For every company that thrives in a foreign market, probably five companies stumble. The complexities of entering a foreign market can result in many strategic mistakes and missteps. Even businesses that eventually "win" in a geographic region can teeter on the edge for years.
Retailers must put procedures in place to protect the long-term health of their businesses and ensure security concerns are a central part of their omnichannel strategies, according to a new industry report.
Transnational infrastructure programs, such as cross-border railway networks and electricity distribution systems, can increase regional trade, prosperity, stability and integration. That is part of the rationale of the Priority Action Plan of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA PAP), encompassing 51 programs and with an investment need of $68bn up to the year 2020. Such programs face formidable challenges, however.
Global automobile production will increase by 21 million units by 2021, and has grown by 25 million units since 2009 as the industry continues to recover from the impact of the global economic recession, according to a forecast by IHS Automotive, part of IHS Inc. China will dominate, but there is a considerable upside attached to the North American industry as it attracts foreign investment, and in the European industry as its domestic markets climb back. Japanese and South Korean production will decline as local OEMs focus their efforts overseas.
Chainalytics has taken over Sydney-based Logiworx, a partner since 2009 in several supply chain management projects in the Asia-Pacific region. With the acquisition, Chainalytics gains expertise in verticals such as mining, metals, oil and gas, as well as extending capacity in supply management and procurement of direct and indirect materials.
The interests of the air cargo industry are getting short-changed in the UK, according to Chris Welsh, director of global and European policy at the Freight Transport Association.
For the first time since 2001, Moody's has assigned a rating of "stable" to the global ocean cargo industry, but notes that the condition of world shipping remains delicate and a "negative" rating could return.