Malaysian telecoms group Axiata has entered into strategic global framework arrangements with several vendors including Ericsson, Huawei, NEC and SIAE, in a move which it claims will establish ‘a streamlined procurement platform which will realise business efficiencies and competitive advantage through cash flow improvement and timely purchasing’. Further, Axiata has suggested that the agreement will enable it to leverage on its volume, across five countries in the region through Group pricing arrangements covering all of its markets, with expected savings of USD100 million over a three year period from implementation. Specifically, the company noted that the global framework agreement will provide its subsidiaries with a common platform for the acquisition of network equipment and other telecommunications products, as well as the provision of related works and services from the selected vendors.
Commenting on the development, Axiata’s president and CEO Dato’ Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim was cited as saying: ‘Speed is crucial in the telecommunications industry and this agreement reduces the time required by each of the companies in purchasing products and services thereby translating into faster time to market which will ultimately benefit customers. We look forward to working closely with all our vendors, towards a mutually beneficial agreement.’