The COVID-19 pandemic caused challenges for supply chains globally. Multiple national lockdowns continues to slow or even temporarily stop the flow of raw materials and finished goods, disrupting manufacturing as a result including Malaysia – U.S. Companies.

This series will feature U.S technologies such as Seeloz and Malaysian stakeholders and players to understand the gaps, opportunities, and Malaysia’s Digitalization plans in Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain sector.

With Klang Valley transitioned into Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), an updated set of SOPs have been released for areas undergoing Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the NRP. Notable updates include allowances for fully vaccinated individuals, permitted sports and leisure activities, distributive trade and more. Thank you to British Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) for helping with the English translations.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has launched the COVIDNOW website which provides up-to-date data and stats on COVID-19 in Malaysia. Click on the 'Read More' tab to view the page.

After being in “pole position” for many months in terms of generating new COVID-19 cases, the Klang Valley has of late observed a decline in infections, thus enabling it to shift to the second phase of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) beginning today. Selangor was the worst-hit state with daily new cases spiking to over 8,000 early last month.

A total of 51.1 per cent of Malaysia's total population or 16,680,780 individuals have completed their COVID-19 vaccination as of yesterday, 9 September. 21,080,152 individuals, or 64.5 per cent of the total population have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Google recently stepped up their cloud collaboration tools for businesses, expecting “hybrid” work routines to remain even after the pandemic has ended. They are bridging the gap in hybrid work models by making enhancements in Google Meet and introducing Google Workspaces. “We’ve seen a radical transformation, and a lot of that transformation is here to stay,” Google product management director Dave Citron said during a briefing on new Workspace offerings.

Hospitality startup Oyo Hotels entered a multiyear alliance with Microsoft Corp. to develop new travel technologies enabled by the U.S. firm’s Azure cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence. The work will focus on improving the digital capabilities of small and medium hotels as well as home-stays and Microsoft has made an investment in Oyo, the two companies announced on Thursday, 9 September.

Gamuda Land will be launching the first phase of Gardens Square, comprising 19 double and three-storey shops and 19 office lots in Gamuda Gardens, Rawang in October. In a press statement, Gamuda reveals that three anchor tenants are in the pipeline, which include an established grocer occupying more than 20,000 sq ft as well as a double-storey drive-through fast food franchise.

Over the course of the pandemic, businesses have largely—and often successfully—adapted to new ways of working. They’ve also embraced digitization and reorganized their supply chains. All of this has been necessary, but it will not be enough. To prepare for the post-COVID-19 era, leaders need to do more than fine-tune their day-to-day tasks; they need to be ready and willing to rethink how they operate, and even why they exist.