dollar-denominated markets, potentially boosting export volumes. However, this strategy also increases import costs, potentially driving inflation and…

ILO-Jordan ink a landmark three-year agreement to strengthen cooperative societies and promote decent work. This partnership aims to enhance the cooperative sector in Jordan by leveraging ILO tools, training programmes, and the introduction of digital services. The agreement was formalised during a ceremony held under the patronage of Jordan’s Minister of Agriculture, Khaled Al-Hunaifat, and attended by ILO Deputy Director-General Celeste Drake, Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat, and the Netherlands’ Ambassador to Jordan, Harry Verweij. Minister Al-Hunaifat remarked, “Last week, the government presented the proposed cooperative law with an integrated approach, including training and the empowerment of cooperatives,…

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has suggested leveraging the province’s powerful liquor control board to counter potential tariffs from the United States, marking an escalation in Canada-US trade tensions. Doug Ford, leader of Canada’s most populous province, said earlier this week that Ontario could halt electricity exports to US states such as Michigan, New York, and Minnesota if tariffs promised by former US President Donald Trump materialise. Ford is now also exploring the possibility of instructing the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) – the largest alcohol purchaser globally, with annual revenues exceeding C$7 billion – to stop buying American-made liquor…

China’s burgeoning pet ownership, coupled with a preference for U.S.-made pet food, presents significant opportunities for American pet food manufacturers to expand in the global market, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) report, ‘China: Pet Food Market Update 2024.’ China’s pet consumer market reached $41.9 billion in 2024, a 7.5% increase from 2023. Pet food remains the largest segment, comprising 52.8% of all pet-related consumption. The U.S. holds a dominant position as the leading supplier, accounting for over 69% of China’s imported pet food market. Despite opportunities, manufacturers must navigate evolving consumer trends to…

The Chinese government reaffirmed its commitment to promoting legitimate international trade in the civil drone sector while opposing the misuse of such technology for non-peaceful purposes, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday. He Yadong, a spokesman for the ministry, emphasized during a weekly briefing that China remains resolute in fulfilling international non-proliferation obligations. This approach, he stated, enhances the safety and stability of global production and supply chains. “The government strictly controls the export of all dual-use items, including drones, in accordance with laws and regulations,” He said. Dual-use items refer to goods, technologies, and services applicable for both…

Global food insecurity has risen sharply in recent years, eroding decades of progress in combating hunger. According to a new UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report released on December 12, over 280 million people face acute food insecurity, a situation that endangers lives. Additionally, 713 million people grapple with chronic food insecurity, a number that has grown by 150 million since 2019. Without immediate global action, 582 million people could experience chronic hunger by 2030. Root Causes of Food Insecurity The primary drivers of acute food insecurity include socioeconomic shocks, poverty, inequality, armed conflict, and the escalating effects of climate…