
Trillions to be unlocked in sustainable investment opportunities in Asia
Asia’s robust economic fundamentals present significant opportunities for scaling financing into sustainable development projects, even amid geopolitical headwinds and trade tensions, said policy and business leaders at the inaugural Hong Kong edition of Unlocking capital for sustainability. Against the backdrop of increasing global polarisation and accelerating climate change, Asia […]

Trump’s tariff: A test to Malaysia’s trade resilience
Dr Paul Anthony Maria Das is a Senior Lecturer for the School of Accounting and Finance at Taylor’s Business School, Faculty of Business and Law, Taylor’s University. Taylor’s Business School is the leading private business school in Southeast Asia for Business and Management Studies based on the 2025 QS World […]

Smarter growth, lower risk: Rethinking how new factories are built
A tailored, thoughtful combination of cutting-edge technologies, stronger contracting skills, and deep supply chain capabilities can get a new factory up and running—without costly delays. Today’s environment is giving manufacturers even more reasons to reassess their footprint strategies. For some, localisation of production may now seem increasingly attractive—particularly amid rising volatility […]

Zenno Astronautics and ANA Trading rollout superconducting space technologies in Japan
New Zealand-headquartered Zenno Astronautics (Zenno), the space superconductor company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ANA Trading to deploy Zenno’s superconducting technologies for space applications in the Japanese market. ANA Trading is a member of ANA Group, Japan’s leading airline group. With the slogan “Next Stop, Space”, ANA Group has […]

Countries successfully growing their manufacturing – and what they are doing right
From Brazil to Singapore, here’s how six countries are rethinking manufacturing. From the climate crisis and geopolitical headwinds to next-generation technologies, a series of complex challenges are rewriting the rulebook for global value chains. Against this backdrop, what are manufacturers and supply chain companies doing to ensure their operations are […]

Masdar City’s Net-Zero Model Sets Sustainability Benchmark, but AI Holds Key for Aging Cities, Experts Claim
A new white paper from Masdar City highlights the UAE’s leadership in net-zero urban development. Energy experts say that net-zero strategies could also be applied to most cities worldwide, even when the biggest challenge is in retrofitting old existing buildings. Built as a purpose-driven net-zero city, Masdar eliminates the need […]

How manufacturers can adapt to workforce changes through flexible working environments
Liam Merrick, sales engineer, ECI Solutions New Zealand’s manufacturing sector faces a significant challenge amid an ongoing skills and labour shortage. The Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) reports that 71 per cent of employers can’t find skilled people, an increase from 40 per cent in 2022, and 90 per cent […]

From Survive to Thrive: FMCG Strategies for Growth and Profitability in 2025
Chris Foord, Partner, Argon & Co New Zealand As we look forward to 2025 the outlook for business and NZ are improving. Many businesses in 2024 were focused on the “survive till 2025” mindset, controlling costs and avoiding discretionary spend. Very few though forgot about the consumer/customer and the need […]

How to build the skills needed for the age of AI
AI is changing how we work and what skills workers need to thrive in a world of intelligent machines and cognitive computing. Only a sliver of education initiatives are devoted to AI and these are not yet integrated into most education systems. Collaborative initiatives between education and industry can accelerate […]

BW Converting launches e-learning platform for enhanced customer training
New online training solution complements on-site training, offers flexible learning options and helps customers manage workforce challenges BW Converting has launched an e-learning platform aimed at transforming customer training across its entire brand portfolio. Designed to provide flexibility and support operational efficiency, this online resource allows customers to access detailed […]
Clearing the Way: Accelerating Industry 4.0 Adoption through Global Benchmarking
Adam Sharman, Senior Partner, Dsifer Introduction As organisations look for productivity gains, competitive advantages in agility scalability and sustainability, more and more are looking to technology to support, augment or accelerate their operations. A recent report from Westpac identified that, whilst digital tech adoption is growing, New Zealand’s manufacturers have […]
Securing the Smart Factory
Attributed to: Alex Nehmy, Field Chief Security Officer, Critical Industries, Japan & Asia Pacific, Palo Alto Networks The incredibly competitive manufacturing industry has evolved from labour-intensive manual processes to progressively more intelligent systems driven by the computing power of the digital revolution. Even more so with the supply chain shifts […]
CT Semiconductor Inaugurates ATP Chip Semiconductor Training Center
HANOI, Vietnam. On October 1st, 2024, The ATP Semiconductor Chip Technician Training Center CT Semiconductor (a member of CT Group) was officially inaugurated and commenced operations at the National Innovation Center (NIC) in Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, Hanoi. The ATP Semiconductor Chip Technician Training Center at NIC is part of CT Semiconductor’s broader activities, which include the establishment of three OSAT plants (two in the South and one in the North), two R&D centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, notably, two customer service centers in Silicon Valley and Phoenix, Arizona. Experienced engineers from various countries will provide specialized training for key personnel through a “Train the Trainer” program focused on semiconductor chip assembly, testing, and packaging. These engineers and final-year electronics students will be equipped to master ATP technology. One key feature is that interns will gain hands-on experience with the latest chip inspection machines and become familiar with different types of chips. This initiative is a practical step toward realising the plan to develop 10 OSAT plants in Vietnam, in line with Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1018/QD-TTg, which outlines the strategy for developing Vietnam’s semiconductor industry, issued on September 21, 2024. What sets CT Semiconductor apart is its independent technology approach, with a comprehensive foundation starting from ATP specialist training, which serves OSAT companies, R&D, and production under the 4.0 model. On this occasion, CT Semiconductor also introduced the AMB5600 semiconductor circuit and component testing machine, aimed at supporting research and training at the center. This is the first chip testing machine to be integrated into a training system in Vietnam. The leader of CT Semiconductor stated: “Only by mastering technology and attracting global talent can Vietnamese semiconductor industry develop sustainably and avoid the pitfalls of merely following trends and seeking FDI for reporting purposes. Twenty years […]