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Hi ,

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the bi-weekly newsletter has been delayed. My sincere apologies for the inconvenience. I am working hard to send out the 8th publication this Sunday.

In the meantime, I would like to introduce you to my good friend who will keep you abreast of all things Southeast Asia.

Meet Alex Bancroft, a seasoned journalist with a flair for storytelling, specialising in Southeast Asia's F&B market.

Based in Bangkok, Thailand, Alex has spent the last two decades deeply immersed in the dynamic and vibrant landscape of Southeast Asia. His love for the region stemmed from the sheer dynamism and diversity he encountered, as he said told me recently:

“Every day felt like a new discovery – be it a hidden street food gem in the alleys of Bangkok, a unique coffee brewing method in Vietnam, or the intricacies of spice used in Indonesian cuisine. The stories behind these culinary traditions were as rich and diverse as the flavours themselves.”

But here’s the catch.

Alex does not exist in real life

He is a fictional journalist that I created using ChatGPT. I told him to give himself a name and create his own life story.

Crazy? Yes.

Legitimate? Be my guest.

To get started, ask him any of the following prompts:

• How is Vietnam's economic growth impacting its F&B industry?

• What are the latest controversial trends in Southeast Asian vegan foods?

• Can you tell a story about the evolving coffee culture in Indonesia?

Based on the personal profile information in the backend and industry reports, he will scour through the web and his ‘knowledge base’ to give you the most well-crafted, structured and sophisticated answer that you can EVER imagine.

^{Just a note that you need to sign up on ChatGPT Plus which costs US$20 per month. It’s not a bad investment once you read through this post…}

Alex’s answer can be as good as how far you push the parameters.

For example, I asked him: Alex, please tell me the Top 3 news from Southeast Asia this week related to F&B and export markets in general. Particularly highlight any article related to Australia. Browse the web but also go through your knowledge base as appropriate. Be succinct and provide me with the article links.

See how much more specific I am in this prompt compared to the earlier examples.

So here comes the answer…

Top 3 New from Southeast Asia this week

1. Vietnam's MGR Sector Growth: Aeon, a Japan-based mass grocery retail giant, plans to expand its store count in Vietnam, supported by a USD 41 million loan. This expansion highlights the growing opportunities in Vietnam's MGR sector, driven by factors like rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and a burgeoning middle class. The sector shows potential for health-centric offerings and convenience-driven retail experiences. (Source: Asia Pacific Food and Drink Insight)

2. Malaysia's Consumer Spending Outlook: Consumer spending in Malaysia is expected to remain stable throughout 2023 and into 2024. This stability is underpinned by easing inflationary pressures and a healthy reduction in unemployment. Retail sales and consumer confidence levels have remained robust, though the impact of inflation and economic challenges could influence future consumer behavior. (Source: Asia Pacific Food and Drink Insight)

3. India's Rice Export Ban Impacting Global Market: India's recent ban on non-basmati white rice exports is poised to have significant effects on global rice market trends and inflation within India. The ban is part of efforts to control domestic food price inflation and comes at a time when global rice markets are already tight due to various factors, including weather conditions and supply-side risks. This development is likely to exert upward pressure on global rice prices. (Source: Asia Pacific Food and Drink Insight)

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a specific article directly related to Australia in the context of Southeast Asia's F&B and export markets within my current knowledge base or through a web search within the given time. However, the developments in these regions, particularly in Vietnam and Malaysia, might indirectly impact Australian export markets, considering the interconnected nature of global trade and the importance of these countries in the Asian F&B sector.

____

There you have it.

As Alex is still in Beta Mode, there is a lot more that I need to add in the backend to ensure that his critical skills remain sharp. I would appreciate any feedback.

Introduce yourself and get to know Alex.

See you this Sunday again,
Apologetic Peter
Connect with me on LinkedIn and Twitter

Event Alert

Our friend at Brand Catalyser is hosting a webinar for a business owner who wants to start or further grow their business in Vietnam 🇻🇳.

They will be exploring the Three Key Areas:

⛰️Vietnam's complex social media landscape

🛍 Insights into Vietnamese consumer behaviour

🌏️ Key industry trends & e-Commerce market overview

Anyone interested should register here. You can also view the original post on LinkedIn.