Sold out in 3 minutes! How a Sri Lankan streamer masters Chinese e-commerce live streaming?
How did a bottle of chili paste from Sri Lanka make its way overseas and go viral in a Chinese live streaming? And how did a traditional handmade stool help revive the rural economy in Sri Lanka? What made a live streaming that sold out its inventory in just 3 minutes convince Sri Lankan entrepreneur Chiranjaya Udumullage of the huge potential and strong vitality of the Chinese market?
Devinder Kumar, a host from CICG Europe-Asia, enters the live streaming room, eager to find out how Chiranjaya Udumullage is promoting business and sale for his hometown's quality products.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Korea Herald
Trump's China tariffs reshape US ESS market, offer boon for Korean batteries
The market for energy storage systems, or ESS, in the US is at a critical juncture, as Korean battery-makers move to fill the gaps left by domestic players hurt by tariffs. Oregon-based Powin, once a top-three ESS integrator, filed for bankruptcy after tariff-driven costs on Chinese battery imports surged, exposing how vulnerable US firms are to foreign supply shocks. According to recent media reports, Powin, headquartered in Oregon, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month at a court in New Jersey after piling on more than $300 million in debt. The Chapter 11 filing will enable the company to operate under court supervision while restructuring its finances. The main factor behind Powin's collapse was its inability to find alternative suppliers for battery cells outside of China. The company predominantly sourced lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery cells from Chinese battery-makers, including CATL, and integrated them into its ESS products. Powin has reportedly suffered from project delays or even renegotiations with clients due to supply chain disruptions arising from its dependence on China-focused battery sourcing. Last month, the company said in a statement that its 'significant financial challenge' was 'reflective of ongoing headwinds in the broader energy storage industry.' Chinese-made ESS batteries imported into the US are currently subject to a 40.9 percent tariff, which is anticipated to rise to 58.4 percent next year. Changing tables at LG's lead Industry insiders indicate that while Trump's strategy to curb US reliance on the Chinese battery supply chain may come at the expense of domestic companies like Powin, it is likely to open doors for Korean battery-makers. Notably, LG Energy Solution, the only company capable of manufacturing LFP ESS cells in the US at its Michigan facility, is moving fast to capitalize on this emerging market with no clear leader. The company was recently reported to have secured a 6 trillion won ($4.3 billion) deal to supply LFP batteries for Tesla's ESS products. Tesla was considered a promising US company to start LFP cell manufacturing for its ESS lineups, such as Megapack and Powerwall, at its Nevada facility. But its production capacity will apparently not be enough to meet market demand. During its second-quarter earnings conference call, LG Energy Solution also hinted at the possibility of converting portions of the production lines at its joint venture facilities in the US with global automakers -- likely the second plant with General Motors in Tennessee -- from electric vehicle manufacturing to ESS. It aims to increase its capacity from a potential 17 gigawatt-hours by the end of this year to 30 gigawatt-hours by 2026. The Tennessee plant, with an annual capacity of 50 gigawatt-hours, could potentially secure an additional 10 gigawatt-hours for LFP production. This is based on last year's 40 percent operational rate and the potential allocation of half its capacity to LFPs. 'Utilizing a joint venture facility with GM is an efficient move to streamline capital expenditures, while swiftly addressing the fast-growing demand for ESS,' said Lee Ho-geun, a car engineering professor at Daeduk University. 'This strategy could buy time for LG to prepare its third joint plant, acquired from GM, for ESS battery production.' On Thursday, Samsung SDI announced that it will convert a portion of the EV production lines at its joint venture plant with Stellantis in Indiana into ESS lines, with large-scale production for nickel, cobalt and aluminum batteries set to start this year. It looks to produce LFP ESS cells next year. SK On is also gearing up for large-scale manufacturing of LFP cells and has signed a cathode supply deal with L&F Co. for the North American market. Containerized ESS in spotlight Korean companies look to solidify their presence in the US with large-scale, containerized ESS, spurred by the rapid expansion of data centers and the increasing demand for reliable electricity supply solutions. Among the ESS products, ranging from battery packs to containerized systems, containerized ESS is gaining momentum, driven by the rapid expansion of data centers and the increasing demand for reliable electricity supply solutions. 'Compared to small battery packs for residential applications, containerized ESS are more effective in boosting sales and profits because they are considered value-added products,' said an industry source familiar with the matter on condition of anonymity. 'These systems are equipped with various features, including safety mechanisms that control humidity and temperature to protect the battery systems within the container.' Samsung SDI's flagship Samsung Battery Box 1.5, a fully equipped, ready-to-deploy product, is housed within a 20-foot container using nickel, cobalt and aluminum cells, with an energy capacity of approximately 5.26 megawatt-hours. LG Energy Solution's JF2S DC Link, similar in size to Samsung Battery Box 1.5, offers a capacity of approximately 5 MWhs. However, it is powered by more cost-effective LFP batteries.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
FM Cho meets US senators, White House officials after tariff deal
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has met US senators and White House officials to discuss alliance and security issues, including North Korea's nuclear program, his ministry said Saturday, after the two countries reached a tariff deal this week. Cho met Sens. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and spoke with Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) by phone Friday during his visit to Washington for talks with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, earlier in the week, according to the ministry. Cho noted that the tariff deal the two countries reached will serve to deepen their "strategic" economic cooperation, and asked the senators for their support for science and technology cooperation in various sectors, such as artificial intelligence. The senators expressed expectations that the alliance will further deepen through the deal and vowed support so that South Korean investments lead to progress in major areas of cooperation, such as shipbuilding and manufacturing, according to the ministry. Under the deal announced Wednesday (US time), Washington agreed to lower "reciprocal" tariffs on South Korea to 15 percent from an earlier proposed rate of 25 percent, while Seoul agreed to $350 billion in investments in the US, among other commitments. Cho also met White House officials, including Andrew Baker, national security adviser to Vice President JD Vance, and Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, on Friday. During his talks with Hassett, Cho asked for Washington's support for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that South Korea will host in late October. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Korea Herald
Where the Industry Connects: Bangkok's Building Construction Technology Expo Announces Robust Lineup of Conferences and Workshops
BANGKOK, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Asia's leading Building Construction Technology Expo (BCT Expo) returns to Bangkok with a line-up of dynamic conferences, workshops and industry networking opportunities, taking place from 3 rd to 5 th September at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre. The Southeast Asia construction market was valued at around US $538 billion in 2024, with forecasts pointing to 6% to 6.2% annual Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) through 2028. For Thailand, the construction industry is a significant driver of growth, contributing substantially to the country's economy. It is against this market backdrop that BCT Expo 2025 is organized to serve as Southeast Asia's premier "Construction & Mining Meeting Place". This event is set to welcome over 150 exhibiting brands and 4,000 industry professionals across the entire spectrum of the building, construction and mining sector for 3 days of business exchanges, partnerships and opportunities. To further connect the industry, BCT Expo is bringing together a robust line-up of free-to-attend conferences and workshop with over 39 keynote and panel discussion sessions, featuring over 45 speakers and industry gurus, who will gather to share and discuss the latest trends, know-hows, innovation and issues shaping the future of the Southeast Asian building and construction industry and markets. These forum sessions will touch on a range of insightful topics in sectors such as mining, tall buildings and vertical cities, construction AI and robotics, construction safety, smart financing, green construction, smart facility management, heavy equipment and technology trends, pre-cast technology, piling, and concrete, just to name a few. It is known that Thailand construction is one of the most dangerous sectors, but BCT Expo is committed to raising safety standards by equipping engineers and contractors with practical knowledge and certifications to build a safer future. BCT Expo aims to uplift the construction safety standards of Thailand, through a series of certification workshops and skill development courses on fire and safety, and work environment hazard assessments. These courses, to be conducted by the Chonburi's Safety Officers Club will be attended by safety officers, engineers, and contractors At the same time, the Thai Lifting Engineering, Crane and Heavy Equipment Association will provide certified practical workshops, with professional development units (PDUs) points for participants, on safety knowledge and practices on crane and heavy construction machinery operations. BCT Expo 2025 will also see the conduct of a whole range of interactive industry activities across its exhibition show floor that will include: BCT Expo 2025 will provide attendees with plenty of business exchanges, in-depth and insightful understanding on the dynamics of the growing building and construction market in Thailand and Southeast Asia. In addition, the event will offer plenty of opportunities networking opportunities for attendees to renew and seek new networks. Register now at to secure your complimentary pass and make the most of your visit. IMPACT Exhibition Management Co. Ltd. IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. is the leading exhibition organizer in Thailand. We organize and manage professional trade and public exhibitions, conferences, meetings and training, working in hand with international trade associations, organizers, and corporations across a broad spectrum of industries.
