Linfox International Group was honoured to play a key role at the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Melbourne in March.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic union comprising 10 Southeast Asian states. This year’s summit, hosted by the Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, celebrated 50 years of ASEAN partnership.
Executive Chairman Linfox International Group, Peter Fox AM was invited to join a panel of business leaders to discuss ‘Leveraging Supply Chains and Investment’ as well as a CEO Round Table on ‘Infrastructure, Connectivity and Resources.’
“Six of the eight countries Linfox International Group operate in are ASEAN member states and we share ASEAN’s vision for an open, stable, and prosperous region,” Peter said.
“ASEAN nations face unique logistical challenges, including geopolitical tensions and varying developmental stages, that set them apart from Australia,” he continued. “We equally share the challenges of escalating freight costs and increasingly frequent weather events due to climate change.
“Linfox is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy in the region and we are committed to supporting more resilient and capable supply chains through our scale, knowledge sharing and expertise.”
ASEAN is poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030 (Asian Development Bank and the World Economic Forum). As its population and per capita income continue to grow, so will demand for trusted, robust supply chains.
From left: H.E. Sinchai Manivanh, Ambassador of Lao PDR to Australia; Khampheng Vongkhanty, Lao Business Partner of Linfox Logistics Lao Company Limited; H.E. Saleumxay Kommasith, Lao PDR Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Executive Chairman Linfox International Group, Peter Fox AM; Lao PDR Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone, Linfox International Group CEO, Ian Strachan; Linfox Country Manager Laos and Cambodia, Brendon Bangma; Australian Ambassador to Lao PDR, Her Excellency Megan Jones.
Linfox began operations in China in 1984, its first foray into Asia. Since then, Linfox has expanded into Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos. Today, Linfox International Group headquarters is based in Bangkok, Thailand, where it operates with a dedicated executive team.
Promoting bonds: Thai, Laos and Cambodian Prime Ministers
Executive Chairman Linfox International Group, Peter Fox AM and CEO Linfox International Group, Ian Strachan met with the prime ministers of several member countries including Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone.
“I was honoured to separately meet with the Prime Ministers of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos to discuss the role safe, efficient and reliable supply chains play in a thriving economy and society,” said Peter.
Thailand Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, who chairs Thailand’s National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, recently announced new measures to encourage EV battery cell production and adoption of electric trucks to help Thailand achieve its net zero goal.
“Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and I share a passion for electric vehicles and commitment to minimising pollution from transport,” Peter said. “We discussed Linfox’s investment and planned expansion of Linfox’s EV fleet and I commended him on his announcement of a new EV incentive program.”
Thailand Business Champion appointment
During the summit, Peter was announced as one of ten Business Champions to represent Australian interests in ASEAN nations.
Announcing the appointments, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese said the champions are tasked with being “key advocates for Australia’s trade and investment ties.”
“These are senior Australian business leaders who will help set the agenda for future growth in the commercial relationships we have with the countries of Southeast Asia,” he said.
Peter has been assigned to Thailand, where Linfox has proudly operated since 1993.
“Linfox partners with some of Thailand’s largest retailers, consumer brands and eateries. With 12 sites across the country, we service more than 4,000 stores and restaurants daily,” said Peter.
“Thailand continues to be a strong focus for expansion and investment and I’m delighted to be appointed to this special role.”