Issue 28
Telenor Myanmar
Telenor Myanmar has undergone drastic changes in the past few years in a drive to rapidly improve telecommunications in the country, establishing itself as a leading figure for others in the industry to follow Writer: Phoebe CalverProject Manager: Donovan Smith When Asia Outlook last spoke to Telenor Myanmar in August 2016, the telecoms industry in Myanmar was undergoing drastic changes with a high demand for mobile data services and network coverage. Telenor saw an opportunity to capitalise on Myanmar’s telecoms sector while enriching the lives of people in the country.A primary goal for this year has been the continuation and expansion of the Company’s mobile network, ensuring that its services were available for all people in Myanmar no matter where they live and work.“Currently we have 8,000 mobile sites in operation and are actively servicing all states and the majority of townships located across the country,” explains Lars Erik Tellman, Chief Executive Officer at Telenor Myanmar. “We have impressive population coverage, standing at 90 percent after less than three years in operation and enabling our customers to enjoy the largest and most complete and reliable 2G,3G and 4G network service experience.”With the Company’s success over the past few years, it is instilling confidence that its rapid investment and build-out - which will provide nationwide coverage on all technology platforms - will be valued by new and existing customers. It is important to Telenor Myanmar that is continues to work on its build-out until all of its customers are fully satisfied with the Company’s rollout offering.Communication servicesAs previously mentioned,…
CITCC (Myanmar) Co. Ltd
CITCC has already made a name for itself on an international scale, and is looking to apply such industry acumen to a country currently enjoying a rapid network infrastructure evolution Writer: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Donovan Smith China International Telecommunication Construction Corporation - or CITCC as it is more commonly known - has formed an almost unrivalled reputation in the region over the years as a one-stop, comprehensive telecommunication service provider, and has for the past seven years replicated this market-leading influence in the emerging domain of Myanmar.Offering everything from consultation, to operation, to maintenance across the telecommunications field, as well as mobile network construction operations, broadband network construction activities, fibre optical cable construction services, satellite site construction works, and many more; the 60 year progression of the Group has culminated in a formidable portfolio perfectly set up to progress Myanmar’s communications infrastructure.“While our headquarters have more than 60 years of experience, 40,000 staff, nine mainland subsidiaries, nine overseas subsidiaries, and a footprint of more than 40 countries around the world, our history in Myanmar goes back to 2010, before registering on 20 May, 2013,” introduces General Manager, James Shang. “Currently, we have more than 160 employees in the country, with 65 percent of them local, and within this entity our main business revolves around infrastructure construction services; including fibre optical cable design and construction, telecommunication site civil works and tower erections, MW&BTS installations, site acquisition and design, a fibre maintenance project, and an Fttx project.“In 2015, we also obtained our Network Facilities Services licence which has helped us…
Hevilift
Implementing a vision to provide aviation services safely and efficiently, with a commitment to provide best in-class skill and flair in every project Writer: Phoebe CalverProject Manager: Arron Rampling Hevilift Ltd is a Papua New Guinea (PNG) based company with 100 percent PNG ownership, with Landowner content. Hevilift has one of the most advanced and diverse fleet of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft in the industry, driven by a highly experienced team and a desire to provide top-class service.There is an evolution occurring within PNG at present, and the Company has subsequently adapted its continuous improvement strategy to ensure it keeps up-to-date with the ever-changing market.“Twice a year our management team will sit down together and look into our efficiencies, including staff and the calibre of those staff,” explains Peter Cannon, Chief Executive Officer at Hevilift. “We work hard to hire people who possess the right experience, meaning we start with our local market, then regional and then if need be we look a little further afield.”Making the right senior management selection is important to Hevilift and recently the Company has demonstrated this with the addition of a Chief Pilot from North America.“We choose the senior roles by analysing experience in the industry we will predominantly be working with, alongside years of contract and similar experience,” adds Cannon. “A vital part of continuous improvement through our staff is training and upskilling our national staff, and bringing in industry experts from all over the world to vastly improve our team.“Whether it is pilots or engineers, through adopting this…
Howden Insurance Brokers
Howden Insurance Brokers has been providing leading specialist broker services in Singapore for more than 45 years and in Malaysia - operating as CIMB Howden - since 2015, standing the test of time against its competitors.
Carabao Group Public Company Limited
Carabao Group’s family-driven philosophy and increasingly recognisable products are combining to further energise an international drinks market already in ascent Writer: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Joshua Mann Progressively becoming a household name on an international scale, energy drink brand, Carabao Group is experiencing its own energised rise to prominence as its evolution from small drink maker to multinational heavyweight gathers momentum.The public traded Company based in Bangkok is only 16 years old, but its ever-broadening array of products can now be found in more than 20 major markets around the world.“In 2016, the Group sold more than 800 million bottles domestically and shipped more than 400 million cans overseas,” emphasises Assistant Managing Director, Romtham Setthasit as a testament to the grandeur that Carabao now enjoys. “Carabao energy drink has also recently signed a contract with Chelsea football club in the UK to be their principle partner, while in January, 2017, we became a proud sponsor of one of the most prestigious football competitions in the UK; now called The Carabao Cup.”Comprising three subsidiaries in the form of Tawandang DCM, its distribution arm, Carabao Tawandang, its manufacturing and marketing division, and Asia Pacific Glass, a glass bottle manufacturing entity; the business has spread its activities in such a way as to capitalise on this new-found attraction, and is compounding its influence even further via a joint venture with Japanese business partner, Showa Aluminium Can of the Showa Denko Group.Setthasit continues: “This is to start an aluminium can fabrication company and also emphasises our international scope as we already have a…
MECIP
MECIP is strategically positioning itself to capture a Malaysian oil, gas and petrochemicals market that is set to surge dramatically over the next two years Writer: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Josh Hyland A Company with more than 20 years of experience compounded by a workforce with more than 30 years packs a potent punch in an industry where knowledge is everything and differentiators are difficult to come by.For MECIP though, it is precisely this combination of assets which continues to drive it forward to market-leading prominence, having evolved from 1994-1995 to become a turnkey oil & gas and engineering solutions provider working alongside some of the biggest names in global industry.“Back when we became active in late 1995, we provided engineering design and management for building services, before later expanding our scope to provide engineering design and management of plant changes for the oil, gas and petrochemicals sector,” recalls Managing Director, Ahmad Nazari Ashari. “This occurred in 2001 and since then we have established a reputable track record in process engineering, piping and mechanicals, instrumentation, and electrical, civil and structural engineering for downstream plants in the oil & gas sector.”The result of such a wholesome progression has been an ever-broadening appeal to some of the industry’s biggest names including PETRONAS, Shell Sarawak and BP as well as numerous clients in Europe as well. And in nearly all cases, these have proved to become long-term repeat contracts, emphasising the quality showcased by MECIP with each new customer, and each new project.Stewarding MECIP’s impressive rise has been some of the leading…
Thai Aviation Services Ltd
Thai Aviation Services Ltd is leveraging more than 30 years of experience through a multi-pronged expansion plan that will generate benefits for the Company, its customers, the industry and the country Writer: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Josh Hyland With more than 30 years of experience, Thai Aviation Services Ltd (TAS) has its sights firmly set on propulsion into new territories and new service remits, as the country’s first offshore helicopter service provider looks to capitalise on its now 100 percent Thai ownership advantage.Incepting in 1987, the business had evolved up to 2016 when the segregation occurred alongside CHC - the world’s largest offshore helicopter service provider - but in going it alone and entirely localised, the business has demonstrated that it now has the capabilities to thrive on a similar scale without ballast.“With the partnership separation between TAS and CHC in 2016, TAS is now totally owned by Thai nationals,” the Company’s Managing Director, Suwanawat Koeworakul affirms. “As a helicopter service provider, our core business has been focused on the oil & gas market to provide logistical support to the offshore production and exploration with crew change, medevac coverage and special cargo requirements.“However, we have also engaged in pipeline patrol and other facets of helicopter needs to the general market as well; for example the film industry, VIP flights etc.”With internal control also comes heightened flexibility though, and this list of services is only set to increase in the months and years to come as TAS looks to diversify into areas of tourism, fixed-wing opportunities and MRO activities for…
L&A Construction Limited
L&A Construction Limited is a family run business managed by its founder, Sir Luciano Cragnolini and his sons who have used the raw materials of determination, quality and principles to carve the artefact of success within the construction industry across Papua New Guinea Writer: Phoebe CalverProject Manager: Tom Cullum At L&A Construction Limited profitability is not the primary objective for the family run business, instead focusing on ensuring the delivery of high quality projects while building trusted relationships with clients.Chairman of the Company, Sir Luciano Cragnolini arrived in Papua New Guinea (PNG) - having left his home country of Italy - on December 9, 1967. His exceptional understanding of the PNG industry began with installing pre-cast concrete beams for the construction of the administration building; during stage one of the University of PNG (‘UPNG’)’s construct in Waigani.Only five years later - in joint partnership with his late brother, Arrigo Cragnolini - he formed L&A Bricklayers Pty Ltd, the name which preceded the current L&A Construction Limited.“In our earlier years, L&A adopted a sub-contractor role which specialised in block work, tiling and specialist finishes including Italian marble and granite,” explains Adriano Cragnolini, General Manager of L&A. “Later this product offering expanded to include a wide range of internal divisions, including a steel fabrication factory, plastering, painting, joinery, plumbing, electrical, plant hire and block manufacturing plant.”In expanding its core offerings in such a manner, L&A was able to promote itself as a company of greater diversity and more robust capabilities able to assume a main building contractor role. After 45…
thyssenkrupp Elevator Southeast Asia
thyssenkrupp Elevator Southeast Asia looks set to capitalise on the region’s concerted urbanisation leap via a host of new investments, projects, affiliations and enrichment initiatives Writer: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Tom Cullum Headquartered in Essen, Germany, thyssenkrupp Elevator is one of the global leaders in its field, having applied unique engineering capabilities to the industry for more than 40 years and in leveraging the resources of parent Group, thyssenkrupp AG.Backed by its parent’s 156,000 strong workforce and an 80-country geographical footprint, the subsidiary’s elevator operations have become quite significant in Southeast Asia, where it is expected to capitalise concertedly on growing opportunities in the area over the next few years.“The elevator and escalator market in Southeast Asia is expected to see fairly stable and improving growth at CAGR seven percent over the next three years, driven mainly by rapidly growing cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Jakarta,” affirms thyssenkrupp Elevator Southeast Asia’s Chief Executive Officer, Jorg Kaiser. “In Southeast Asia, we currently operate in nine countries with offices located in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia. And while our initial market entries were via acquisitions, the markets in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar were opened through Greenfield approaches.”Across the region, the Company installs, maintains and modernises elevators and escalators with its subsequent portfolio containing passenger and freight elevators, escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts, and a host of tailored service solutions varying on all aforementioned products.“You can find our elevators and escalators in hotels, offices…
Lumina Group
For more than 15 years the Lumina Group has been driving excellence in architectural lighting design, building long lasting relationships within theindustry and continuing to go from strength to strength Writer: Phoebe CalverProject Manager: Tom Cullum For the Lumina Group, reputation is the key to success and acts as the driving force behind every action within the Company. It could be said that maintaining such an impeccable reputation over a sustained period of time has been the hardest job Lumina has undertaken, however, it is one of the many areas in which the Company excels.Providing clients with soulful designs and surpassing all expectations in service is just the beginning when it comes to earning respect within the industry, and prioritising repeat clients is equally important to Lumina when it comes to building long-lasting business relationships.“We strive to build strong working relationships with our clients and through giving priority to our repeat clients, they begin to see our service as one of exclusivity,” explains Abdi Ahsan, Principal of the Lumina Group. “Of course with exclusive service, we have had to match our fees to maintain this and our ever-growing loyal clients understand the benefits that come with that.“Lumina also ensures that the effort within its designs is recognised, while also keeping up to date in the market with technological advancements that will aid the designs.”Established in 2000 and based in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Lumina Group started out as an independent lighting design firm. Fast forward 17 years and the Group has become a holding company for several works, with…
Merx Construction Management
Merx demonstrates an ethos of complete passion in every corner of its work, delivering on great projects in a truly independent way Writer: Phoebe CalverProject Manager: Tom Cullum In 2001, Merx Construction Management was built upon a focus of providing client-representative consulting services, working within the building, construction and fit-out sectors. With its headquarters perfectly placed in the heart of Southeast Asia, the Company’s service remit covers Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia; while also operating wholly-owned offices in both Malaysia and Hong Kong.Over the years Merx has specialised in independent consultancy services, including project management, construction management, cost management and client representation. The Company has continued to develop and hone its service offering to clients, working from its offices located in Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Myanmar and delivering on projects across the construction, real estate and hospitality sectors. Providing clients with complete management of their construction projects has bestowed Merx with vast and in-depth knowledge when it comes to the industry, as well as an ability to play a lead management role on all aspects of an asset’s lifecycle.Truly regional businessIt has proven vitally important for companies such as Merx to secure repeat business and management of regional accounts, corporate accounts and large-scale projects across Asia. The Company has continued to maximise its relationships with each client and pass on benefits to each client.“We are currently working on projects for clients in eight capital cities within Asia, meaning we are proudly a truly regional Asian business,” explains William Forwood, Managing Director and Founder of Merx. “This achievement…
Myanmar’s Ripple of Optimism
In typical Myanmar fashion, the country’s strive for more stable and sustainable economic prominence is continuing in unpredictable and bumpy style, with progress stunted if not irreparable despite some favourable contributors to its global status.April, 2016 saw the country’s first ever democratically elected Government come into power, representing a potential turn in the tide for a country which had only offered the rest of the world a sneak peek into its workings a few years previously.The event - a successful one at that - was supposed to usher in a new dawn of national prosperity; if not immediately, then certainly progressively and notably.Such a drastic change in structure isn’t always positive though, and the shock alone seemed to have a detrimental effect, translating into a period of disappointing growth between the election and March, 2017. Exports, even in established agricultural and commodity markets, struggled to make any headway and trade was also a cause for concern with exported goods in the first half of 2016 declining by a catastrophic 11.6 percent.Imports, in turn, also declined over the same period - by 6.7 percent - to compound the overall struggle to make inroads internationally; inevitably leading to a stall on the FDI front as well.“...foreign investments stalled, largely due to the confusion associated with the authority to approve them,” the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) explains in its quarterly forecast; The ICAEW Economic Insight: South East Asia. “The Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC), the official body responsible for approving investments, was disbanded in March,…
Preparing for the CWC 9th World LNG & Gas Series: Asia Pacific Summit
Ahead of the CWC 9th World LNG & Gas Series: Asia Pacific Summit in Singapore, CWC checked the pulse of the LNG industry with two key players, Diamond Gas International and Wood Mackenzie.According to Wood Mackenzie, LNG demand in Asia is growing strongly especially as more countries expand their regasification terminals. In particular, the use of FSRUs has allowed countries to quickly join the buyers’ club. In a recent interview, available on the Asia Pacific Summit website, Wood Mackenzie stated that they are increasingly optimistic about growing LNG imports in Asia.Diamond Gas International stated that they recognise Singapore’s huge potential of becoming Asia’s hub for the LNG industry considering the advanced social and business infrastructure, and convenient access to traditional demand centers in North East Asia and developing demand centers across Southeast/South Asia.Both the Wood Mackenzie and Diamond Gas International interviews are available in full at the Asia Pacific Summit website and they are also participating as speakers at the event which is set to bring together the key LNG buyers and sellers from across the globe this September.The Summit provides the perfect platform to network, meet contacts, nurture partnerships and do deals with leading decision makers and will cover topics such as:· Global and regional gas market dynamics – how is pricing affecting the competitiveness of LNG/gas versus other fuels in China, India and South East Asia?· LNG to Power - The shift towards downstream: How are IPPs being developed?· LNG Importation and Regasification options: South-East Asia Focus· Buyer Spotlight: Update on Key Existing Players and New Players in the Region · Stimulating…
GTR Asia Trade & Treasury Week
Global Trade Review (GTR), the world’s leading news source, publisher and event organiser for the global trade, commodity, export and supply chain finance industries, returns to Singapore for its ninth year to host GTR Asia Trade & Treasury Week. The event will take place at Marina Bay Sands on 5-8 September.The event continues to build on its renowned reputation as the largest and most popular trade finance gathering anywhere in the world, and will provide an effective and impartial marketplace for all involved in trade, commodity and export finance."This last year has seen global trade brought back to the top of the global news agenda, as various geopolitical developments have placed globalisation and the importance of countries trading freely firmly in the spotlight," says Jeff Ando, Production Director at GTR Events. "FTAs, protectionism and the role of China will all be addressed, while commodity trends, trade financing gaps and the role of disruptive technology will also dominate discussions; with a significant part of the programme also devoted to issues impacting on corporate treasury.” Days one and two will focus on agenda topics including:· Protectionism vs multilateralism, realignment towards China, economic trends and scenarios · Trade finance gaps in 2017: The impact on trade, growth and jobs · The Belt & Road Initiative: The jewel in Asia’s crown? · Great expectations: How is the industry preparing for the era of fintech-enabled trade finance? · Trader perspectives on the commodity rebound and challenges in structured commodity finance · Country profiles: Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka · …