Business

South Korean exports of teleconferencing equipment and semiconductors have significantly increased as employees worldwide transition to working from home during the pandemic, driven by rising demand from cloud computing firms and remote work trends in the US and China.

Spritzer Berhad, Malaysia's leading bottled water producer, aims to boost production capacity from 750 million to 900 million bottles annually. The company plans to install two new high-speed automated bottling lines in Shah Alam and Yong Peng to meet growing local and international consumer demand.

Singapore Airlines has grounded 185 of its 196 aircraft, including Airbus A380s and Boeing 787s, as global border controls and reduced travel demand severely impact the airline's operations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Japanese retailer Uniqlo has reopened the majority of its stores in China, with just 30 out of 750 locations still closed. The company had previously shut down over 300 stores and factories due to the coronavirus outbreak, which significantly impacted its revenues in the Chinese market.

As coronavirus spreads globally, Amazon experiences massive order increase. People under lockdown turn to the platform for groceries, essentials, and household items. To manage demand, Amazon temporarily suspends non-essential product deliveries, focusing on medical supplies and critical household staples.

Bill Gates, the world's second-richest man, has resigned from the boards of Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway. In a LinkedIn post, he explained his decision to dedicate more time to philanthropic priorities including global health, education, and climate change. Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair a major philanthropic foundation.

Two top Thai aviation executives resign on March 12 due to government's mishandling of coronavirus travel restrictions, creating confusion for domestic and international travelers during the pandemic crisis.

Ride-hailing platform Grab Philippines bans 125,000 users for creating multiple accounts, frequent cancellations, and providing false ratings, protecting driver interests and service quality.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is scouting locations in the central United States for a new Gigafactory dedicated to manufacturing the Cybertruck. Originally unveiled in 2019, the electric pickup was expected to begin production by 2021 with an initial price point of $40,000. This expansion signals Tesla's continued growth in the electric vehicle market.

Dutch brewer Heineken is investing 865 million reais (US$183.14 million) to expand its Ponta Grossa brewery in Brazil. The investment will increase manufacturing capacity by 75%, reflecting the company's confidence in the Brazilian market despite economic challenges. CEO Mauricio Giamellaro emphasizes Brazil's strategic importance for Heineken's growth plans.