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Posted: 2/23/23

TAMIU TCBEED Director Offers Supply Chain Insight at APEC 2023 Conference Workshop

 

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Texas A&M International University's (TAMIU) A.R. Sanchez Jr. School of Business Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development (TCBEED) director Dr. Daniel Covarrubias provided supply chain-focused insight at the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference 2023 in Palm Springs, CA.

Dr. Covarrubias was a panelist in a workshop on implementing APEC'S framework for supply chain connectivity, particularly his area of expertise: the digitalization of end-to-end supply chains.

For the panel "Areas for future APEC work on Supply Chain Digitalization," Covarrubias presented insights from the TAMIU Logistechs Living Lab on the U.S.-México border. His talk underscored the value of assessing exponential technologies as supply chain digitalization solutions in a real-world scenario, providing examples of the technology that may be used to boost productivity, cut costs, and increase security.

“To foster a more interconnected, creative, and inclusive future for all, the United States is hosting APEC this year. The 21 economies that make up APEC represent almost 3 billion people, or nearly 40% of the world's population -- and nearly 50% of worldwide trade. I believe TAMIU and our TCBEED benefited greatly from the workshop's ability to network with other experts in supply chain digitalization. I was honored to contribute to the workshop's discussions and help provide border-aware insights and perspectives on the future of supply chain digitalization,” Covarrubias observed.

Covarrubias highlighted the need for coordinated efforts between academia, industry, and government to address the challenges of digitalization and encouraged participants to explore the potential of public-private partnerships to spur innovation in the logistics and supply chain sectors.

He detailed how the TAMIU Logistechs Living Lab is focused on improving the efficiency and competitiveness of cross-border trade and transportation, as well as the different participant roles of the Living Lab -- among them providers, utilizers, users, enablers, and researchers.

Covarrubias also described the TAMIU Logistechs Living Lab workflow and how it is based on problems and challenges identified by its users, enablers, utilizers, and providers, which are then approached through a collective intelligence approach. This approach features pilot tests done by its researchers to arrive at solutions and results for the problems and challenges posed.

He noted that the TAMIU Logistechs Living Lab is currently working on two pilot tests. The first for the development of a Unified Trailer Interchange application where trucking, logistics, and freight forwarding companies can efficiently and securely interchange trailer information to enhance supply chain security. This can provide better traceability, increase the speed of the logistics process by permitting faster data entry and inspection of trailers, and increase trailer lifespan by applying predictive maintenance. The second pilot test is on Internet of Things (IoT) sensor comparison for traceability.

Covarrubias’ invitation to participate came via host Leah Liston, director of Customs and Trade Affairs at the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Liston was also chair of the workshop and panel moderator. 

Other panelists joining Covarrubias included Dr. Deborah Elms, executive director for the Asia Trade Center, Masao Wantanabe, assistant director of the APEC Office at the Trade Policy Bureau of the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Carol Anderson, Microsoft corporate counsel for Global Trade.

For additional information, visit the Texas Center at texascenter.tamiu.edu, email Dr. Covarrubias at  dcova@tamiu.edu , call 956.326.2520, or visit offices located in Anthony J. and Georgia A. Pellegrino Hall, room 216. 

TAMIU information is also online at tamiu.edu and throughout the University’s social channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.