Procurement weekly March 12, 2010

Indonesia - The supply chain industry in Indonesia is rapidly developing, but there are still many challenges standing in the way of it achieving the standards its neighbours enjoy, says Kevin Burrell, president director of CEVA Logistics in Indonesia.

Thailand - Damco, the logistics arm of Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk have commenced warehousing, and distribution services at a new import and export logistics hub in Samrong, Bangkok.

Hong Kong - Cathay Pacific Group recorded a US$52.7 million operating profit in 2009, up from a US$369 million loss in 2008.

Asia - DHL Express Sri Lanka's opening of its Air-side Gateway Facility at Bandaranaike International Airport on Wednesday is expected to improve future consignment transit time by up to half a day.

China – Global football governing body Fifa suspended a Shanghai manufacturing plant’s contract over accusations that employees making the 2010 football World Cup mascot worked in sweatshop conditions.

China - China's second-largest sea-freight company, China Shipping, plans to buy several dry-bulk ships this year due to the increasing demand in Asia for iron ore and coal shipments.

Global – NATO will extend its anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia until the end of 2012, the alliance’s spokesman said.

Singapore - The successful candidate will support new country growth and expansion by establishing relationships with cost effective local manufacturers in the region.

US - IT giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) is accusing some Asian companies of selling patent-infringed inkjet cartridges and HP components stolen from manufacturing plants in Singapore and Malaysia.

Singapore - The employment outlook of Singapore's manufacturing sector shows a slight improvement in the second quarter of 2010, says the latest Manpower Employment Outlook survey.

India – The India logistics sector has the most attractive growth prospects compared to other developing markets, says a new emerging market logistics index.

Hong Kong – Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (HACTL) said it moved 180,033 tonnes in February, a 34.7% growth from the same month last year.

India - Air India, Kingfisher Xpress and Jet Airways said the lack of infrastructure and industrial knowledge was a stumbling block to their cargo business, despite expectations of air freight growing 20% in India by 2012.

Global – European aerospace giant and supplier to Airbus said troubles on the A400 pushed the company into the red.

Singapore – The successful candidate will provide the analysis and preparation of solution design work in support of the Contract Logistics Sales Process within the Singapore market

China - Supplies of lead from China will decline as the government raises environmental standards for plants, said Hunan Nonferrous Metals Holding Group (HNG).

India – Global logistics firm BDP International has its sights set on the India market with the launch of its new joint venture company there.

China - TNT's road distribution arm in China, TNT-Hoau has completed the extension of its day-definite road distribution network to six cities during the last two months.

Global - When American heiress Paris Hilton went to France for a short getaway with her boyfriend, she informed her followers on Twitter that she had left her Blackberry behind in a hurry. And the solution was simple – she FedExed the phone over to herself in France.

China - China's fifth-largest carrier, Shenzhen Airlines, has appointed a new president while the previous undergoes police investigation for alleged economic crimes.