Contracts

Singapore - The local maritime authorities has confiscated a China COSCO Holdings ship for failing to pay for its charter services, according to the company.

Thailand - Kerry Logistics has secured a contract with IKEA in Thailand, where it will be responsible for a range of value-added services focused on printing and labeling prior to dispatch to IKEA's stores across Asia.

India - The Indian government will be adopting several initiatives from the United Nations' public procurement legislation to stamp out corruption from lucrative contracts.

Pakistan - Pakistan Railways' (PR) tenders for the procurement of 150 locomotives will most likely to delayed, with the country's National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways deciding to involve a newly-formed technical committee to ensure transparency in its procurement process.

Malaysia - Shell Malaysia has signed an agreement with Freight Management Holdings Bhd (FMH), where the latter will provide third-party logistics warehousing services for four years.

China - The country will be abandoning some of its government procurement contract policies that involve "indigenous innovation" rules, no longer putting foreign companies at a disadvantage.

Singapore - Singapore Customs and Japan Customs have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on supply chain security to facilitate and secure each country's trade flows.

Ireland - The state's procurement system has been promoted as a platform to cut the costs of public sector contracts, and public bodies that do not adhere to the system will be identified and shamed.

Middle East - Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates, is encouraging SMEs to bid for government procurement contracts by giving them a share in the business and waiving off various fees collected in the bidding process.

South Africa - Walmart's bid for a 51% stake in South African retailer Massmart has been approved, with local procurement conditions not enforced on the merged entity.