Technologies such as IoT and Blockchain have been revolutionising the food and beverage industry. The industry and networks have been leveraging on these technologies to increase productivity, provide unabridged transparency and minimise food waste in the supply chain. Blockchain, in particular, is gaining traction with its various principles like the trace-and-track system and irreversibility of records.

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was established to mark the achievement of ASEAN having virtually eliminated intra-regional tariffs. However, a variety of quotas, levies and embargoes has resulted in a rise in non-tariff barriers (NTBs). Last week, FIA brought together premier thought leaders to discuss the progress and importance of collaborative efforts to address NTBs.

While plastic bans are useful in drawing awareness for the need to practice the 3Rs – reducing, reusing and recycling – a larger and more holistic approach is needed to ring in significant changes to tackling the problem.