Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Stocks fail to sustain 2-month high

    Stocks fail to sustain 2-month high

    Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index fell 0.09% to 1,272.87 points Thursday, after hitting a two-month peak in the previous session.

    The index closed 1.2 points lower after gaining 13.68 points in the previous session.

    Trading on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange decreased dropped 27% to VND18.8 trillion (US$739 million).

    SSB of SeABank dropped 2%, followed by BVH of insurance company Bao Viet Holdings with a 1.9% decline.

    MWG of electronics retail chain Mobile World dropped 1.1% and VRE of retail real estate arm Vincom Retail closed 0.9% lower.

    Eleven blue chips gained, led by six banks.

    VIB of Vietnam International Commercial Bank posted the largest increase at 2.9%, followed by STB of Ho Chi Minh City-based lender Sacombank, up 2.3%.

    Foreign investors were net sellers to the tune of VND365 billion.

    They mainly net sold VCB of state-owned lender Vietcombank and FPT of IT giant FPT Corporation.

    The HNX-Index for stocks on the Hanoi Stock Exchange, home to mid and small caps, rose 0.04%, while the UPCoM-Index for the Unlisted Public Companies Market dropped 0.19%.

    Asia shares eased in holiday-thinned trade on Thursday, paring some of their gains from earlier in the week, while the dollar rose alongside U.S. Treasury yields.

    As the year-end approaches, trading volumes have begun thinning out and the main focus for investors remains that of the Federal Reserve’s rate outlook. Markets in Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand were closed for a holiday on Thursday.

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  • Keppel, Sovico Plan Vietnam-Singapore Subsea Cable Project

    Keppel, Sovico Plan Vietnam-Singapore Subsea Cable Project

    Currently, there are four operational submarine cable systems linking Vietnam to the rest of the world: AAE-1, AAG, TGN-IA, and APG. The SEA-ME-WE 3 cable system previously connected with Vietnam, however, it was retired in early December.

    Three new cables are under construction to connect Vietnam: ADC, ALC, and SJC2. Moreover, Viettel and Singtel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to construct the Vietnam-Singapore Cable System (VTS).

    Vietnam has experienced frequent internet disruptions due to faults in its underwater cables. For instance, both the APG and AAE-1 cables are currently not functioning and awaiting repairs. In June, three out of five undersea cables connecting Vietnam to the world (APG, AAE-1, and TGN-IA) encountered issues, causing internet speed reductions across the country. The repair of the AAE-1 cable is still pending. In January 2023, four out of five undersea cables (AAG, IA, APG, and AAE-1) were not operational, leading to slow internet speeds across Vietnam.

    In January 2024, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued Decision 36/QD-TTg (Decision 36), approving Vietnam’s Digital Infrastructure Master Plan 2030. According to this plan, Vietnam aims to add two-to-four international internet cables by 2025 and another four-to-six international undersea fiber optic cables by 2030.

    Furthermore, by 2030, Vietnam plans to increase the total number of submarine cables to 15, each with a total capacity of at least 334 Tbps. Sovico Group will focus on providing high-quality products and services in various sectors to meet customer needs and integrate with the global economy. In September, Sovico Group signed an MoU with U.S.-based tech company, Supermicro, to develop a hyperscale data center in Vietnam.

    According to SCMP, Keppel and Sovico Group are considering laying a cable that will directly connect Vietnam with Singapore, predicted to cost an estimated USD 150 million.

    The new projects led by Keppel and Sovico Group will be separate from previous investments announced by Vietnamese companies in four new undersea cables. These include the ADC and SJC2 cables, built by Japan’s NEC; ALC, built by China’s HMN Tech; and the Vietnam-Singapore submarine cable system announced by Vietnam’s Viettel and Singapore’s Singtel.

    Given its proximity to China, Vietnam faces challenges in aligning with the U.S. on strategies and policies related to digital infrastructure and undersea cables.

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  • L’Oreal acquires South Korea’s Dr.G in skincare deal with Migros

    L’Oreal acquires South Korea’s Dr.G in skincare deal with Migros

    French cosmetics giant L’Oreal said on Monday it had agreed to buy Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, which includes South Korean skincare brand Dr.G., from Swiss retailer Migros.

    The Korean beauty market is dominated by local brands known for being among the world’s most innovative, and increasingly popular overseas as part of a trend for ‘K-Beauty’.

    Dr.G will meet rising demand for K-Beauty and effective yet affordable skincare, L’Oreal said in a statement, adding that it has a growing pan-Asian presence and global growth potential.

    “We have been following the brand and its success for many years and we look forward to accelerating its growth in South Korea and the rest of the world,” said Alexis Perakis-Valat, global president of L’Oréal’s consumer products division.

    Reuters reported on Friday that L’Oreal and Migros were in final talks on a deal. Migros announced a strategic review of its Mibelle cosmetics group in February, saying it wanted to find a new home for the owner of Gowoonsesang and other brands.

    L’Oreal did not give a valuation for the deal, which comes amid a slowdown in China, previously one of the fastest-growing beauty markets.

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  • E-commerce market soars to $25B

    E-commerce market soars to $25B

    Vietnam’s e-commerce market surpassed US$25 billion this year after growing by 20% from 2023 and exceeding earlier estimates.

    Online remains a key distribution channel, especially for agricultural products during harvest season, and businesses have achieved a breakthrough by leveraging e-commerce, according to a report by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

    It valuation of the e-commerce market places Vietnam in the third place in Southeast Asia behind Indonesia ($65 billion) and Thailand ($26 billion), and also exceeded an earlier estimate of $22 billion by Google and its partners.

    E-commerce accounted for 60% of Vietnam’s digital economy this year, and is a key growth pillar along with online tourism.

    Other sectors that contributed to the digital economy were ride-hailing and food delivery and online media.

    The top e-commerce platforms are Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada, Tiki, and Sendo, with new ones such as Temu and Shein trying to move in on the market this year.

    The ministry said e-commerce models are becoming increasingly complex and diverse, and admitted a legal framework to regulate them is lacking.

    For instance, it pointed out, live-stream sales are currently governed by general e-commerce regulations, which treats them as a combination of advertising and sales activities.

    But there are no specific rules for live-stream sellers, account identification or the supervision of information during live sessions, it said.

    The proliferation of counterfeit and substandard goods remains a big challenge, particularly as online violations grow more sophisticated, it said.

    Managing cross-border activities poses difficulties due to inadequate regulations, enabling platforms like Temu and Shein to enter Vietnam without completing legal procedures, it said.

    This lack of oversight allows goods from other countries to enter Vietnam, affecting domestic producers, it said.

    It called for the passage of an E-Commerce Law to enhance government oversight, especially of cross-border platforms.

    Vietnam has nearly 725,000 vendors on e-commerce platforms, with these vendors’ total transactions exceeding VND75 trillion (US$2.95 billion), according to data from 439 platforms submitted to tax authorities.

    Taxes on e-commerce activities increased by 20% in 2024 to VND116 trillion.

  • Durian exports surge by 44% to $3.1B

    Durian exports surge by 44% to $3.1B

    Durian exports in the first 11 months of this year fetched US$3.1 billion, 44% up from a year earlier, customs data shows.

    China was the biggest market, accounting for $2.8 billion, or 90% of all exports, a 43% year-on-year increase.

    Thailand followed with $177 million, up 82%, while Hong Kong and Japan stepped up purchases by 16% and 85%. Shipments to Cambodia rose by 139 times to $3 million.

    Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said 2024 has been a bumper year for exports, especially of durian.

    The association estimated fruit and vegetable exports would hit $7.1 billion for the year, up 27% from 2023, with durian accounting for half the value.

    Durian exports are expected to rise next year as Vietnam begins to ship durian pulp and puree to China.

    These products will bring more value than fresh durian, helping farmers make use of fruits that meet quality standards but are misshapen.

    Vietnam has around 154,000 hectares under durian and produces 1.2 million tons of the fruit annually.

    Exports of other fruits such as banana, jackfruit, mango, and coconut have also seen year-on-year increases of 20-400% in the first 11 months.

  • Two new ride-hailing platforms set to launch in Singapore in 2025

    Two new ride-hailing platforms set to launch in Singapore in 2025

    Two ride-hailing platforms, namely Geolah and Trans-cab Services, will begin operations in Singapore next year.

    They have received one-year provisional licenses that allow them to provide ride-hailing services, the city-state’s Land Transport Authority said on Monday.

    The new brands will join the five other ride-hailing platforms currently on the market, namely Grab, Ryde, TADA, Gojek and CDG Zig.

    Trans-cab Services, established in 2003 in Singapore, is the city-state’s third-largest taxi operator with a fleet of 2,079 taxis as of October, trailing Comfort (6,388) and CityCab (2,136).

    A Trans-cab spokesperson informed The Business Times that the company is preparing to launch its ride-hailing platform, which is “nearing completion,” without announcing a specific launch date.

    Geolah, founded in 2020, is a Singapore-based mobility platform powered by artificial intelligence. Its smartphone application of the same name will offer ride-hailing services in addition to its current limousine bookings and parcel delivery services.

    Its smartphone app, also named Geolah, will expand to include ride-hailing services alongside its existing limousine booking and parcel delivery options.

    The company stated that it operated in a “beta phase” for two weeks last February and now has 900 registered drivers.

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  • Grab, Gojek to hike fees in Singapore by up to 37 cents

    Grab, Gojek to hike fees in Singapore by up to 37 cents

    Ride-hailing operators Grab, Gojek, TADA and CDG Zig in Singapore will hike their platform fees by up to 50 Singapore cents (37 U.S. cents) starting Jan. 1, 2025.

    Grab, the largest ride-hailing firm, will raise its platform fee from 70 cents to 90 cents per trip. For its food, groceries and parcel delivery services, fees will go up from 40 cents to 60 cents.

    It said the new “platform & partner fee” will support Central Provident Fund contributions, work injury compensation coverage and other welfare initiatives for its platform workers, as well as platform maintenance and service improvements.

    Similarly, Gojek will raise its platform fee from 30 cents to 50 cents per trip, saying these changes are to “protect drivers and their earnings in support of the Bill” on top of improving and maintaining its services.

    ComfortDelGro, the largest taxi operator in Singapore, will follow suit and raise its platform fee from the current rate of 70 cents to S$1-1.2, based on factors such as distance and travel time.

    As for TADA, fees per ride will go up by 50 cents, excluding goods and services tax. It noted that besides maintaining current features and developing new ones to provide a better ride-hailing experience, this adjustment is also essential to support the implementation of the government’s Platform Workers Bill.

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  • AIS’s Strategic Vision for Empowering 5G with Autonomous Networks

    AIS’s Strategic Vision for Empowering 5G with Autonomous Networks

    At the 2024 Mobile Broadband Forum, Wasit Wattanasap, Head of Nationwide Operations and Support Business Unit, AIS, presented the company’s vision for integrating AI and advanced network orchestration within 5G frameworks, setting the stage for seamless, intelligent, and highly scalable telecom infrastructure.

    AIS’s approach centers on transforming network layers, from service orchestration to integrating AI-driven insights. This architecture, designed to optimize performance, reliability, and adaptability, places AIS at the forefront of a 5G-driven, AI-enhanced telecom landscape.

    AIS is leveraging advanced cognitive technologies to lead the digital transformation in telecom, focusing on AI, machine learning (ML), 5G, and autonomous networks to enhance operational efficiency and create innovative customer experiences. The company’s strategy in the mobile segment revolves around 5G monetization, where AIS aims to generate new revenue streams by offering premium services, experiences, connected vehicles, and innovative city applications, fully utilizing the low-latency and high-speed capabilities of 5G. AIS is also focusing on digital differentiation, offering personalized mobile experiences through AI that provide dynamic services and tailored content recommendations, ensuring an engaging and relevant customer experience.

    The company has set its sights on quality acquisition in the fixed broadband space by using AI-driven analytics to optimize service delivery, ensuring high performance and a seamless user experience. This approach includes predictive maintenance and customized broadband solutions. AIS is also introducing innovative broadband products, such as smart home integrations, gigabit internet, and 5G fixed wireless access (FWA), providing flexibility and high-speed connectivity in areas lacking traditional broadband infrastructure.

    Moreover, AIS is supporting the digital transformation of enterprise solutions by enabling enterprises to modernize their operations with AI, IoT, and cloud-based services, helping businesses embrace Industry 4.0 technologies. To achieve this, AIS offers enhanced connectivity for enterprises, providing reliable, high-speed 5G solutions to support mission-critical applications and ensure seamless operation.

    The backbone of AIS’s strategy lies in its data insights and customer care. By applying advanced analytics, AIS can predict and resolve customer service issues before they arise, improving satisfaction. AI-driven interactions facilitate seamless engagement, whether it be through chatbots, apps, or virtual assistants, offering a personalized customer journey.

    AIS is also enhancing agility, stability, and security in its operations. AI-driven IT intelligence continuously monitors and optimizes network performance, allowing AIS to respond quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs. In terms of security, AIS employs AI to detect and neutralize threats in real time, ensuring a secure environment for both consumers and enterprise clients.

    With autonomous networks powered by AI and ML, AIS aims to improve network reliability by enabling self-healing and self-optimizing systems. These autonomous networks automate operational tasks such as network provisioning and fault resolution, reducing costs while ensuring high-quality service even during peak traffic

    In terms of generative AI (GenAI), AIS is exploring new business models and customer experiences. AIS remains ahead of the competition by using AI to generate new product designs, service packages, and predictive insights into customer behavior. Generative AI also enhances customer interactions by delivering personalized content and recommendations in real time.

    Leading Thailand’s 5G-Advanced Transformation

    Wattanasap’s presentation emphasized that AIS is leading the way in 5G-Advanced technology in Thailand. It aims to redefine connectivity with a robust, autonomous network that presents new business opportunities and enhances customer experiences. By shifting from traditional traffic monetization to experience-driven models, AIS uses 5G’s ultra-low latency, high speed, and massive connectivity to offer personalized services like VR/AR, gaming, and smart city solutions. This approach allows AIS to create dynamic, tiered service offerings and monetize 5G traffic based on customer behavior.

    AIS’s strategy also maximizes 5G coverage across all frequency bands, ensuring reliable service in urban and remote areas. With the evolution from L3 to L4 network automation, AIS integrates self-healing and AI-driven decision-making, providing excellent reliability and cost efficiency as it scales its 5G network.

    In 2024, AIS is leading the way in Thailand by introducing the country’s first 3CC carrier aggregation and repurposing the 2.1 GHz spectrum for 5G, enhancing network capacity, and boosting speeds. The successful completion of the mmWave Gbps trials further positions AIS to provide ultra-fast, high-bandwidth connectivity in high-demand areas, enabling innovative services like cloud gaming and intelligent manufacturing.

    AIS also enhances customer care by integrating AI solutions that proactively predict and resolve issues, improving service efficiency and satisfaction. The company is transforming its operations with predictive analytics and automation, ensuring seamless customer support as it scales its 5G network.

    Living Network: Real-Time, AI-Driven 5G Experiences

    AIS’s Care Growth strategy focuses on creating a “Living Network” that adapts in real time to customer needs, offering on-demand 5G services powered by AI and machine learning (ML). By analyzing user behavior, network conditions, and service quality in real time, the network can automatically adjust to optimize experiences, such as prioritizing bandwidth for high-value users or enhancing quality for streaming and gaming.

    AIS also uses AI to promote 5G acceleration packages tailored to users’ needs, offering relevant services, improving customer acquisition, and increasing 5G adoption. The network identifies high-value users and adjusts bandwidth allocation dynamically to ensure seamless service, even during peak times.

    Utilizing experience-driven marketing, AIS can offer 5G packages instantly, boosting penetration rates and enhancing ARPU through personalized add-on packages that address users’ real-time needs. The system ensures differentiated experiences, guaranteeing low latency, high speed, and secure customer connectivity.

    Care Strategy: Liquid Network for Enhanced User Experience

    AIS’s Liquid Network Experience enhances user satisfaction by leveraging dynamic network management practices at the L3 and L4 stages.

    At the L3 stage, AIS handles burst events, cell outages, and traffic surges by adjusting capacity in real time, ensuring seamless connectivity during peak periods. This proactive approach improves customer satisfaction by over 10% and reduces churn through intelligent traffic compensation.

    At the L4 stage, AIS predicts network demand using AI-driven analytics, optimizing coverage and capacity minutes in advance to maintain service quality during high-traffic events. This predictive approach boosts user experience by up to 20%, ensuring stable connections even during congestion.

    AIS also compensates users during traffic floods, such as those prevalent in Chiang Mai, by rerouting traffic and offering faster speeds or extra data. This flexibility strengthens customer trust and loyalty.

    L4 Architecture Evolution: AI, Automation, and Customer Focus

    AIS is transforming its network operations with a robust L4 architecture to integrate AI, automation, and advanced data management. This transformation enhances customer service, workforce efficiency, and network optimization across three core layers—business, service, and core data.

    In the business layer, AIS employs the 2C (customer-centric), 2H (human-centric), and 2B (business-centric) framework. Customer-focused improvements aim to enhance user satisfaction through real-time fault management and AI-powered responsive support. Workforce optimization tools streamline field operations while enhanced business service orchestration and API-driven monetization support business growth.

    The service layer focuses on real-time network and resource management. Key elements include AI-powered fault detection, automated service orchestration, and workforce management, ensuring optimal resource use and service continuity. An integrated API Gateway facilitates seamless communication across systems and departments, further boosting operational efficiency.

    Enhanced DevOps automation with AI-driven orchestration and open API integration supports efficient network management and faster service deployment. Digital Twin models and AI-powered applications, like the FME and Call Center Copilots, empower autonomous operations and proactive issue resolution. The architecture promotes single-domain autonomy, allowing segments of the network to self-manage and adapt to changing demands efficiently.

    Industry Engagement and Contribution 

    Since 2022, AIS has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of the telecom industry, as evident in the range of prestigious awards recognizing its innovations, quality, and forward-looking strategies. Through its achievements, AIS has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in 5G and autonomous network (AN) solutions, emphasizing the transformative impact of these technologies on the industry.

    The company is also deeply committed to collaboration, working closely with industry partners to expand AN practices, and co-create sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships. This collaborative approach enables AIS to foster innovation, build leadership, and drive digital transformation across multiple verticals. By joining forces with key stakeholders, AIS aims to empower diverse industries through cutting-edge digital solutions, cementing its leadership and contributing to the growth of a connected, resilient, digital future.

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  • No entertainment shows, only movies for Netflix in Vietnam

    No entertainment shows, only movies for Netflix in Vietnam

    Starting Monday Netflix will remove all entertainment and reality shows from its platform in Vietnam and only distribute film-related content to comply with local laws.

    The U.S.-based streaming service would only show films that have been classified, the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information said in a recent release.

    In Vietnam, film and entertainment shows fall under different categories and are subject to different regulations.

    Distributors of entertainment shows need to set up a company in Vietnam, but film distributors do not.

    Netflix has to remove content entertainment and reality shows such as “Love on the Spectrum,” “Longest Third Date” and “Down For Love.”

    After the decree on entertainment shows came into effect in 2023, some platforms withdrew from Vietnam, including U.S.-based Amazon’s Prime Video service which shut down in October after a seven-year presence.

    China’s Iqiyi was flagged the same month for distributing entertainment shows since it has registered only to provide film-related content.

    The broadcasting authority said last year that the enforcement of such regulations aims to ensure fair competition between domestic and international television businesses.

    Earlier foreign platforms benefited from regulatory gaps, with some avoiding taxes or distributing prohibited content, it said.

    “New regulations, issued to ensure fairness, have caused some companies to cease operations in Vietnam,” Le Quang Tu Do, the authority’s director, said at the time.

    “Adjusting business models to comply with local laws is a routine part of doing business.”

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  • WhatsApp to end support for older Android phones and iPhones in 2025

    WhatsApp to end support for older Android phones and iPhones in 2025

    Starting January 1, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer be supported on older Android phones running Android KitKat or earlier. This change means that if you’re still using an older device as your primary phone, you’ll need to upgrade to a newer model to continue using WhatsApp.

    Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, is discontinuing support for these older devices because they lack the hardware capabilities to support the app’s evolving features and functionalities. As WhatsApp continues to add new features, such as AI functionalities, it needs more powerful hardware to ensure a smooth user experience.

    Some of the popular phone models that will be affected by this change include the below:

    • Samsung Galaxy S3
    • Samsung Galaxy Note 2
    • Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
    • Motorola Moto G (1st Gen)
    • Motorola Razr HD
    • Moto E 2014
    • HTC One X
    • HTC One X+
    • HTCDesire 500
    • HTCDesire 601
    • LG Optimus G
    • LG Nexus 4
    • LG G2 Mini
    • LG L90
    • Sony Xperia Z
    • Sony Xperia SP
    • Sony Xperia T
    • Sony Xperia V

    If you’re currently using one of these older devices, it’s important to back up your WhatsApp data to a newer device before the deadline. Otherwise, you’ll lose all your media and chat history from WhatsApp.

    This isn’t the first time Meta has announced plans to end support for older devices. A few months ago, the company announced that it would stop supporting iPhones running on iOS older than version 15.1.

    For iPhone users, however, the deadline to upgrade to a newer device is May 2025. This gives iPhone users a bit more time to prepare for the change compared to Android users. However, it’s still important to be aware of the deadline and to start planning for an upgrade if you’re still using an older iPhone.

    The decision to end support for older devices is likely to affect a significant number of users, particularly in developing countries where older phones are still common. However, as these tech companies continue innovating and diving deeper into AI, I’m afraid it will become a necessity to update even more often than in the past — at least if having the most recent version of an app is a priority. It’s a reminder that technology is now moving very quickly, and we will need to make some choices in order to avoid losing access to our favorite apps and services.

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  • Google now allows Microsoft Teams messages to be migrated to Google Chat

    Google now allows Microsoft Teams messages to be migrated to Google Chat

    Google announced this week that it’s expanding the ability to migrate messages to Microsoft Teams. Starting today, Google Workspace admins can migrate conversations from channels in Microsoft Teams to spaces in Google Chat.

    In order to migrate data from Microsoft Teams to Google Chat, admins must use the dedicated console. Here are the steps an admin must follow to migrate their organization’s data from Microsoft Teams to Google Chat:

    • First, connect to your Microsoft account.
    • Then, upload a CSV of the teams from where you want to migrate the messages. You can specify the source to destination identity mapping by uploading a CSV of the email ID’s from source to target.
    • Next, you’ll enter the starting date for messages to be migrated from Teams. Then you can begin your data migration.
    • Finally, you’ll complete the migration by making migrated spaces, messages and related conversation data available to Google Workspace users.

    It’s imporant to mention that admins can only migrate data to accounts of existing users with a user license and the Google Chat service turned on.

    Equally important is the fact that the Chat migration tool will not delete or modify existing Google Chat spaces or messages. On top of that, admis can also run a delta migration, which will migrate any messages added to Teams channels since the primary migration (messages already migrated will be skipped).

    As soon as the migration process is complete, admins can export a report that contains detailed information regarding content that skipped, failed or had warnings during the migration.

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  • Vietnam’s Vingroup launches electric taxi service in Indonesia

    Vietnam’s Vingroup launches electric taxi service in Indonesia

    Vietnam’s Green and Smart Mobility (GSM) JSC officially launched its Xanh SM electric taxi service in Indonesia on December 18.

    The Green and Smart Mobility JSC, which was established by billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong – founder and chairman of private conglomerate Vingroup, chose Indonesia as its second overseas market after Laos.

    With its smart and eco-friendly mobility solutions, GSM is determined to conquer one of Southeast Asia’s most promising ride-hailing markets while promoting global green transition.

    The launching ceremony took place in Jakarta with the attendance of many host government officials, ambassadors from several countries, and nearly 100 strategic partners of Xanh SM there.

    This marks the first time an electric taxi service has been launched in Indonesia, which is expected to meet the increasing demand for transport during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.

    Dr. Pak Riyatno, Deputy for Investment Climate Development at the Indonesian Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry, expressed his confidence that Xanh SM’s presence in Indonesia would not only encourage domestic and foreign investments in the green economy but also create new opportunities for innovation, job creation, and improved living standards for Indonesians.

    Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong noted that Xanh SM service aligns with the new strategies and policies of the Indonesian administration under President Prabowo Subianto, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, or even 2050.

  • Gasoline prices reach 3-month peak

    Gasoline prices reach 3-month peak

    Gasoline prices in Vietnam climbed to a three-month Thursday afternoon.

    The popular fuel RON95 went up 1.99% from a week ago to VND21,000 (US$) per liter.

    Diesel jumped 2.63% to VND18,730.

    Fuel prices in the last seven days were affected by the European Union’s adoption of the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, a member of OPEC+. Prices were also influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

    RON95 went up 2.5-2.6% in the period while oils went up 2.6-3.1%. RON95 is now at $86.2 per barrel and diesel $89.6.

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  • Indonesia rolls out $52B stimulus package for 2025

    Indonesia rolls out $52B stimulus package for 2025

    Indonesia has unveiled economic stimulus packages totaling IDR827 trillion (US$51.65 billion) for 2025, designed to mitigate economic shocks and address the weakening purchasing power of low- and middle-income groups.

    The stimulus also aims to cushion the impact of an upcoming increase in the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 11% to 12%, set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

    Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the stimulus measures are carefully designed to provide balanced support, particularly for lower-income segments of society, to ensure their financial stability despite the VAT increase.

    A significant portion of the stimulus, amounting to IDR265.6 trillion, will go toward VAT incentives that benefit a range of sectors. These include micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), essential food staples, education, healthcare, transport, energy, low-cost housing, and financial services. Basic necessities like rice, meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, and milk will remain exempt from the VAT.

    The government and the House of Representatives have decided not to impose VAT on essential commodities needed by the public, she said, adding some IDR394 trillion has been allocated for energy subsidies and compensation, which will cover the costs of subsidised fuel, electricity, and LPG.

    To further support the economy, the government is allocating IDR129 trillion to social aid programmes, including food aid, subsidies for health insurance premiums, and easier access to unemployment benefits for laid-off workers.

    In the automotive sector, the government will offer tax incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles. Electric vehicles and hybrid cars will receive substantial tax breaks, including a 3% reduction in luxury taxes for hybrid vehicles.

    For labor-intensive industries, the government will provide tax exemptions, financing support, and 50% subsidies for workplace accident insurance to encourage job creation and economic growth in this sector.

    In the housing sector, the government would extend VAT exemptions for house purchases. The sector not only meets the public’s basic needs but also has a significant multiplier effect, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth, the minister said.

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  • Nokia Enhances SONiC Support for Data Center Innovation

    Nokia Enhances SONiC Support for Data Center Innovation

    By combining open-source software with advanced hardware and cutting-edge automation, Nokia is offering a new alternative for modern, efficient, and highly reliable data center networks. Nokia has been a strong supporter of open-source solutions and has been actively involved in the SONiC community for an extended period.

    The SONiC community was originally started by Microsoft and the Open Compute Project and is now overseen by the Linux Foundation.Research by 650 Group found that the market for SONiC-enabled data center switching is expected to exceed USD 9 billion by 2028, driven by the growing demand for traditional IT and emerging AI workloads.

    Previously, selecting SONiC often meant facing limited options in terms of fabric management and automation when using open-source hardware. Nokia’s expanded portfolio now integrates the SONiC community’s capabilities with its data center switching platforms, whilst also offering access to Nokia’s expert SONiC development and support team. This allows enterprises and cloud providers to access a wider range of advanced data center hardware platforms designed for reliability, power efficiency, and longevity.

    Customers will also benefit from Nokia’s Event Driven Automation (EDA) platform, which helps manage and automate SONiC environments, reducing operational costs and minimizing human error and network downtime. For customers who prefer fully integrated solutions with advanced features and dedicated engineering support, Nokia continues to offer its SR Linux network operating system as part of its data center fabric solution.

    By supporting both software approaches, Nokia is providing unmatched flexibility in the data center switching market.

    Alan Weckel, Co-Founder and Technology Analyst at 650 Group, praised Nokia’s commitment to open-source solutions and its support for SONiC, adding that the enhancement demonstrates Nokia’s dedication to providing innovative solutions for evolving data center needs. Josh Helm, Vice President of Global Network and Edge Offering Enablement at Kyndryl, highlighted the benefits of integrating open-source software with Nokia SR Linux, noting that the integration enables Kyndryl to drive IT modernization, consequently benefiting its customers.

    Scott Seger, Senior Vice President Infrastructure and Alliances at CBTS, noted the strong interest in Nokia’s SONiC support for data center switching, especially among financial services clients. Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Nokia’s IP Networks Business Division, emphasized the importance of giving customers the flexibility to choose how they run their networks. Nokia’s solutions support both a vendor NOS similar to SR Linux and an open-networking NOS similar to the SONiC community, providing customers with the freedom to adapt to changing conditions.