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Raimon Land’s latest addition to its market-leading portfolio of developments maintains the Company’s longstanding balance of high-end quality and blue-sky innovation
THAILAND’S PREMIER
Real Estate Developer KPMG GLOBAL HEALTH 16
China unveils ambitious plans to reform its healthcare system
CHINA’S PROPERTY MIGRATION 20
Diminishing domestic opportunity pushes investors towards Europe
EDOTCO GROUP 36 Upholding a proactive attitude toward energy efficiency
EDMI LTD 50 Reacting to the needs of energy customers globally
ASIA OUTLOOK ISSUE 19 A L S O F E A T U R I N G : E X X O N M O B I L | W O R L D R E T A I L C O N G R E S S | M I F B 2 0 1 6
As a business with more than 4 decades of heritage since its incorporation in 1970, Sinbor Company (Private) Limited aims to provide interior and exterior finishing products for a wide range of residential and commercial applications. Supply and Installation of Natural Stone Although natural stone can be easily sourced from all over the world today, what counts is whether your supplier and installer can deliver the right finished quality for each living room and bathroom in your project. At Sinbor, we understand the risks of natural stone. We have the warehouse facilities and technical knowledge to achieve your desired outcome. Supply and installation of Engineered Wood There are many wood products on the market which are installed in the home. However, many of these have been manufactured with chemicals such as formaldehyde and solvents without consideration of health risks over a period of time. Our European engineered wood products are made specifically with health and safety in mind, complying to European regulations in force on the use of such chemicals. Supply and installation of Speciality Mosaics Mosaics can dramatically enhance the ambience of a space, whether it is a bathroom, a living room, a swimming pool, common public spaces in shopping malls, hotel lobbies or public transport stations and even in places of worship. We can provide custom designs using speciality mosaics ranging from simple mixes to complex murals. Supply of Bathroom Wares, Fittings and Accessories Sinbor is a distributor for Kohler and Damixa products in Singapore. We provide a wide range of water closets, basins, bathtubs, jacuzzis, mixers, fittings and accessories for residential and commercial applications.
T: +65 6257 3384 F: +65 6257 2534 www.sinbor.com
W E L C O M E New Year, New China In the spirit of Chinese New Year, 2016’s first edition of Asia Outlook complements the always extensive Raimon Land’s latest addition to its company profile assortment with market-leading portfolio of developments maintains the Company’s longstanding a cross-sector analysis of how the balance of high-end quality and blue-sky innovation world’s most populous nation is using industry as a driver behind economic evolution. No longer placed on a pedestal THAILAND’S PREMIER for technological, engineering and business breakthroughs, there has long been a view among international analysts that the country was in need of a more flexible approach to new ideologies and initiatives, and we have taken the opportunity this month to look at two instances where this more embracing ethos is gaining momentum. A 2020 vision of a ‘healthier China’ kicks-off proceedings via an interview with KPMG Chairman, Mark Britnell. He believes that China’s leaders have been keen to learn from the best globally in creating its model for a new health system, which is designed to provide universal healthcare access and treatment for all by 2020. From a construction perspective, Keith Breslauer, Managing Director of Patron Capitol provides a similarly international analysis of China’s real estate market; changes in the sector promising to create a more widespread vision when it comes to portfolio diversification and European investments, in particular. Construction is where we begin our journey through the bimonthly industry elite too; experiencing the high life that Raimon Land brings to domestic and foreign customers alike in Thailand’s most developed regions. Having completed 12 residential properties over the past 12 years - amounting to a total project value of US$1.3 billion - the Company is in the process of unveiling its latest addition to the Lofts portfolio; the 45-storey, 200 metre high, industrial chic condominium, Lofts Asoke. Elsewhere, we follow on from last edition’s focus on edotco Group with an additional foray into its vision for a digitised Bangladesh, and we also explore how EDMI plans to bring its latest advanced smart technology solutions to Matthew Staff an increasing number of customers. Editorial Director, Outlook Publishing Enjoy the issue!
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Real Estate Developer KPMG GLOBAL HEALTH 16
China unveils ambitious plans to reform its healthcare system
CHINA’S PROPERTY MIGRATION 20
Diminishing domestic opportunity pushes investors towards Europe
EDOTCO GROUP 36 Upholding a proactive attitude toward energy efficiency
EDMI LTD 50 Reacting to the needs of energy customers globally
ASIA OUTLOOK ISSUE 19 A L S O F E A T U R I N G : E X X O N M O B I L | W O R L D R E T A I L C O N G R E S S | M I F B 2 0 1 6
EDITORIAL Editorial Director: Matthew Staff matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com Deputy Editor: Emily Jarvis emily.jarvis@outlookpublishing.com
PRODUCTION Production Manager: Daniel George daniel.george@outlookpublishing.com Art Director: Stephen Giles steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com Advert Designer: Mandy Farnell mandy.farnell@outlookpublishing.com Images: Thinkstock by Getty Images
BUSINESS Sales Director: Nick Norris nick.norris@outlookpublishing.com Operations Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outlookpublishing.com Sales Managers: Eddie Clinton eddie.clinton@outlookpublishing.com Tom Cullum tom.cullum@outlookpublishing.com Heads of Projects: Arron Rampling arron.rampling@outlookpublishing.com Donovan Smith donovan.smith@outlookpublishing.com Project Manager: Callum Philp callum.philp@outlookpublishing.com
ADMINISTRATION Finance Director: Suzanne Welsh suzanne.welsh@outlookpublishing.com Admin Assistant: Sophia Curran sophia.curran@outlookpublishing.com Office Manager: Katie Park katie.park@outlookpublishing.com Web Design: Hamit Saka IT: James Le-May
OUTLOOK PUBLISHING Managing Director: Ben Weaver ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com Chairman: Mark Weaver Contact: Outlook Publishing Ltd Woburn House, 84 St Benedicts Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 4AB, United Kingdom Sales: +44 (0) 1603 959 652 Editorial: +44 (0) 1603 959 655 SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 655 matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com
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In this issue of Asia Outlook...
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NEWS
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LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS LNG Puts PNG on the Map
All the latest top stories across the month from Asia
ExxonMobil and Total are thriving as part of PNG’s welloiled machine
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KPMG GLOBAL HEALTH The Pursuit of Healthy China 2020
China unveils ambitious plans to reform its healthcare system
S E C T O R F O C U S
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CONSTRUCTION China’s Property Migration
Diminishing domestic opportunity pushes investors towards Europe
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SHOWCASING LEADING COMPANIES Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world
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Reacting to the needs of energy customers globally
C O N S T R U C T I O N
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EDMI LTD Aligning with Global Smart Energy Ideologies
RAIMON LAND PLC The Intersection of Life and Artistry
Bringing Manhattan-style loft living to the heart of Bangkok
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EDOTCO GROUP Enabling Connectivity for the Future Upholding a proactive attitude toward energy efficiency
E V E N T F O C U S
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WORLD RETAIL CONGRESS
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MIFB 2016
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ISLAMIC BANKING & INVESTMENT ASIA/MIDDLE EAST CONGRESS
Attracting and engaging the modern customer Malaysia’s longest-running food industry event presents a new horizon of food & beverage business
Responding to headwinds and refreshing the vision for Islamic finance
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Risk of China Slowdown Offsets Optimism About Indian Logistics Industry According to a new survey, executives cite China, oil prices and the possibility of economic “shock” as leading concerns for this year, with India emerging as the market with the most potential Supply chain industry executives see a slowing China and fluctuating oil prices as the top threats to emerging market growth in 2016, and are braced for more volatility in the global economy. In a new survey of more than 1,100 global logistics and supply chain executives, respondents identified the possibility of an ‘economic shock’ as the leading risk for the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting concern that a slowing China could have a ripple effect on the region.
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The survey is part of the 2016 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, which provides a snapshot of logistics industry sentiment and ranks the world’s 45 leading emerging markets based on their size, business conditions, infrastructure and other factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, air cargo carriers and distributors. “The region’s worries about China are understandable. Other countries fear a slowing China means a weaker
currency that will hurt their competitiveness. At the same time, China’s suppliers – from mines in Africa to component makers in Asia – are concerned that demand for their products could fall significantly,” said Chris Price, CEO of Asia-Pacific for Agility Global Integrated Logistics. In past Index surveys, logistics professionals identified natural disasters and corruption as the top threats in Asia. This time, 54.8 percent of executives say China’s economy faces major hurdles over the next two or three years. Nearly 40 percent say they are reassessing their China strategy as a result. Sluggishness in the Chinese economy has prompted 22 percent to re-examine their overall emerging markets strategy. For the first time, supply chain professionals surveyed see India rather than China - as the emerging market with the most growth potential. And in the overall Index rankings, which are based on economic and social data, India climbed two spots to number three, behind only China and United Arab Emirates (UAE), amid strong economic performance and an initial round of reforms launched by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It was a volatile year for emerging markets, and you see that in the Index. Eight of the top 10 emerging markets shifted places,” said Essa Al-Saleh, President and CEO of Agility Global Integrated Logistics. “Despite the turbulence, the fundamentals driving growth remain consistent, a rising middle class with spending power, progress in poverty reduction, growing populations. That’s why we are still positive on the outlook for emerging markets and see them driving global growth.”
GO TO WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM/NEWS FOR ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS FROM ASIA
E X H I B I T I O N S
The Countdown to ELECRAMA 2016 Begins ELECRAMA is India’s premier show in the electrical sector and represents the world’s largest confluence of the power transmission and distribution community. Held biennially since 1990, the 11th edition of ELECRAMA in 2014 hosted 970 exhibitors from across the world, attracting more than 100,000 footfalls to the exhibition. “It is thought that Africa will need to add around 250GW of capacity by 2030 to meet the predicted demand, with an additional US$450 billion investment required in the power sector. Conversely, Africa’s onshore wind resources are in order of 1,750GW, far more than the total African demand for foreseeable future,” commented the event organisers.
“ELECRAMA is to showcase products and technology throughout the entire voltage spectrum, from 220V to 1,200kV, conforming to global standards and specifications. A large number of business and technology partnerships also take place during the five-day period, making this a mustattend event for global investors.” ELECRAMA is a stellar platform that provides a world-view on technology, best practices, new systems and forecasting the trends in the future of electricity. Bringing together manufacturers and suppliers, ELECRAMA provides
M A N U FA C T U R I N G
Petronas Lubricants International Partners with Tata Motors Tata Motors, in association with Petronas Lubricants International (PLI), has launched the Tata Motors Genuine Oil (TMGO) for its passenger vehicles range in the Indian market. TMGO will be the first range of cobranded lubricants jointly developed by the companies. The co-branded range of lubricants - Tata Motors Genuine Oil CH-4 15W-40 for diesel vehicles and Tata Motors Genuine Gear Oil 80EP for passenger cars - makes up part of a bigger range of nine cobranded products that will be rolled out in a phased approach. Dinesh Bhasin, Head, Customer
(L-R) - Dinesh Bhasin, Head of Customer Support, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd, with M.P.Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Petronas Lubricants (India) Pvt Ltd (PLIPL) at the product launch
Support, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd commented: “Tata Motors has always worked with a customer-centric approach and providing its customers with the best post-purchase experience. With the new co-branded TMGO range
a platform to communicate with key customer segments including; private and public transmission and distribution utilities, EPCs, consultants and specifiers, members of the government and policymakers. For the first time in the event’s history, ELECRAMA will feature unique experience pavilions displaying information on the topics of ‘Energies of Tomorrow’ and ‘Evolution of 125 years of Electricity’, in collaboration with the organisers, IEEE. For more information, visit: http://elecrama.com/ of lubricants now available, we are creating a distinct and differentiated value proposition in the market.” M.P. Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Petronas Lubricants (India) added: “PLI has recorded a steady volume growth at 40 percent CAGR and is aiming to capture five percent total market share by 2019. PLI in India is now entering the next wave of growth in line with our aspirations and we are confident that the coming together of Tata Motors, a highly-respected leader in automotive engineering, together with PLI, will help us better our position in this market as a leading provider of premium lubricants.” These products will be available through Petronas’ distributor network of more than 3,500 outlets, across India today and will be rolled out progressively in 2016.
GO TO WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM/NEWS FOR ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS FROM ASIA
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S F O O D & D R I N K
Double-Digit Growth Ahead for HappyFresh
RFI Foundation Chairperson of its Board of Trustees, Professor Datuk Rifaat Abdel Karim
E X H I B I T I O N S
Striking Synergies Between Malaysia’s IF Market and Responsible Finance Sector Strengthening alliances between Malaysia’s $200 billion Islamic finance market and rapidly growing $53 billion responsible finance sector in Asia hold the key to unlock social impact in emerging markets. This is according to the event organisers behind the Responsible Finance Summit, taking place on 30-31 March, 2016 in Malaysia. Islamic finance has an important role to play as it becomes of increasing interest to global responsible finance. Co-organised by Middle East Global Advisors and Bank Negara Malaysia, the Summit aims to forge meaningful alliances between Islamic finance (IF) and the responsible finance ecosystems, while harnessing the emerging market growth of Islamic finance and the synergies that exist between Islamic finance and global responsible finance. A $2 trillion industry, Islamic finance has a strong footprint in emerging markets and appears to have reached a turning point in its global recognition, presenting an ideal opportunity to boost its appeal beyond its usual consumers. For more information, please visit: http://rf-summit.com/
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Two-in-five Asian consumers are now choosing to buy groceries online, showing enormous headroom for growth in the region for Southeast Asia’s leading online grocer, HappyFresh. “We are seeing an ‘uberisation’ of the retail industry in Asia. Opportunities are abound in this region with its sophisticated food-loving consumers, growing wealth and rapid urbanisation. The continued increase in mobile adoption and broadband penetration has helped boost our online grocery sales,” said CEO of HappyFresh, Markus Bihler. More consumers are purchasing groceries via digital platforms such as mobile apps. Since its inception, HappyFresh has seen a 10-fold increase in the downloading of its mobile app in the region. “Ordering online for home delivery is gaining in popularity in the region. Currently, two out of five online shoppers want to receive real-time offers via their smartphones while they shop. We foresee a doubledigit growth ahead for the online grocery business,” he added.
F O O D & D R I N K
Cult Wines Opens New Hong Kong Office Cult Wines, a specialist in the acquisition and investment management of fine wines, has announced that it is set to open a new office in Hong Kong to take advantage of increasing demand in Asia for fine wine investments. Cult Wines, which was ranked 40th in The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 2015 in the UK, saw its annual profits increase by 105 percent last year and has become one of the UK’s largest wine investment companies; managing private and trade client portfolios on behalf of more than 1,800 clients in 55 countries. The Company has seen the rise of new Asian markets such as Hong Kong, which has driven growth in the fine wine market in recent years. The city is already the single biggest consumer of luxury goods around the world, accounting for some 29 percent of the global luxury spend and its consumption of wine has been growing by 20 percent annually.
GO TO WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM/NEWS FOR ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS FROM ASIA
T E C H N O L O G Y HEALTHCARE
Hello Soda Targets Southeast Asia
The Abraaj Group Acquires Majority Stake in CARE Hospitals The Abraaj Group has agreed to acquire, through one of its Funds, a majority stake in Quality CARE India Limited; one of the largest multi-specialty healthcare providers in India. Headquartered in the city of Hyderabad, CARE is the fifth largest healthcare provider in India, operating 2,600 beds across 16 hospitals in nine cities. Abraaj and CARE’s management team will focus on expanding CARE’s integrated healthcare delivery system, especially in the underpenetrated regions of India. The partnership will also bring
CARE’s high quality and proven delivery platform to other markets where Abraaj operates.
Hello Soda, a UK-based smart data and analytics start-up, has launched a new multilingual feature with the initial rollout available in languages including Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese. The Company’ product can support most languages around the world and offer multinationals the ability to verify ID, stop fraud and assess risk in multiple regions. Commenting on the launch, James Blake, Founder and CEO said: “This multilingual feature will help us better service demand from UK companies that operate globally and need to verify ID, stop fraud and assess risk.” T E C H N O L O G Y
ONZO Announces Partnership with EDMI Ltd.
T E C H N O L O G Y
Barracuda Releases 2016 Business Productivity Outlook According to Barracuda Networks’ Business Productivity Outlook report, 2016 will see a transition in tech departments, where the bulk of IT management efforts shift from infrastructure management to application management. Thiban Darmalingam, the Regional Manager of Barracuda in Malaysia explains: “Managing and measuring productivity is important to companies of all sizes. By this time next year, businesses will be spending about US$58 billion on business and productivity apps for their smartphones, mobile devices, and even their desktop workstations.”
Thiban Darmalingam, Regional Manager, Barracuda Malaysia
“This is a huge market, driven by many technological advancements and cultural shifts…converging to create a perfect storm around productivity in the workplace,” he adds.
ONZO and EDMI have unveiled an innovative new partnership that will allow consumers to view their energy usage at a granular level, to maximise energy efficiency and to adapt their behaviour to save money. EDMI’s advanced Energy Cloud platform allows energy service providers and utilities to collect and manage information across large smart metering deployments. ONZO is working with EDMI to integrate analytics into the Energy Cloud product to enable energy service providers and utilities to gain insights about their customers and provide improved engagement products. Integration between ONZO’s analytics and EDMI’s Energy Cloud platform has begun with the aim to roll out to Australasian customers by February, 2016.
GO TO WWW.ASIAOUTLOOKMAG.COM/NEWS FOR ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS FROM ASIA
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TELL US YOUR STORY
AND WE’LL TELL THE WORLD A S I A O U T L O O K is a digital and print product aimed at boardroom and hands-on decision-makers across a wide range of industries on the continent. With content compiled by our experienced editorial team, complemented by an in-house design and production team ensuring delivery to the highest standards, we look to promote the latest in engaging news, industry trends and success stories from the length and breadth of Asia. We reach an audience of 190,000 people across the continent, bridging the full range of industrial sectors: mining; oil & gas; logistics; resources; manufacturing; construction; engineering; technology; food & drink; retail; finance; and healthcare. In joining the leading industry heavyweights already enjoying the exposure we can provide, you can benefit from FREE COVERAGE across both digital and print platforms, a free marketing brochure, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and to grow your business. To get involved, please contact Outlook Publishing’s Managing Director, Ben Weaver, who can provide further details on how to feature your company, for free, in one of our upcoming editions.
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Email: ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com
L I Q U E F I E D
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LNG puts PNG on the Map Papua New Guinea is fast becoming one of the most prosperous countries on the planet when it comes to liquefied natural gas production, but the challenging terrain requires a certain level of operator to capitalise on the potential Writer: Matthew Staff
xxonMobil PNG Limited has won the 2015 Asia-Pacific Midstream/ LNG Company of the Year Award, highlighting the potential of a country that isn’t usually on the tips of tongues waxing lyrical about industrial opportunity. Presented in January, 2016 at the annual Asia-Pacific Oil and Gas Awards Dinner in Singapore, the operator of the sector-famous PNG LNG project may be best known for its global influence across more renowned regions and domains, but a new wave of significance is sweeping Papua New Guinea when it comes to LNG and the wider oil & gas influence. New, that is, if you’re not one of
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the few to have already tackled and conquered the nation’s challenging natural resource terrain. The likes of InterOil Corporation and High Arctic Energy Services (HAES) have staked their claim as international success stories in Papua New Guinea over the past decade, having realised the future potential that the country will hold. Subsequently, oil majors such as Total SA and the award-winning ExxonMobil have joined the party, capitalising on the formers’ growing experience to carry out some of the most substantial LNG projects in the world. ExxonMobil PNG Limited Managing Director, Andrew Barry,
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attended the event and accepted the award on behalf of ExxonMobil PNG Limited and the PNG LNG Project. “The award is a reflection of the world-class nature of the PNG LNG Project, our ability to build upon our early successes and our reputation as a reliable supplier of LNG. “The hard work and cooperation of the PNG Government and provincial governments, our co-venture partners, suppliers and contractors, landowners and communities in and around the areas we work allows the Project to maintain its highest level of performance.” Incepted in 2014, the project has since been confirmed as one of the world’s most efficient LNG
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developments, with a construction cost of around US$2,300 a tonne. Ross Stewart Campbell, Chairman of the Oil and Gas Council went on to emphasise the success of tomorrow’s LNG market and how it can consequently be built and benchmarked on the success of today’s LNG projects. “In 2015 there was no better success story globally than that of the PNG LNG Project, operated by ExxonMobil PNG,” he said. “Huge value creation for all concerned, setting in turn a new standard of excellence for project management and delivery. ExxonMobil PNG is the rightful winner and recipient of our 2015 Asia-Pacific Midstream/LNG Company of the Year,”
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Rate of growth in Papua New Guinea in 2015 from LNG exports
Significant and lauded in its own right of course, the PNG LNG project didn’t take long to prove itself as a trailblazer in the region, immediately paving the way for a second significant project to get underway as the strive for liquefied natural gas resources intensified. A partnership between Total and InterOil Corporation - as well as international player, Oil Search - saw attentions turn to the ElkAntelope gas field in the country’s Gulf province; essentially confirming the country’s position as a low-risk investment hub for the industry. Thomas Nador, InterOil’s Senior
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Vice President, Corporate, explained: “When the first shipment of liquefied natural gas left Papua New Guinea’s PNG LNG Project in Port Moresby in mid2014, the US$19 billion project came in ahead of schedule and demonstrated to the world that Papua New Guinea could develop megaprojects. It effectively de-risked the nation as an investment destination. “Analysts are suggesting that ElkAntelope could be even lower cost than the ExxonMobil project because it will require less infrastructure to develop, need shorter pipelines and is in a less remote part of the country than the PNG LNG Project.” Elk-Antelope, which was discovered by the US-listed InterOil in 2006, is in the final stages of appraisal and the giant field is already described by the Company as one of the largest finds in Asia over the past 20 years. Initial estimates suggest the field could have enough gas to underpin a two-train project to produce about seven million tonnes of LNG, a year, for the next 20 years. On a more socio-economic note, according to the Asian Development Bank, economic growth in Papua New Guinea rose to eight percent in 2014 following the first exports of LNG and rose to 15 percent in 2015, to give Papua New Guinea one of the highest growth rates in the world while also opening up numerous opportunities for the country’s population.
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During a recent trade visit to the UK, Belgium and France, the country’s Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill emphasised the numerous national benefits deriving from the infiltration of the likes of ExxonMobil. “There is significant interest in Papua New Guinea from the business community and we must convert that interest into tangible business engagement,” he said. “We cannot think of Europe as being too far away to matter. Europe offers an important market, particularly for our agricultural products and there is tremendous potential for strategic partnerships in areas that include banking, energy and resources. “Total is another great example of a European company that has recognised the potential for investment in Papua New Guinea, employing a number of Papua New Guinean and foreign workers expected to reach 10,000 at the peak of the construction project. “With one of the fastest growing economies in the world and being a country with ongoing political stability, businesses are interested in investing in Papua New Guinea.”
Double-edged sword
By this reasoning alone, the entire oil & gas fraternity would be descending on Papua New Guinea, but there remains a very distinct riskreward element when carrying out operations in the country; presenting successful opportunity to only the most collaborative, skilled and - ideally - nation-savvy of businesses. Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s double-edged sword of lucrative market opportunity and almost unrivalled difficulty in actually carrying out operations has made it a niche area for operators willing to take on the challenge in recent years, and with the oil price crisis adding
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a further dimension of risk at present, the ability to differentiate and form a positive reputation has never been more vital. High Arctic Energy Services has been one such Company to achieve the feat, meeting its elite array of customers’ needs since 2006 through
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“...a regular land or onshore oil & gas rig breaks down into components in the 40-50 tonne range, ours break down into four tonne loads so we can still load and transport them underneath a helicopter between mountain tops” - Darren Greer, President of International Operations at HAES
High Arctic Energy Services has been one such Company to take on the challenge of operating in PNG
a unique approach to problem solving, innovation and providing niche, valueadded solutions. Renowned for completing projects in some of the most treacherous global conditions that the industry can offer, the PNG LNG challenge was a natural choice, but has shed further light on why it isn’t a perfect fit for everyone. “With the operation in PNG, we have had to focus on applying technologies and processes to areas which are much harder to work in,” explained the President of International Operations at HAES, Darren Greer. “In Papua New Guinea we have specialist drilling rigs that operate like any other but are heliportable.
“The locations we operate at sit on top of mountains with no road support, so whereas a regular land or onshore oil & gas rig breaks down into components in the 40-50 tonne range, ours break down into four tonne loads so we can still load and transport them underneath a helicopter between mountain tops.” The difficulties encountered within Papua New Guinea don’t just end at environmental considerations either, with the population scattered around the country in villages and land-dwellings an equally significant consideration for a Company looking to make a positive impact. Continuous engagement and
enrichment has therefore become one of the most pivotal facets of High Arctic’s - and indeed any oil major looking to enter the market’s - continuous improvement strategy to ensure that all work carried out is not only done fairly, equitably and efficiently, but is ideally done by local citizens. Forming a legacy in Papua New Guinea requires effort and ability aligned to the rewards that can be attained therefore, but for the global oil majors like ExxonMobil and Total, they can at least be rest assured that there are reinforcements already on hand in the country for when the market picks up and they try their luck in one of LNG’s most fascinating hubs.
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The Pursuit of Healthy China 2020
China’s leaders have been keen to learn from the best globally in creating its model for a new health system, which is designed to provide universal healthcare access and treatment for all by 2020. Mark Britnell, KPMG Chairman gives his thoughts on the proposed healthcare reforms and the incredible business opportunities they present for investors Writer: Emily Jarvis
sia Outlook (AsO): In a nutshell, what are the China healthcare reforms designed to achieve between now
and 2020? Mark Britnell (MB): China has set out an incredibly ambitious reform programme for the next five years, which will be ratified in the 13th Five-Year Plan this March. By 2020, the Government wants to see the introduction of a primary care system very nearly from scratch to keep patients from going straight to hospitals. It wants to reform and streamline the management of public
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hospitals across hundreds of cities to improve quality of care. It wants to deepen coverage of the three main health insurance schemes and – ultimately – merge the policies and entitlements of well over one billion people together. It also wants to resolve a toxic atmosphere of mistrust that much of the public holds towards doctors and healthcare providers; attacks on care professionals are not an uncommon event in China. That’s at the same time as continuing huge expansions in the numbers of hospitals, clinics, doctors and nurses to further close the gap with high income countries.
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As someone that works with governments and ministries of health all over the world, I’m well used to seeing overly-optimistic national targets and strategies and taking them with a pinch of salt. But in China you have to take the Government’s ambitions for its health system very seriously indeed. Just look at the incredible progress it has made in the past 10 years, which many would never have thought possible: more than one billion people brought into health insurance schemes for the first time, more a million doctors added to the workforce and 12 percent annual growth in health expenditures.
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Ultimately, if the past five years of China’s reform were about bringing hundreds of millions of people into coverage, the next five years are about making sure that coverage means something in the everyday lives of ordinary citizens. That second phase is undoubtedly the harder task, but I’ve no doubt that they can achieve it if momentum and support are maintained and, of course, if the economy remains strong. AsO: What factors have led China to amend its healthcare system? MB: Several realisations are behind
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healthcare reform taking its place among the top priorities of China’s people and Government. SARS is the most obvious; it really demonstrated that poor health is every bit as big a threat to a country’s safety and prosperity as national security. The disease had a profound impact on Chinese society and made the Government appreciate that to protect its citizens, it needed a functioning health system every bit as much as it needed a functioning military. Since 2003, I think the debate has become much broader than infectious diseases though. There’s an increasing appreciation across the world now
that decent healthcare is essential to economic growth; and spending on it should be seen as an investment in future growth, not a cost. Work by KPMG found that for every year of life expectancy increases, GDP increases by four percent in the long run. So wealth and health are inextricably linked. Right from the very first universal health system of Bismarck’s Germany, governments have invested in health as a means of ensuring the health of their workforce. As the Chinese population ages and chronic diseases become more prevalent, this only becomes more important.
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“Ultimately, if the past five years of China’s reform were about bringing hundreds of millions of people into coverage, the next five years are about making sure that coverage means something in the everyday lives of ordinary citizens”
Finally, the drive to stimulate domestic demand in China has been a strong priority of Government for some time. The slowdown and stock market falls we’ve seen in recent weeks are exactly the type of scenario they have been trying to mitigate. I think one of the powerful rationales behind the introduction of a universal health insurance scheme - albeit with limited depth of coverage - was the observation that Chinese families were saving a very high proportion of their income rather than spending it. So health coverage was partly an attempt to stimulate private spending on other things. AsO: What would be your advice to anyone seeking to capitalise on the business opportunities that arise from the reforms in China? MB: Any sector that forecasts 10 to
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15 percent annual spending growth - as China’s health system does - is going to see commercial opportunities arise. China will certainly need a lot of help to deliver its ambitions for healthcare by 2020. Medical education will need to expand rapidly, new IT systems are needed and so are innovative ways of using technology to increase access in rural areas. The management challenges of wide-scale hospital reform are almost too great to imagine. I also think the challenge of gathering and using big data on healthcare delivery and the health of the population is an incredible opportunity for ambitious partners to get involved in. In addition to the challenge of broadening access to all, there are also significant opportunities from China’s burgeoning middle-class, who increasingly expect levels of quality equivalent to the US and Europe, and
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are willing to pay for it. Many of China’s neighbours are setting themselves up as destinations for medical tourism, but undoubtedly the domestic market for top quality private care in China is going to rise and rise. AsO: If you had to choose four key factors from healthcare systems across the globe to combine together to make a perfect health system, what would they be and why? MB: Well, in my recent book I pick twelve facets of different countries that would make a near-perfect system. But if I was selecting four for a country like China then I’d first choose the primary care system of Israel, which spends roughly the same proportion of its economy as China on healthcare, but puts a far greater weight of that spending onto GPs and out-of-hospital care. The same four organisations both
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pay for and provide care, so there’s a very strong incentive for effective gatekeeping and only using expensive hospital care where there is genuine benefit to the patient. Second would be the technological innovation of Singapore, which was recently ranked first across all countries for the extent of its eHealth infrastructure. More than 40 percent of the population can now access their full medical record online using a system which was rolled out in 2011 and ambitiously links every level of care provider across the city-state. Doing that nationally across a country of China’s size would be a huge challenge, but even if only at the Province level, this would give health system leaders the understanding and grip of the system to raise standards and improve performance. Third would be the community services of Brazil. As I mentioned above, China is seeing rapidly rising rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases. By far the most sustainable way to do that is to invest in care models that keep people well, rather than waiting until
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a problem is so serious that they go to hospital. Brazil’s system relies on community teams that blend a doctor with a nurse and six community health workers. These teams visit every house in their boundary every month, regardless of whether anyone is sick, aiming to treat problems at their source. For a country that, like China, spends comparably little on healthcare, it’s a very smart way of getting the most out of the resources available. Finally, and for the same reasons as Brazil, the health promotion of the Scandinavian countries. As they say in public health, it’s much easier to stop people falling in the river than rescuing them as they drown, and these
countries have collaborated to make their societies ones that encourage and support good health. That involves environmental protection, anti-smoking legislation, and an effective balance to be struck between the responsibilities of individuals and the state. I often say that while the recent US health reforms are the most complicated in the world, the biggest and most complex are China’s. China’s leaders have been keen to learn from the best globally in designing a model for their health system, but in reality the country will forge its own path and, I’m sure, create new innovations in the coming years that others in turn will look to with admiration.
Mark Britnell is chairman of KPMG’s Global Health Practice and author of ‘In Search of the Perfect Health System’, published by Palgrave Macmillan.
“I also think the challenge of gathering and using big data on healthcare delivery and the health of the population is an incredible opportunity for ambitious partners to get involved in”
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China’s Property
Migration Changes to China’s real estate market mean good things for Europe as investors look to the west for ways to diversify their risk portfolios and find good return on investment Writer: Keith Breslauer, Managing Director of Patron Capital
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ver the past 30 years, China’s economy has grown rapidly. The country has emerged as a major global economic superpower, as well as the world’s largest manufacturer and merchandise trader - on a purchasing power parity basis - and holder of foreign exchange reserves. This success pulled millions into China’s urban areas and caused the country’s property market some considerable agitation. In 1978, just prior to the free market reforms that sparked China’s swift ascent to economic power, less than 20 percent of China’s population lived in cities. Today, that figure has reached 55 percent; and approximately 275 million people - more than a third of China’s entire labour force - are migrant workers from rural areas. But the rapid rate of economic growth has proved fragile. It was recently revealed that China’s economy grew just 6.9 percent in 2015, compared with 7.3 percent a year earlier, marking the country’s slowest growth in 25 years.
Property slump
Subsequent inspection of the Chinese property market also reveals cause for concern. Property price-to-income ratios have risen to above 20 times, leading to a glut of empty properties and millions of unsold homes. Last year, China’s National Bureau of Statistics estimated that unsold residential floor space totalled 657 square kilometres; an area nearly the size of Singapore. This property surplus has caused a slump in homebuilding, a severe decline in property prices and an erosion of household wealth. Developers of, and investors in, Chinese residential property are, accordingly, far less active in the face of potential financial difficulties.
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Shenzhen is a major financial center in southern China. The city is home to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange as well as the headquarters of numerous high-tech companies. It was dubbed as China’s Silicon Valley due to this high concentration of technology companies. Shenzhen ranks 22nd in the 2015 edition of the Global Financial Centres Index published by the Z/Yen Group and Qatar Financial Centre Authority. It also has one of the busiest container ports in the world. In 2007, Shenzhen was named one of China’s ten most livable cities by Chinese Cities Brand Value Report.
Furthermore, the country’s economic slowdown has had a knockon effect on the property market elsewhere. Last year, for example, Chinese investors pulled out of a £455 million purchase of Broadgate Quarter in the City of London. With China having accumulated debts of 200 percent of GDP and rising, as well as its stock market faltering, ongoing issues with its economy could potentially lead to a global recession. Nevertheless, residential and commercial property agency Knight Frank has reported that the situation
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in China has led wealthy individuals and companies to seek alternative routes to export capital. Their interest in safe-haven global property markets has intensified and is encouraged by state-provided subsidies - such as cheap capital and assistance from the Chinese government - for those investing abroad.
billion on 1,047 direct investments in the 28 EU countries. In 2014, Chinese investment in Europe hit a record high, reaching €14 billion for the whole year. According to Cushman & Wakefield, for the period 2008-2014, 23 percent of China’s total outbound real estate investment was spent in Europe, coming in third place after Asia and North America; 33.8 percent and 29 Looking towards the UK percent respectively. Europe has traditionally been an The country’s real estate investment alternative route to export capital for in Europe totalled more than US$8 Chinese companies. Between 2000 and billion (approximately €7.3 billion) 2014, Chinese companies spent €46 between 2009 and 2014 and total
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Over the course of 2015, while London remains Europe’s most popular property market among Chinese property investors - attracting €47 billion of capital in the third quarter of 2015 - Europe’s strengthening property markets are attracting investors to other countries including Spain, Portugal, France, and even Greece. As the situation in China becomes more and more concerning, it remains to be seen whether investors there will continue to invest in Europe in the way they have done in recent years. Certainly, Europe continues to offer significant opportunities and is attracting interest from investors across the world. Competition for quality assets in prime cities such as Paris, London, Munich and Frankfurt continues to intensify, but Europe is a
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complex area with unique individual markets, and countries with markedly different investment characteristics sit in close proximity to one another. Investments in Europe therefore need to be made at the right price, at the right time and supported by in-depth local market knowledge. For those that are discerning of local markets, well-connected enough to access the best deals, and creative enough to identify opportunities that others may overlook, there are many opportunities to be found in Europe. Given this, demand for specialist local knowledge is at its height, as many believe that rather than direct investment, funds with local partners are strategically the most prudent way to achieve strong returns on investment.
investment increased nearly 87-fold between 2011 and 2013, reaching US$4.6 billion in 2013 (approximately €4.2 billion). Indeed, Asia’s richest man and founder of Cheung Kong Holdings, Li Ka-shing, has reportedly sold more than 20 billion yuan of commercial properties in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou since 2013, renewing rumours that he will exit China to focus on opportunities in Europe.
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is a leading business-to-business publication promoting and showcasing the leading companies across an array of sectors on the continent. Appearing in both digital and print, the publication is aimed at boardroom members and hands-on decision makers, reaching more than 190,000 business executives. Every other month we feature leading companies and business executives by profiling their operations and success stories. Covering areas of best practice, capital investments, the supply chain, innovation and continuous improvement, we aim to promote all that is good about the industry and the region, with your company taking centre stage throughout it all. Producing business profiles across the full range of sectors and every corner of the continent, Asia Outlook is the platform to promote your business success.
Read on for this month’s profiles. Emily Jarvis, Deputy Editor emily.jarvis@outlookpublishing.com
If you want to enjoy the exposure and coverage we can offer, please feel free to contact us to discuss the opportunity further. Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world. Matthew Staff, Editorial Director Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 655 matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com
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aimon Land PLC, one of Thailand’s leading high-end real estate developers, continues to drive forward into new markets, delivering award-winning properties to capitalise on new opportunities and trends. Remaining entrepreneurial and alert to the latest industry trends and market demands has been a platform for the Company; developing a formidable core of real estate operations, while expanding a wide range of peripheral services to support them. This has resulted in 12 completed residential properties over the past 12 years, totalling a project value of US$1.3 billion, built through a strong understanding of the needs of the high-end market both today and in the future. “The lifestyle of today’s urban homeowner is fast paced, with more demands on their time than ever before,” the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director, Mr Johnson Tan notes. “People are
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Raimon Land’s latest addition to its market-leading portfolio of developments, Lofts Asoke, promises to continue the Company’s prominent tradition of high-end quality and blue-sky innovation Writer: Matthew Staff Project Manager: Arron Rampling increasingly looking for a residence with both function and style where elements are designed with a duality of space, perfect for hosting a party, working from home or simply relaxing with family.” Similarly, in terms of the developments themselves, the bar is also being lifted; literally in some cases, with higher specifications than ever; such as soaring ceilings, greater range of facilities, and expanded services for residents on property.
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Raimon Land’s Head of Development, Gerard Healy says: “One size no longer fits all. We continue to offer three or four different alternative interior design style options for each home, and over the past five years we’ve seen the edgier options becoming increasingly popular as people are moving away from the more conservative.” One trend that remains consistent however is Raimon Land’s commitment to creating freehold projects in the best neighbourhoods, providing a turnkey service of delivery that attracts the most prestigious local and international clients including introducing new languages into its communication materials - Mandarin in particular - to enforce its position as a partner of choice at the top-end of Thai real estate. The Company’s brand reputation for delivering on time as well as being able to see and read future trends then integrating these into new developments is the key differentiator in a competitive market. Innovation is created by a capable
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Lofts Asoke
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itta Company Limited was founded on 26th October 1987 as a congruent concentration of Thai engineers possessing knowledge, ability, concept, principle and practice providing real professional engineering services in design and construction. We have undertaken a large variety of projects within many industries, with a collective track record of projects worth more than five hundred billion baht, which are appreciated by our local and foreign clients. Ritta is at the forefront of the construction industry in Thailand carrying out the work with professional care, achieving certification of quality management system (ISO9001) from Bureau Veritas (BV) under the accreditation of the National Accreditation Council of Thailand (NAC) and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
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team whose hard work and dedication is reflected in embracing new ways to do things; from the nuts and bolts of running the CRM system, through to innovative marketing campaigns and collaterals or digital initiatives, all the way through to how the Company arranges financing for new developments and expansion.
Leading developer
When applying this ethos to its properties, the outcomes largely speak for themselves, with unrivalled success, awards and a stellar reputation earned over the years. “Our construction goals for 2015 were to continue the construction of The Lofts Ekkamai on schedule, to complete UNIXX South Pattaya by the end of the year, and launch a new high-end housing estate in Yen Akat,” Healy explains. “We also aimed to continue recognising sales from our developments; The River, 185 Rajadamri and Zire Wongamat, and
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One size no longer fits all. We continue to offer three or four different alternative interior design style options for each home, and over the past five years we’ve seen the edgier options becoming increasingly popular...
Ritta is a Sanskrit word which is the same word in Pali of “Itthi” meaning “success”. The English translation is as follows: R Responsibility - An obligation (profound honour of mankind) I Integrity - An honesty (valuable ornament) T Technology - Apply new innovation to manage manpower, material, monetary and tools resourcefully and with quality and cost control T Time - In time, right time A Altruism - Understand others, unselfishness.
www.ritta.co.th
WE HAVE MADE THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE
PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES. SERVING A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES INCLUDING, LARGE DEPARTMENT STORES, BUILDINGS, HOUSES, RESORTS, ROADS, AIRPORTS, FACTORIES, POWER PLANTS, HOSPITALS, JUST TO NAME A FEW. www.ritta.co.th
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Lofts Asoke
increase our reach into international markets such as China.” Despite a challenging business climate, Raimon Land has achieved each of these objectives; The Lofts Ekkamai construction actually slightly ahead of schedule and UNIXX having been completed on time. The Company’s transfer success rate remains above 99 percent, reflecting both a prudent deposit policy as well as a high degree of client satisfaction at time of transfer - a very high figure for completed developments - while its multinational aims have also taken off with China accounting for as much as 30 percent of new international buyers. The Raimon Land developer role doesn’t end upon completion however, and it is the evolution of its post-construction services and ongoing commitment to supporting
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Our nine homes give buyers the best of both worlds, and are a major step forward from the last time the Company did housing back in 2003
existing owners that largely separates Raimon Land from the market competition, including an active resale and leasing department to support investors, expanding after-sale property management services, and a forward-thinking approach to choosing new locations. “In the past, Bangkok houses were in the suburbs, condos were in the inner city. Mews Yen Akat turns that idea on its head, as a new housing estate located in Bangkok’s CBD,” says Healy. “Our nine homes give buyers the best of both worlds, and are a major step forward from the last time the Company did housing back in 2003.” As an innovator in high-rise residential, the new Lofts Asoke condominium in prime Sukhumvit has already sold around 45 percent of the units ahead of the official launch in April, 2016.
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The Lofts Asoke
Soaring 45 storeys and more than 150 metres, The Lofts Asoke will be an industrial-chic design condominium property aiming to meet the needs of the urban professional looking for a genuine inner-city loft in terms of space, styling and location. Complementing the existing Lofts Sathorn, Lofts Yennakart and Lofts Ekkamai which are all sold out or almost sold out, the innovations applied to Asoke address the trends of providing a home conducive to work, education and socialising; including a resident’s lounge-cum-workspace which comprises a snooker table, bar and various seating zones, ideal for seminars, study sessions, working, meeting friends or business meetings. To create a dramatic sense of space, ceilings are 3.2 metres in the single floor units, and almost six metres in the duplexes. As the fourth Lofts project, Asoke is an evolution of the ideas and learnings to date, drawn together into a prime inner-city location.
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“This is an example where Raimon Land is seeing the trend and developing ahead of it,” Healy explains. “For parking, for instance, many clients want the environmentally and timeefficient best solution, so we have introduced automated parking, giving the convenience of parking on the ground floor, then letting technology take care of the vehicle rather than needing to park it yourself on a high floor.” The introduction of dining facilities on property further demonstrates the Company’s ongoing strive for added value, with Zire Wongamat, UNIXX South Pattaya and The River properties adding cafes and restaurants on-site. Innovations aim to bring a wow factor for both local and international clients, and making developments the standout choice for prospective investors and residents. Mews Yen Akat and The Lofts Ekkamai are both already under construction scheduled to complete in 2016, while The Lofts Asoke will complete construction year-end, 2018.
High standards and innovation
The Company is especially proud of its ability to attract and retain leading talent from a personnel perspective. Facilitating an ethos of multi-skilling, employees are expected to focus on providing a high quality of after-sales service across all departments, with the ability to often provide that care in a client’s own language; a function made possible through more than 12 different nationalities within the workforce, serving clients from 69 different countries. The same reputation is pivotal when forming business partnerships throughout the Company’s supply chain too. Raimon Land believes
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BOUYGUES-THAI LTD
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ouygues-Thai Ltd has been a key player in the local construction market in Thailand for 25 years. As a part of Bouygues Construction, Bouygues-Thai Ltd has the full technical and financial support to handle complex and large scale projects. The expertise of Bouygues-Thai Ltd concentrates on high end condominiums and offices, malls, exhibition and convention centres, and renewable energy projects. Bouygues-Thai Ltd is recognised for its experience in high quality projects and has developed a strong reputation for quality and reliability with a successful track record of delivering its projects to completion. T +66 2 960 2300
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procurement should never be solely a cost-driven decision; while biggest purchases achieve below market prices, it is never at the cost of compromising quality or service standards. For main contractors this means using the leading firms in the market, which in the past have included firms such as Bouygues Thai, RITTA and Prebuilt. Healy says: “For architects, ensuring we have the best designs requires more than just a great architect, but also a very strong internal design team, so when we select design partners we look for a strong match in terms of how to get the work done, and their record of being able to think outside the box to solve challenges of complex sites or functionality.” Refining internal processes stands Raimon Land in great stead in its future external endeavours, as new developments in prime locations get underway and the service portfolio inevitably extends once again for
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...when we select design partners we look for a strong match in terms of how to get the work done, and their record of being able to think outside the box to solve challenges of complex sites or functionality
existing owners. An increase in assets which generate recurring income, as well as enhanced international attractiveness remain core strategies moving forward as the Company cements its position with both Thais and foreigners, with its international sales programme particularly to Chinese and South East Asian customers – continuing to grow market share abroad. The high standards of quality and design account for 25 percent of 2015 sales being to repeat purchasers, reflecting the degree of satisfaction owners enjoy when purchasing. Having delivered 14 quarters of profit consecutively, Raimon Land is not resting on its laurels. Ongoing improvements in its business throughout the past three years, coupled with a determined focus to create superior developments and backed by a high quality of service, will continue to bear fruit well into the future.
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Bouygues-Thai Ltd. has been a construction global player in the local market of Thailand for 25 years. As part of Bouygues Construction, Bouygues - Thai Ltd. has the full technical and financial support to handle complex, large scale projects. At present, the company has total staff of 2,414. The expertise of Bouygues-Thai Ltd. concentrates on high end, high rise Condominium, Hospitality, Mall, Exhibition and Convention Center, High end offices and Renewable Energy such as Solar Plants.
Bouygues-Thai Ltd. is recognized for its experience in high quality projects and has developed a strong reputation for quality and reliability with a successful track record of delivering it’s projects to completion.
Tel +66 2 960 2300 BOUYGUES-THAI LTD. 489 Bond Street Road, Bangpood, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand
The Lofts Ekkamai
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ENABLING Connectivity for the
FUTURE
Since inception three years ago, edotco Group has secured a strong tower portfolio and is now bolstering its value-add service offering, starting with a concerted focus on sustainable power sources for its towers Writer: Emily Jarvis • Project Manager: Donovan Smith
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aving bolstered its range of integrated telecommunications infrastructure services with the addition of value-add services, Southeast Asia’s tower services expert, edotco is carefully balancing its desire to expand with a desire to constantly innovate; evolving beyond a traditional tower Company with a focus on creating its own reliable supply of power to remain competitive in a rapidly growing market. A series of strategic tower acquisitions since inception in 2012 has resulted in edotco taking ownership of more than 15,000 towers, including around 2,200 new towers built in 2015 by the Company across its five countries of operation - Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Pakistan – representative of edotco’s position as a leading pan-Asian tower
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services provider. Suresh Sidhu, Chief Executive Officer of the Company recalls: “edotco has evolved from a concept into a reality; with tower assets in multiple countries and a range of end-to-end solutions for the sector today. It is our ability to adapt and keep up with the pace of the industry that makes us stand out from the competition.”
With a whole range of towercentric services spanning infrastructure, power, energy sourcing, operations and maintenance and monitoring services, edotco’s offering covers the full spectrum of tower needs, tailored to tackle various country and environment-specific challenges.
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Many sectors, many needs.
ONE trusted name for constant power backup. The LARGEST battery manufacturer in Bangladesh. Solar | Inverter | Traction | Stationary | VRLA | EV | Automotive
RAHIMAFROOZ ACCUMULATORS LTD.
Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd. (RREL), is one of the foremost and pioneering solar companies, with more than 25 years of experience of Solarizing Bangladesh. As a company we specialize as a systems integrator & installer of solar solutions, manufacturer of key solar components, and one-stop service provider for carbon project development.
At Rahimafrooz Accumulators Limited (RAL) we produce a wide range of Tubular Batteries for Renewable Energy Systems, Backup Power Systems, Electric vehicles, Telecommunication, Power Stations, Railways, Forklifts, and Golf carts. RAL produces and markets industrial batteries with the best quality and highest performance backed by latest technology.
GLOBATT offers a wide range of Maintenance Free and Sealed Maintenance Free batteries ranging from 32AH to 200AH in JIS and from 36AH to 100AH in the DIN range. With a production capacity of 2.5 million, GLOBATT batteries are made with Ca-Ca-Tin Expanded Metal Technology, using 100% virgin lead sourced from leading smelters of the world.
Over 3 Million u ser in more th s an 60 export destinatio ns
Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Limited 260/B, Tejgaon Industrial Area 5th Floor, Dhaka-1208 T: +88-02-8878525-7 F: +88-02-8878566 solar@rahimafrooz.com www.rahimafrooz-solar.com
Rahimafrooz Accumulators Limited 705, West Nakhalpara, Tejgaon, Dhaka – 1215 T: +88-02 -9113696 F: +88-02-58153128 ralsales@rahimafrooz.com www.rahimafrooz-accumulators.com
Rahimafrooz Globatt Limited 705, West Nakhalpara, Tejgaon, Dhaka – 1215 T+88-02 -9113696 globatt@rahimafrooz.com www.globatt-battery.com
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Investing in value-add, tower-centric services will be key to edotco’s long-term sustainability
The Company’s recent drive to secure a reliable supply of power to its towers has proved to be a strategic move towards achieving long-term operational efficiency. “This is just one step that makes our towers more attractive and we hope this will facilitate increased tower sharing possibilities,” Sidhu adds.
Sustainable tower solutions
Heading into next year, edotco’s expansion strategy is very much focused on continued investment in its value-add, tower-centric services, including power infrastructure and new technologies designed to boost efficiency. “The vast majority of our ongoing projects are a result of our pursuit for operational excellence and investment in our brand, which affects how we are perceived in the market,” says Sidhu. Coupled with its commitment to provide the best service uptime to
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The vast majority of our ongoing projects are a result of our pursuit for operational excellence and investment in our brand, which affects how we are perceived in the market
customers, Chief Sales & Corporate Affairs Officer, Wan Zainal explains that edotco’s monitoring solution, echo is a step in the right direction. He explains: “echo is an automated remote monitoring system for all passive tower infrastructure; comprising power, security, fuel, battery life, temperature, alarms and any other key aspects that can have an impact on service levels. “From our centralised echo Centre, we can proactively monitor each site via a remote monitoring unit (RMU) in real time, intelligently gathering data, resulting in costsaving problem resolutions while minimising dependence on manual field operations.” To make the project a reality, edotco worked closely with telecommunication and industrial power expert, Orissa Wicomm (M) Sdn. Bhd; a Company who shares edotco’s long-term view of creating sustainable power solutions through its offering of renewable energy and RMU capabilities. Moreover, many of the markets in which edotco operate face the challenge of an unreliable power supply and by leveraging its close relationship with regional partners, the Company is ensuring that it meets its energy efficiency targets across its tower infrastructure; thus reducing operational expenditure and passing the savings onto the customer by reducing total cost of ownership. He further notes: “We are well placed to help our customers reduce cost to maintain their profit margins. This involved tackling the common problem of energy shortages by investing in more innovative and sustainable power solutions, including exploring avenues in renewable energy. “Moving into the power space will provide access to different clients in new geographies, providing our teams with experience in new markets. Given
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ahimafrooz is one of the leading business conglomerates from Bangladesh with more than 60 years of experience in storage battery manufacturing and distribution in domestic and international markets. Over the decades, Rahimafrooz has grown in size, scale and diversity and the Group today has eight operating Companies (SBUs), alongside other business ventures, and a not-for-profit social enterprise. As of 2015, the Group currently employs more than 3,000 people directly and a further 50,000 indirectly as suppliers and contractors, dealers and retailers, operating in four broad industries; namely storage power, automotive & electronics, energy and retail. We produce a wide range of dry charge and maintenance free automotive, motorcycle & deep cycle batteries as well as a variety of industrial tubular batteries. Rahimafrooz Accumulators Limited (RAL) is the largest industrial battery manufacturer in Bangladesh. The Company started manufacturing industrial batteries in 1991 in collaboration with Electrona of Switzerland and in 2009 commenced operation as a separate unit to cater to the growing industrial storage power requirements for the local and international market. We produce and market a wide range of telecommunication and tubular batteries for a variety of industries. RAL produces and markets industrial batteries with consistent quality and high performance backed by advanced technology. We make 2V and 12V industrial batteries maintaining high standards of operation which are ISO 9001, 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certified ensuring global quality benchmarks.
The Company consists of two manufacturing plants which use the latest technology and are equipped with modern production machineries and testing facilities; including air treatment, effluent treatment and lead recycling management. RAL aims to manufacture high quality batteries which offer safer and more environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes. Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Limited (RREL) has been an active player in the solar industry over the past 25+ years, actively dealing with many solar products and large solar projects. As one of its pioneering projects, RREL established a PV Module Plant in 2012 in order to cater the market with high quality products. RREL has also started global footprint with PV panel and SHS exports. The Company has implemented extensive rural service and selling network for access to energy using online/ERP and smartphone-based systems. Rahimafrooz Globatt Limited (RGL) is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive batteries in Southeast Asia. We manufacture maintenance free automotive batteries in our ISO 9001, 14000 & OHSAS 18000 certified plant, with 2.5 million units produced per annum. We have been exporting batteries to the global market since 1992 and customers of 58 countries have experienced our products. The team at Rahimafrooz is committed to ensuring the best in quality standards and living the Group’s five core values – Integrity, Excellence, Customer Delight, Innovation and Inspiring People. At Rahimafrooz, we are “Enriching Lives with Your Trust”.
www.rahimafrooz.com
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9 DOTS CONSULTING
9
Dots Consulting Group is
headquartered in Singapore with regional operations in Malaysia and Thailand. The core focus of 9 Dots Consulting is on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Business Intelligence (BI), providing class-leading professional expertise with laser-focused quality service that can take your business to the next level of success. 9 Dots Consulting has built its success on proven Microsoft Dynamics AX implementations by fostering partnerships and working together with enterprise clients for successful outcomes.
Securing a reliable supply of power to its towers has proved a strategic move towards achieving long-term sustainability
the increasing trend for multi-service companies, it is often expected of us to provide the power infrastructure as well as the tower, and our latest investments in this area are enabling us to do this.” Additionally, edotco is continuously looking for ways to re-evaluate the design of its towers to ensure they can be tailored for a specific site, alongside a specific energy system; including the roll out of a camouflage design and BTS hotel in Malaysia. “Our multiservice approach will help to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs for the customer, while increasing network uptime,” Wan Zainal adds. Equipped with this all-encompassing solution approach, edotco is now assessing opportunities in new geographies starting with Myanmar earlier this year; acquiring a 75 percent stake in an indigenous tower company. “Going forward, we will be very much focused on operationalising this and
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9 Dots Consulting worked closely with edotco to deploy a new central enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution for the Group
Whatever your business challenges are, whether it is to stay competitive, keeping your business response time down, managing expansions, shared services, consolidations or streamlining business processes across regions; you are in good hands with the right Microsoft Dynamics AX enterprise solutions from 9 Dots Consulting. 9 Dots Consulting guarantees experienced help, support and advice, in addition to a high level of commitment and responsibility. “We have a consistent track record and reputation for on-time delivery. You are in a much better partnership with us when it comes to achieving a better return on investment for your business. Integrity is the essence of our success”, says Yap Sim Chin, Managing Director, 9 Dots Consulting Group.
E info@9dots.com
www.9dots.com
9 DOTS CONSULTING GROUP SINGAPORE
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THAIL AND
Behind every success story there stands a trusted partner. We want to be your trusted Microsoft Dynamics AX partner.
Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP software for growing Enterprises. Our success in Microsoft Dynamics AX implementations is achieved through strong partnership and understanding of our clients’ needs in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). That’s why we believe in working closely with you to take your business to the next level of success.
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SUCCESS STORIES
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ORISSA WICOMM
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rissa Wicomm is a leading systems integrator in the Asia Pacific region with presence in Malaysia and Philippines and associate offices in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Cambodia. Founded in 2010, Orissa Wicomm provides unparalleled energy, power, lightning prevention and remote monitoring solutions to the most demanding industries. Leveraging global experts, Orissa Wicomm helps organizations achieve their goal of reducing TCO and driving sustainable growth in an effective and innovative way. “We’ve always put our customers’ first, keeping in mind what is important to them and will continue to do that as we embark on new frontiers to expand our footprint regionally”, says Nallen Singhe CEO, Orissa Wicomm.
www.orissawicomm.com echo is an automated remote monitoring system for all passive tower infrastructure
aligning the new business with our own strategies and solutions,” he details. With this new expansion, edotco has the potential to surpass the 16,000 tower mark, further emphasising its leading market position in Southeast Asia.
Building a culture of delivery
Throughout its history, edotco has placed a concerted focus on its people in terms of both training and recruiting the right person for the job. “This is something we remain very passionate about and hope to continue selecting, where possible, local people into a melting pot of multicultural diversity who will ultimately benefit the Company and its future development goals,” Wan Zainal adds. Subsequently, edotco employees embody the customer-centric core principals and aspirations, helping to bring the best products and solutions
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MIZAN GROUP
...edotco worked closely with telecommunication and industrial power expert, Orissa Wicomm (M) Sdn. Bhd; a Company who shares edotco’s long-term view of creating sustainable power solutions...
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s a reputed company in the tower sector in Bangladesh, we have been working with Edotco Group since 2007, supplying 1,357 new towers since our partnership began. With our factory in Ashulia, near Dhaka, it is ideally situated for the production and supply to sites throughout Bangladesh. Our specialised engineers are responsible for the quality jobs at the factory and as well as fabrication at sites. We will hope to have excellent relations with the edotco Group for many years to come!
T +88 017 14109013 +88 018 41890890 E mizan2358@yahoo.com mizanconstruction@yahoo.com
www.mizangroup.com
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consider it done
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ELECTRO GROUP
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DOTCO, a large infrastructure development company in the telecom sector, is playing a vital role in introducing and changing the face of telecom infrastructure with its own innovative and futuristic developments. We at Electro Group feel proud to be a selective vendor for supply, installation & maintenance of generators and recently we have signed a 3 year contract for solar power systems with EDOTCO. We have also made steps forward to make a more stable version of the BTS power conditions by using of the Electro VRLA battery. We look forward to contributing more to EDOTCO in their future development. Syed Shafiqul Hassan Executive Director, Sales & Marketing Electro Group, Bangladesh
edotco constantly assesses the design of its towers to ensure they can be tailored for a specific site
to market, that meet the changing customer needs in telecommunications solutions. Sidhu explains: “Our people set us apart from traditional tower companies; they represent a critical aspect of value creation in our ‘economies of skill’ approach to business. We can leverage our panregional approach to build a culture of delivery and continuous innovation for our customers. “This is just one of the reasons why we intend to put in place the relevant certification trainings so that there is a clear, industry-recognisable, standard that we adhere to.” A customer-centric focus stretches throughout edotco’s partner development programme, which ultimately attracts best-in-class and likeminded international partners who are also eager to encourage improved connectivity, better energy solutions
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Our people set us apart from traditional tower companies; they represent a critical aspect of value creation in our ‘economies of skill’ approach to business
and new expansion opportunities. “We also look for local partners and vendors where possible to not only encourage local development and training, but to garner a better understanding of each country we operate in,” he adds. One such international partner is 9 Dots Consulting, who is working closely with edotco to deploy a new central enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution for the Group to be put in place in January. The solution will drive faster internal decision-making, improve workforce productivity and lower the cost of the Group’s ongoing IT expenditures. “So far, our partnership has been successful and we hope their good work continues long into the future,” says Wan Zainal.
Digitising Bangladesh
Aligning with the country’s vision of achieving a technologically advanced nation by 2021, edotco Bangladesh (BD) has focused on harnessing the
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Zass Telecom is one of the leading telecom vendor in Bangladesh, providing end-to-end telecom infrastructure turnkey solution to mobile & fixed phone companies.
Darryll Sinnappa, Managing Director, edotco Bangladesh
potential of renewable technologies and sustainable energy monitoring solutions to support the growth of its business across both rural and urban geographies. “Bangladesh is a nation developing at a steady pace, and our current investments follow our continued commitment to the country’s
• Operations & maintenance • Free cooling unit supply & installation (FCU) • Automatic fire protection system supply & installation (AFPS) • BTS & MW installation, testing & commissioning • BTS cabin shelter supply & installation • Civil construction works
Tel: +88018 22999097 / +88019 77777357 Landline: +880258815030 Fax: +880-28812359 / info@zasstel.com www.zasstel.com www.zassglobal.com House # 11/B (Rabbee House) Road # 96, Gulshan – 2, Dhaka – 1212
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and intelligent cooling systems are just some of the products we have introduced to the market, and we hope to play a big part in the future, throughout the nation.” Real-time monitoring via the echo system is one of edotco Group’s exclusive services, and is also the first of its kind to be provided to the tower services sector in Bangladesh. This technologically sophisticated system can monitor fuel levels, temperature, energy consumption, power systems, environmental conditions and other variables; addressing them before any cause for alarm occurs. “Our system is value-based, as opposed to the traditional alarm-based systems, which provides more value to our customers,” he further notes.
Building technical competence
In order to realise the dream that is known as ‘Digital Bangladesh’, it is a high necessity to preserve energy
communication needs; having invested US$180 million in the past year,” explains Darryll Sinnappa, Manging Director, edotco Bangladesh. Offering the same level of reliable and high quality integrated telecommunications infrastructure services Group-wide - including built-tosuit end-to-end solutions, co-locations, energy, operations and maintenance (O&M) and remote monitoring via its echo system - edotco BD is to invest a further US$100 million over the next two years to scale-up its already prominent local profile to remain ahead of the competition. “Currently edotco BD has more than 7,000 towers in its portfolio throughout the country, covering
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the seven divisions, 64 districts, 533 thanas and 4,575 unions. We are proud to have expanded to the most geographically-challenging locations, becoming the first to build towers in locations such as remote islands in coastal areas, border sites, hill tracts and so on,” he adds.
echo system
“In order to realise the dream that is known as ‘Digital Bangladesh’, it is a high necessity to preserve energy. This is something which edotco BD is focusing on by harnessing the potential of, and disseminating renewable energy technologies,” says Sinnappa. “Solar technology, lithium-ion batteries, wind turbines
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In a developing nation such as Bangladesh, strategic investments and monitoring of trends are two crucial factors that dictate future expansion. Therefore, edotco has to make sure that its investments facilitate the demands of the steadilyemerging middle-class and support pro-growth policies implemented by the Government. “We would like Bangladesh to be considered as our base for building technical competence across edotco’s entire regional footprint,” says Sinnappa. “By deploying a set of sustainable core competencies which derive from both our unique products and internal resources, we will make sure the relevant differentiators are in place to retain a competitive advantage. For example, in terms of our people, we will continue to maintain our current development programmes to enhance and optimise the nation’s resources.” Adaptability is another core competency in edotco’s repertoire that shows the Company’s ability to adjust and continually monitor its business performance, without jeopardising
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the accuracy and the quality of the overall procedures. “Adopting new technologies that maximise operational efficiencies, such as the echo system, adds incremental value to achieving the nation’s dream of a digitalised Bangladesh,” he details. The Managing Director summarises: “By continuing to increase the number of tenancies, to maximise economiesof-scale, edotco BD is targeting an overall boost to its performance to ultimately obtain the number one towerco position in the country.”
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“Moreover, edotco wants to play a key part in opening up opportunities for tower sharing across Southeast Asia, which will demonstrate our keenness to create quality partnerships and work in tandem with others, while remaining competitive in terms of our multi-service approach. In Malaysia, we have just launched our first multi-tenant cellularon-wheel under the brand name, edotco Mobility Solution eMOS.” Sidhu concludes: “Ultimately, we are targeting a multi-service, tower-centric approach without losing focus on the customer as the end-goal. Offering an Customer-centric solutions all-encompassing service was a logical Driven by its continuous aptitude for step for us to be able to expand the improvement across the board, edotco business and keep adding solutions has spent a considerable amount to our portfolio; offering a total of time optimising the design of its service solution while continuously towers and internal support processes innovating and working on continuous with the ultimate goal to provide a improvement to make a continued better product to the customer. impact across the countries in which Wan Zainal outlines: “Going forward, we operate. we hope to acquire new customers, “Customers change and we need create an even stronger customerto adapt to that, hence our approach centric mindset in our customer-facing to value-add and our keen focus on staff; while continuing to bring new sustainable energy solutions; which and innovative solutions to a growing will also come into play in terms of our number of countries. CSR focus heading into 2016.”
edotco has just launched its first multi-tenant cellular-on-wheel in Malaysia, under the brand name, eMOS
Group-wide CSR in 2016 In 2016, edotco is to adopt a Group-wide corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme; primarily drawn from its growing expertise in energy solutions, which will become the focal point for its investments in the local communities. “It is important that we address the wider challenges within each country that we operate through utilising our skills in telecommunications and the associated industries to make a big impact. Up until this point, we were involved in CSR on an ad-hoc basis and we are very pleased to now be evolving further into this space by channelling our excess energy generation back to the community,” highlights Wan Zainal.
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Aligning with Global
SMART ENER Ideologies This year, EDMI is to capitalise further on its smart meter success in the UK and Australia, bringing its latest advanced smart technology solutions to an increasing number of customers
consumption - utility providers around the world are looking for smarter ways to monitor usage patterns and pass more control onto the consumers. A year-on from our last interview with EDMI, and with smarter energy management solutions representing a key talking point at November 2015’s COP21 Climate Conference in Paris, customers are becoming more Writer: Emily Jarvis educated in energy efficiency every day and are similarly turning their attention Project Manager: Donovan Smith to utility suppliers for a cost-saving solution. EDMI has deployed 40 percent lobal smart metering of its smart meters to the high voltage solutions provider, EDMI, users in the transmission, distribution, has bolstered its leading and commercial & industrial (C&I) position in the smart markets. The Company has become metering market via a an integral part of the future of the strong response to growing customer world’s energy infrastructure market interest in smarter energy management. via a series of strategic partnerships and Building on its already strong collaborations. foundation, EDMI has successfully “Evolving into the software space accessed new revenue has very much been in streams by delivering reaction to customer more value across the demands,” says Chief retail, industrial, Operating Officer (COO), commercial and new How New Seng. “We energy segments. are exploring the ways With a growing global that EDMI can tap into appreciation of the this market and further value of energy among enhance our offering customers and energy to convert consumers investors alike - rising towards a smarter How New Seng, COO in tandem with higher future.”
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ABELON SYSTEMS
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belon Systems is a worldclass provider of embedded systems. Thanks to our unparalleled engineering expertise, intelligent approach and unwavering commitment, we supply bespoke solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each of our customers. From initial design to full product implementation Abelon is the first choice for many international blue-chip companies, SMEs and start-ups. Abelon have worked in partnership with EDMI since 2013, helping to create a family of leading-edge smart meters for customers in the energy industry around the globe from New Zealand to Europe and the UK. T +44 (0) 131 449 9173 E info@abelon.com
www.abelon.com EDMI successfully deployed one million smart meters in New Zealand and celebrated by inviting its customers to an internal event
Choice regulatory changes in Australia, and will see our cloud software used to help the country overcome some EDMI’s latest strategy will see the of its key energy consumption issues Company focus on rolling out its smart through a range of new solutions that energy software solutions, paying place more choice in the hands of the close attention to its deployment in the consumer; while allowing plenty of UK and Australia, where government room for us to continue to innovate initiatives are also capitalising on the the cloud software platform in the smart trend. future.” Leveraging its technically-skilled Australia teams and collaboration with In 2015, EDMI’s Australasian business likeminded partners, EDMI’s Energy reached a historic milestone Cloud solution demonstrates the agreement for the supply of EDMI Company’s continued understanding Energy Cloud software and related and compliance to the requirements services to Active Stream, an Australian set out by governments and various metering services business and wholly- industries; while supporting its ability owned subsidiary of AGL Energy to adapt the software to individual Limited. The agreement has cemented markets such as Australia. EDMI’s already strong presence in “The Power of Choice reforms the country, where the Company was will engender a more competitive founded more than thirty years ago. market structure, encouraging the How New Seng explains: “The development of new products and five-year deal was the first agreement services. While this provides additional signed in response to the Power of challenges for new players entering
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the market, EDMI’s past success in competitive markets internationally gives us confidence that it will play a key role in Australia’s smart energy management solutions,” he further details.
United Kingdom
EDMI’s movements in the UK market are very much driven by the Government’s target to install smart meters in every home by 2020. By this time, the aim is to have around 53 million smart meters fitted in approximately 30 million premises’ in Great Britain. “Being a part of the UK’s biggest national infrastructure project is a privilege and throughout the course of our investments here in the past few years, we have worked in partnership with many companies who share synergies with EDMI and understand the forward-looking, valueadd services needed to stand above the competition,” How New Seng highlights.
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Embedded Systems Specialists
Make our team part of yours www.abelon.com | info@abelon.com | (+44) (0) 131 449 9173
We’re Abelon Systems: flexible, no-fuss expertise. Just when you need it. From medical technology to sub-sea control systems, project managers rely on us when it absolutely needs to work, every time, without fail.
“We have used a number of companies who are supporting us along the way, assisting with the delivery of a standalone communications metering platform that embraces the next generation of smart meters, resulting in a more stable software architecture ensuring reliability for our clients,” he further adds. In addition to its communication focus in the UK, EDMI is on-track with its dual fuel model and delivery of a communications hub as part of the smart meter rollout. “Capitalising on the opportunities in the UK market over the past five years or so has been very exciting for us, given that we are a Singapore-based Company, and has served to increase the EDMI footprint,” How New Seng highlights.
Reinvestment
Confident that a move to further engage customers with products
Abelon Systems “UK-based Company, Abelon Systems, has been one of the many companies who are supporting us along the way, providing stable, agile and reliable embedded systems that meet the needs of our customers”
and services is the next step, EDMI’s end-to-end Energy Cloud solutions, including meters, communications and AMI systems have been well-received globally. Having already deployed six million IEC-standard smart meters around the world, EDMI is looking to expand its customer base among the more than 60 countries operating on IEC standards globally. “Keeping our finger on the pulse is only possible through our continual investment in, and dedication to, R&D, which fuels our strategic decisions in each market that we operate globally,” comments How New Seng. “For example, we released a new meter last year which further improves the overall accuracy levels of our consumption data. We are also working on ways to make our metering solutions more compact.” It was this dedication to advanced technologies that resulted in EDMI winning the Frost & Sullivan Company
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EDMI wins Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award in the Singapore Smart Meters Industry, 2015
of the Year Award in the Singapore Smart Meters Industry in 2015. The COO adds: “Essentially, it is about being able to be the best at tailoring a product to market needs by leveraging our own proven capabilities and experience globally to customise our solutions for each market and present them with cost-effective pricing.”
Asia-Pacific and beyond
A year ago in native Singapore, EDMI was in the process of installing 45,000 smart meters for the prestigious Singapore Power; a figure that has since been increased by a further 7,000, on its way to the Company’s goal to deliver 62,500.
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“We will continue to participate in the residential market as part of a long-term strategy that will see us further collaborate with other energy companies to bring the best smart energy solutions to our home market,” says How New Seng. Similarly, EDMI hopes to utilise this model to explore opportunities across the residential sector in the Asia-Pacific region and in Africa. “These are big markets that we must investigate. In order to access these markets, it is critical to align our business with the cultural differences and differing requirements to find the appropriate route to market and provide the best solution to our customers’ needs,” he explains.
62,500
“A year ago in native Singapore, EDMI was in the process of installing 45,000 smart meters for the prestigious Singapore Power; a figure that has since been increased by a further 7,000, on its way to the Company’s goal to deliver 62,500” Backed by the strength of its international investors, EDMI has the flexibility in its business model to access the energy markets in these countries and continue on its growth path. The COO concludes: “Yearon-year, we continue to invest in research and development to make sure that our solution remains as relevant as possible in each market. Our ability to adapt has been well-received, with a good vote of confidence from our customers globally.”
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W O R L D R E TA I L C O N G R E S S
E V E N T
F O C U S
Attracting and engaging the modern customer RETAILING IS CHANGING faster and more dramatically than anyone has ever known. The development of ecommerce and mobile commerce has started a process of transformation that will lead to a completely different retail business model with many new entrants. We are only at the beginning of this age of change.
2016 will mark the 10th World Retail Congress. Since its launch, the Congress has been at the very heart of the industry’s discussions about the future shape of retailing. In those few years, retailing has had to adapt and survive a global recession, keep pace with the development of major new markets such as China and India and now ensure that they remain relevant in this digital age. The Congress theme for 2016 will focus on retailing’s ultimate disruptor and driver of change. It is
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not technology or new competitors; it is the customer. Consumers are forcing the pace of change through the adoption of new technology, by rejecting old brand loyalties and shopping habits in favour of channels and services that suit today’s lifestyles and budgets. In a world full of choice and channels, how can retailers truly connect with their consumer in a meaningful way? Focusing on retailing in Asia, the session titled, ‘The New China: Understanding and Manoeuvring a Different Retail Landscape’ will see Lucy Wu, Vice President, China Chain Store & Franchise Association and Yan Zhang, Co-Founder & CEO, Yetang share their insights on how the current Chinese retail climate affects the industry as a whole. The World Retail Congress will be held at the five-star Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from 12-14 April. It will bring together more than 1,000 global retail and industry leaders, delivering an unrivalled programme focussed around insight, innovation and high-
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level discussions. It will continue to host onsite events including the Hall of Fame, Future Retail Challenge, Innovation Hub and the World Retail Awards. Register now to reserve your place with the retail elite.
WHEN: 12-14 April, 2016 WHERE: Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai CONTACT: info@worldretailcongress.com Tel: +44 (0) 203 033 2020 REGISTER: www.worldretailcongress.com
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
For progressive retailers to keep updated on current trends and changes, there is no better forum. ANDREW JENNINGS | GLOBAL RETAIL ADVISOR
Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
YOU’RE INVITED TO ATTEND WORLD RETAIL CONGRESS 2016 Join us as the World Retail Congress celebrates its 10th edition at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on 12-14 April, 2016. Annually, the Congress attracts 1,000+ senior retail leaders spanning 60+ countries, operating across all major retail sectors. It’s set to be ground-breaking, with representatives from Levi’s, Marks & Spencer, Furla, LVMH, Mulberry, Disney, Google and the legendary Tommy Hilfiger and Jo Malone in attendance. Taking as its theme; Attracting and engaging with the modern customer, secure your place with the industry elite for three days of insight and networking as you help shape the direction of retail.
Book your place today and save 15%. Use the code OUTLOOK16 at checkout. W: www.worldretailcongress.com T: +44(0)20 3033 2020
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E V E N T
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MIFB: The new horizon of food & beverage business THE 17TH MALAYSIAN International Food & Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB 2016) is Malaysia’s longest running food industry event. It will be held from 27-29 July, 2016 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), welcoming close-to 15,000 visitors. To ingrain further the food & beverage industry locally and internationally, MIFB 2016 is set to bring exhibitors and buyers to a whole new horizon with specialised sectors focusing on food & beverage, seafood and food technology. MIFB 2016 becomes the vital role in providing its stakeholders a unique platform with numerous possibilities, at the same time working in tandem with the economic growth and demands in Malaysia. Welcoming 2016, MIFB will once again play host to two concurrent events in the food & beverage supply chain.
FOODTECH 2016
Connecting food and technology
The 7th International F&B Machinery, Packaging & Service Solutions Exhibition is a focused trade fair serving the food manufacturing industry in Malaysia. Food technology plays a vital role to ensure quality of food in order to achieve a massive scale to meet the demands of the increasing world population. FoodTech 2016 will be featured within the same hall as MIFB 2016 with an array of machinery, packaging and food technology solutions.
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Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
S&F Asia 2016
The innovative world of seafood
The 2nd Asian Seafood & Fishery, Raw & Processed Produce, Technology and Supply Chain Solution Trade Fair has more quality and sophisticated products than ever before. Malaysia is an important market for producers and trading of fish and fishery products in the region. As one of the world’s rapidly growing food production systems, seafood is one of the most important sources of protein. Seafood products have now become the most traded commodity in international and domestic markets, with Asia-Pacific countries being both the major suppliers and consumers. The possibilities for Malaysia’s seafood market will be catered for at MIFB 2016; as a large gathering of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors showcase their seafood products and are eager to export to new countries and clients.
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EVENT
DETAILS
WHEN: 27-29 July, 2016 WHERE: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia CONTACT: mifb@sphereexhibits.com.my Tel: +603 7989 1133 REGISTER: www.mifb.com.my
ISLAMIC BANKING & INVESTMENT ASIA/MIDDLE EAST CONGRESS 2016
E V E N T
F O C U S
Responding to headwinds and refreshing the vision for Islamic finance The Middle East and Asia continue to be the most vibrant and developed markets for Islamic finance. The established centres, as well as new frontier markets across these two regions, continue to create exciting growth opportunities for the Islamic finance industry. U N D E R T H E A U S P I C E S of H.H. Islamic finance to enable an innovative Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, dialogue that seeks to connect Special Envoy, Kingdom of Bahrain players to explore a fresh vision for and Patron of the Islamic Banking & the industry and navigate new crossInvestment Asia/Middle East Congress, border opportunities. 2016 focuses on bringing together the New insights, new ideas leading players from the two regions The Congress has a unique and to explore, engage and showcase innovative format that combines both the sectoral and traditional speaker-driven geographic opportunities sessions with highly that are emerging from interactive and forwarda wave of increasingly looking discussions that strong attention; from blend the perspectives of mainland China, to new industry leaders with the initiatives in Indonesia, out-of-the-box insights of as well as high-potential H.H. Sheikh Salman Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa visionary thinkers. sectors such as marine, ‘Imagineering the Future’ energy and the SME is a highly innovative session market. which comprises a series of Connecting markets satellite sessions featuring out-of-the-box forwardThe purpose of the Congress is to provide looking visionaries from a fresh and exciting beyond the traditional new platform that confines of the Islamic will bring together finance industry. These David McLean, President, Ethico Live innovators will kick-start industry leaders from roundtable discussions, across the key markets for
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while the interactions between audience and panel will be moderated by an expert facilitator and the outputs will be captured via unique infographic representations in real-time.
EVENT
DETAILS
WHEN: 5-6 April, 2016 WHERE: Intercontinental Singapore REGISTER:
http://www.ethicolive.com/events/ islamicbankingsingapore/register.html
Islamic Banking & Investment Asia/Middle East Congress 2016 Convening the Conversation Navigating Opportunities Connecting Markets
5th & 6th April 2016, Intercontinental Singapore N Islamic Banking
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Asia Middle East Congress 2016 Convening the Conversation Navigating Opportunities Connecting Markets
Responding to Headwinds & Refreshing the Vision for Islamic Finance
Special Keynote Address
H.H. Sheikh Salman Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
Special Envoy - Kingdom of Bahrain and Patron of the Islamic Banking & Investment Asia/Middle East Congress 2016
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