Vietnam can glean insights from Malaysia's logistics journey: conference

Sam Tan, director of New Product Launch at Malaysia's advanced solution provider UB

During the Vietnam Logistics Summit 2023, co-hosted by SLP Vietnam and VIR, Sam Tan, director of New Product Launch at Malaysia's advanced solution provider UB, delved into Malaysia's swift pivot towards automation in logistics and explored the takeaways for Vietnam.

"We have had some costly lessons when implementing and advancing automation technology," Tan said. "Why did such lessons emerge?"

However, the immediate adoption of cutting-edge global technologies is not always viable.

"Companies must undergo a learning curve, taking steps to evaluate the extent, feasibility, and calibration of the technology to ensure alignment with on-the-ground realities," he said.

This was closely followed by the critical need for training individuals to effectively utilise this technology.

"It's essential to evaluate the different levels of application - is it successful, or isn't it? We cannot just implement immediately," Tan added.

Furthermore, he said that when deploying AI, a considered approach to the digitalisation journey is essential.

"We must deeply understand the core nature of our data," Tan said.

He voiced concerns that many businesses currently do not take this matter seriously, leading to considerable challenges in their automation journey.

With Vietnam and other nations keenly observing the automation trends in Malaysia, the experiences and insights of industry leaders like Tan will be pivotal in ensuring that technology adoption is both strategic and sustainable.

Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director general of the Import-Export Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade

Drawing the attention back to the Vietnamese scenario, Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director general of the Import-Export Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), also delved into the deep-rooted history of the logistics industry in Vietnam.

He noted that while the essential logistics operations have been integral to various regions for a long time, it's only in the past decade that the term "logistics" has been popularised, largely propelled by the government's initiatives to foster industry growth.

"We've witnessed harmonious infrastructure advancements, particularly in 2023, with the government fervently pushing infrastructure planning. Consequently, this offers a tremendous growth opportunity for the logistics sector," Hai said at the event.

"Moreover, technological and digital transformations are among the critical focal points that domestic logistics enterprises are keenly pursuing. Their ambitions aren't confined merely to the domestic landscape; several are aspiring to leave a mark on the international stage."

'Friend-shoring' takes centre stage at Vietnam Logistics Summit 2023 At the “Vietnam Logistics Summit 2023” co-organised by SLP Vietnam and VIR on October 5 in Ho Chi Minh City, nearly 400 industry leaders and experts convened to discuss the evolving the logistics landscape in Vietnam.

Deputy Minister highlights developments in Vietnam's logistics Speaking at the Logistics 2023 conference co-organised by SLP Vietnam and VIR on October 5, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong highlighted the strides Vietnam's government has made in recent years in refining the mechanisms, policies, and infrastructure to promote the logistics sector.