China’s Belt and Road Projects in Central Asia

This article aims to understand the evolving nature of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Central Asia. It examines how the BRI gives China an access to the abundant energy resources in Central Asia, alongside the trade connectivity, industry, infrastructure development, and expanding regional markets and facilitating regional cooperation, etc. While doing so, the article examines 261 small-and large-scale Chinese infrastructure projects in five Central Asian republics. As we understand, China’s BRI investments focus on rail and road connectivity projects, energy connectivity projects, trade promotion and industrial development, and people-to-people projects. This gives greater influence to China in the Central Asian region, thereby leading to a competition among the major powers such as Russia, the USA and India.

When value- and experience-related trade promotions influence retailers’ sales: the moderating role of retail format strategy and channel structure

Purpose As manufacturers and retailers aim to increase return on marketing investments, value- vs experience-related trade promotions gain attention. These two trade promotions become complicated in the presence of different retail format strategies (generalist vs specialist) and channel structures (direct to retailer vs distributors). Building on trade promotion literature, this study aims to show the main effect of value-related and experience-related trade promotions on retailers’ sales and the moderating role of different retail strategies and channel structures. Design/methodology/approach The authors use unique panel data from 8 personal care brands with 1,920 observations to test the hypotheses. The authors investigate how consumer goods manufacturer sells products using different channels structures and retail strategies. Estimated panel regressions provide the empirical evidence and robustness analyzes provide extra confidence to the findings. Findings Results reveal higher retail sales when the manufacturer invests in value-related trade promotions rather than experience-related trade promotions. The results also demonstrate how the manufacturer successfully invests in trade promotion by adequately accounting for channel structure and retail strategy. While temporary price reduction’s positive effect on retail sales is enhanced in generalist retailers (e.g. supermarket stores), shelf display’s positive impact is enhanced in specialist retailers (drug stores). Research limitations/implications The authors used unique panel data accounting for 15 months, limiting the findings. The results supported the investment allocation decisions in each period. However, future research may evaluate the effectiveness over a longer period and thoroughly address each investment’s seasonal effects. Practical implications The authors unveil how retailers achieve higher sales with value-related trade promotions when compared to experience-related trade promotions. The authors also shed light on the way manufacturers design their relationships with generalist and specialist retailers by working in direct and indirect channels. Trade promotions yield better results when the direct channel structure couples with a retailer’s generalist strategy. Originality/value The empirical findings help manufacturers achieve success in trade promotions by developing an equitable evaluation to contrast value- and experience-related promotions accounting for generalist and specialist retail strategies and direct and indirect channels.

US trade policy extends Trump's themes but adds nuance

Significance Biden's campaign promise of 'trade policy for the middle-class' remains far from fully formed. There is as much continuity with the course of his predecessor as there is divergence, although the tone and execution are different. Impacts The White House let its Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) from Congress lapse on July 1 and shows no intent to renew it. The expiry of the TPA puts a US-UK trade deal on indefinite hold. 'Unionised worker-centric trade policy' would be the best interpretation of Biden's 'trade policy for the middle class'. The myth that 'globalisation destroys US jobs' will continue to resonate as loudly with many Democrats as it does with Trump Republicans. Using trade as a means of economic coercion for political ends may be expanded to advance climate and environmental goals.

FOOD AND DRINK PROCESSING FROM LYCHEE PRODUCTS IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCES OF VIETNAM - AND ROLES OF AGRICULTURE PROJECT FINANCING

The purpose of this study focuses on presenting the food and drink process in the case of making lychee juice and lychee-tea combination fruit juice in a tropical country such as Vietnam. We mainly use methods of qualitative analysis, synthesis and inductive methods, with description and explanatory methods. Authors also use a value chain approach from a material supply (lychee products) to production and market distribution.Research results show us that choosing good red lychee together with good green or black tea, esp. Lipton tea, which is produced from the region of material supplying in the Northern region of Vietnam, then mixed with sugar and ice, using little vegetables will be very good for everybody health, functioning as medical treatment to prevent heart disease, and helps men and women stronger.In the meantime, we also propose lychee and tea planting policies and capital financing policies in the country, esp. In the north of Vietnam. For instance, the nation needs to continue to negotiate with countries that have not yet allowed Vietnam’s fresh lychee to be imported into developed countries (such as Korea, ...); The state/province cooperates with donors and businesses in trade promotion activities in potential export markets for Vietnamese lychee and fruit products (Japan, Korea, US, EU, ASEAN…).

INFLUENCE OF SALES PROMOTION METHODS ON CONSUMER PURCHASING DECISIONS IN PHARMACY ORGANIZATIONS

Данное исследование направлено на выявление наиболее распространенных и эффективных инструментов стимулирования продаж, которые используются аптеками и фармацевтическими компаниями для того чтобы потребитель принял решение о покупке продукции. Результаты исследования показали, что, по мнению всех респондентов, техника стимулирования торговли оказывала самое сильное влияние на решения потребителей о покупке, в то время как мерчандайзинг был наиболее распространенным методом стимулирования продаж в местных аптеках. Респонденты определили стимулирование торговли как наиболее эффективный и распространенный метод. Кроме того, результаты исследования показали, что, по мнению всех респондентов, наиболее сильное влияние на покупательские решения потребителей оказали следующие инструменты стимулирования сбыта: организация и дизайн витрин среди изученных инструментов мерчендайзинга; купите 1 и получите 2 бесплатно; и подарки. Одни и те же инструменты были определены всеми респондентами как наиболее распространенные. Бесплатные образцы продвигаемой продукции оказались наиболее распространенным инструментом, но в то же время наименее эффективным. В заключение следует отметить, что результаты настоящего исследования позволяют понять, какие инструменты стимулирования продаж обычно используются в местных аптеках и какие из них оказывают наиболее сильное влияние на решения потребителей о покупке. This study aims to identify the most common and effective sales promotion tools that are used by pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies to make a consumer decision about buying products. The results of the study showed that, according to all respondents, the technique of stimulating trade had the strongest influence on consumer purchasing decisions, while merchandising was the most common method of stimulating sales in local pharmacies. Respondents identified trade promotion as the most effective and common method. In addition, the results of the study showed that, according to all respondents, the following sales promotion tools had the strongest impact on consumer purchasing decisions: organization and design of storefronts among the studied merchandising tools; buy 1 and get 2 for free; and gifts. The same tools were identified by all respondents as the most common. Free samples of promoted products turned out to be the most common tool, but at the same time the least effective. In conclusion, the results of this study allow us to understand which sales promotion tools are commonly used in local pharmacies and which of them have the strongest influence on consumer purchasing decisions.

Trade Promotion from Thailand to China As A Result Of a New Train Route

Objective - This paper aims to analyse the impact of the China-Laos railway on export trade from China to Thailand. The paper analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the new route and other routes base on driven factors, identifies what trade industry is suitable for this new route and provides some reference for Thai trade exporters. This will enable Thai export traders to understand the new transportation route formed by the railway and improve the trade volume and competitiveness of Thai products through this route. Methodology/Technique - Literature review method, secondary data method, in-depth interview method. Findings - It is found that the new route formed after the completion of the China-Laos railway has many advantages base on driven factors and many industries are suitable for the use of this new route. Novelty - Few people know much about the China-Laos railway, and even less about the analysis of its impact on Thailand's trade. The author's in-depth interview method allows him to get in touch with experts who are very relevant to the China-Laos railway, providing valuable insights. Type of Paper - Empirical. Keywords: Thai Products; Driving Factors; Route Selection; China-Laos Railway; In-depth Interviews; Secondary Data Method JEL Classification: F16, F18, F19.

Biden's Africa team will try to hold a steady course

Significance Crisis management, trade promotion, counterterrorism and development efforts are likely to continue, together with democracy promotion initiatives in some countries. Substantial continuity in the relevant committees suggests some keen congressional interest in Africa, but this is likely to come from familiar faces. Impacts The Africa team is highly competent but somewhat risk-averse and may prioritise bolstering stability over encouraging change. It appears unlikely that Africa will move significantly up the ladder of foreign policy issues. Career diplomats whose major postings occurred during the 'War on Terror' may be relatively sympathetic to AFRICOM’s priorities.