Strategic Sourcing and Working Capital in a Reimagined World
Strategic sourcing is a boardroom-level priority. Beyond being a procurement function, it is a critical lever in working capital optimisation. Strategies from the old playbook do not work anymore. Geopolitical disruptions, inflation shocks, and the resurgence of trade nationalism have impacted traditional supply chains. Tariffs are volatile. Regulatory regimes are seeing shifts. Currency markets are […]
Malaysia’s Strategic Role in the Future of Global Value Chains
If there is one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic taught us, it is how quickly trends can change and how critical it is to adapt. The post-pandemic era brought about transformative shifts across industries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), strategically positioning Malaysia as a key beneficiary. Across ASEAN, I have since seen […]
Dynamic Discounting: A Win-Win for Buyers and Suppliers
When we think about strengthening supply chains, the conversation often turns to financing. Dynamic discounting is one of those financing tools that benefits both sides of a transaction: buyers and suppliers. Under such programmes, buyers offer their suppliers early payment on invoices in exchange for discounts. For buyers, this can be a game changer. They […]
Transforming Procurement with AI and Digital Innovation
Procurement today is not just about cost savings—it is about resilience, speed, and informed decision-making involving hundreds, even thousands, of suppliers. It’s imperative that procurement teams stay updated on global developments such as supply chain disruptions, geopolitical risks, or natural disasters. In this piece, I share my views on how artificial intelligence (AI), large language […]
Trade Finance Trends 2025: Resilience & Growth
Key highlights: 2024 started with significant challenges and shifts in trade and supply chain finance. High interest rates and persistent inflation ruled a large part of the year, with central banks worldwide tightening their grip on monetary policies to stabilise economies. Political tensions continued to plague the year – the conflict between Ukraine and Russia […]
Hong Kong Trade Technology: Securing the Future
Hong Kong has been a major player in international business operations and trade for over two decades now. The ease of setting up businesses and creating avenues for goods and payment transfers in Asia’s World City has made it a dynamic link between the east and the west. Hong Kong’s total trade accounted for a […]
Mitigating ESG Risk in Supply Chains with Digital Platforms
The Modern ESG Landscape: From Awareness to Alarm Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) awareness has come a long way from the days when the term was narrowly associated with deforestation, animal testing or the ozone layer. Today, the scope of ESG spans far and wide, capturing issues ranging from labour standards to diversity, indigenous communities, […]
Managing China Plus One Risks with Digitisation
Rarely a day goes by these days without a news event that carries significant implications for the global supply chain. After decades of successful globalisation, this comfortable arrangement is being tested with such worrying frequency in recent years that many companies are reconsidering their supply chain strategies. Even before the outbreak of COVID19, rising US-China […]
EV Supply Chain Finance: A CFO’s Guide
The CFO’s Tightrope: Juggling Investment and Profitability As the automotive industry accelerates towards an electric future, CFOs are playing a pivotal role in strategically financing the shift from traditional combustion engines to electric vehicles (EVs). It is an undertaking that demands them to juggle substantial upfront investments while ensuring the bottom line remains viable even […]
India’s ESG Regulations for Supply Chain Accountability
Businesses around the world are transitioning to long-term sustainability goals focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations. India has spent the last year keeping pace with new guidelines that mirror these international standards. These include the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI’s) expansion of its ESG reporting framework and the Reserve Bank of […]