The integration of technology into the logistics business will increase efficiency and lower costs, said Christine Holgate, chief executive of Team Global Express, an Australian logistics and transportation company.
Last month, the company announced a strategic partnership with Shenzhen-based SF Express, to enhance bilateral trade between Australia and China, with a focus on leveraging China's booming e-commerce industry.
"Technology can actually provide you with an opportunity to grow. So if you think about Australia, again, just a huge size and landmass of the country, if with technology, we could lower the cost of deliveries to far regional places. Through the use of technology, you'd see a whole boom in the amount of deliveries going there. As I said earlier, really, only 5 percent of e-commerce is originating out of regional Australia. Now that 28 percent of the population happened to be a very wealthy 28 percent, on average. There's a huge opportunity. But today that's restricted and I think the more that AI will make us more efficient and lower cost. So I personally think it's a very exciting time," Holgate said in a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Holgate said China is playing a leading role in the development of e-commerce and logistics.
"From my perspective, it's extremely healthy. And all I've seen coming up here is just very much a welcoming of organizations and a real desire to actually do shared learnings and collaborate. I think sometimes when you work in a very developed country, people can fall into 'we know everything about a subject matter'. The thing for e-commerce and for logistics, it's China that's leading the world. We need to come here and learn," she said.
Technology to increase logistics efficiency, lower costs: Australian logistics CEO
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
