It was only many years later that we learnt about the atrocities and the inhuman ways the natives of the Amazon Valley were subjected to by the white barons to develop exporting of natural rubber to Europe to provide the main raw material for the automotive tyre industry which was gradually evolving in to a flourishing industry. The inventing of synthetic rubber in the late 1940s and the development of SBR  due to the short supply of natural rubber from the colonies  in the East to cater for the growing demand for tyres used in the military vehicles during the Second World War and the Korean War is another episode of beyond the border commercial endeavours.

Although the word ‘globalisation’ was coined by Theodore Levitt in 1983 through an article ‘Globalisation of Markets’ which appeared in the Harvard Business Review  (May-June 1983), I feel that we should go way back in the annals of history to get an understanding of the term. This knowledge may not look attractive to the modern business world. Nevertheless, the sociologists and others of similar disciplines will certainly find such knowledge useful in comprehending the modern day socio-economic woes.

Origins of globalisation may possibly be traced back to early human migrations, presumably from the Olduvai George Gorge, a site in Tanzania that holds the earliest evidence of human ancestors. Human migration is the movement of people from one place to another, particularly different countries, with the intent of settling temporarily or permanently in the new location. It typically involves movement over long distances. The driving motive, namely seeking dominance over fellow men and exploiting the natural environment to achieve success, does not seem to have changed over the millions of years.

The emergence of the great civilisations, e.g. Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and their subsequent decline can be attributed to globalisation. Similarly, the invasions and cross-border military conquests of historical fame (or notoriety) such as that of Alexander the Great and colonisation by the West for the exploitation of natural wealth in Asia, Africa and South America reveals an ugly facet of globalisation.

The Silk Route interlinking East Asia and Southeast Asia with South Asia, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and Southern Europe, on the other hand, was central to the economic, political, cultural and religious interactions between these regions form 2nd century BCE to the 18th century.

The industrialisation and expansion of business and commerce across countries during the past 300-plus years was fuelled by the four industrial revolutions, or waves as some prefer to identify them, namely steam power, conveyor system, computers and digitalisation. The process is continuing to the unforeseeable future with new knowledge and innovations fuelling the globalisation.

The multifaceted nature of globalisation has commonly been identified into eight types as shown below:

•           Political Globalisation

•           Social Globalisation

•           Economic Globalisation

•           Technological Globalisation

•           Financial Globalisation

•           Cultural Globalisation

•           Economic Globalisation

•           Geographical Globalisation

My intention is not to delve in to a discussion about the pros and cons of globalisation, which has been comprehensively documented, but to highlight on some key aspects from this part of the world, especially of the Asian subcontinent.

Knowledge dissemination across border, in my view, is the single most important factor associated with globalisation. This appears common to all the above types of globalisation. The dissemination of the Buddhist doctrine by the great Emperor Asoka to countries spreading from the far East to the Central Asia and Middle East including the present Sri Lanka during 3rd century BCE is one of the earliest recorded instances of globalisation.

Countries with long histories going back to 3,000 to 4,000-plus years, such as India, China and Sri Lanka, possessed a vast knowledge base ingrained in the social consciousness. This appears to have significantly influenced the philosophical and intellectual thought of the Greek and Persian periods. Unfortunately, a major part of this knowledge has been eroded through the influence of the West, which started around the 16th century. One good example of this knowledge found in the ancient irrigation knowledge of Sri Lanka is the engineering  marvel of a gradient of 1 inch per mile in an ancient canal about 87 km long,  built to connect two man-made reservoirs in the 5th century AD. Similarly, India and Sri Lanka possessed a vast indigenous knowledge base in medicine, astrology, architecture, agriculture, irrigation and astrology, and it is somewhat unfortunate that this knowledge has not been adequately globalised. The only significant inroads are seen in tourism. But that too are based on the western norms.

On the other hand, we have acquired a vast knowledge from the industrialised countries on modern management thoughts and technologies which have enabled industrialisation and improvement in living conditions of the populace. In this era of interdependency, a country cannot afford to ignore the technologies which are necessary to maintain a suitable level of competitiveness internationally. However, if this is accomplished at the expense of ignoring the inherent social and cultural foundations, the long-term adverse consequences would be disastrous and unimaginable.

The adverse long-term consequences of the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and the global addiction to pharmaceuticals are already seen physically and socially in practically all the countries, especially the so called underdeveloped or developing countries.

The aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the irreversible effects of global warming are two examples of globalisation which are affecting the mere sustenance  of mankind.

A country can immensely benefit by striving for stars through adopting modern technologies. However, the absolute importance of a strong base cannot be ignored or taken lightly. Back to a strong base and reinforcing the base lies at the core of sustainable development.

The words of Mahatma Gandhi echoing from the past reaffirm this plain truth in no uncertain terms.

“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.”

“What's past is prologue," a quote from William Shakespeare's ‘The Tempest’ presumes that though history is written, the future is anyone's to decide – with the knowledge gleaned from the past. (TT)

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has been honoured with the ‘Highest Revenue Business – Southern Region’ award at the Prachachat Business Awards 2026. The recognition, presented during a ceremony at Paragon Hall in Bangkok on 28 May 2026, is based on performance metrics and tax contributions evaluated by Prachachat Business News, the Department of Business Development and Creden Asia Company.

This accolade underscores STA’s pivotal role in advancing Thailand’s natural rubber sector and its dedication to sustainable, stable growth. The company continues to enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency while generating value for stakeholders, including farmers, partners, employees and investors. Amid global industry shifts, STA is committed to raising domestic rubber standards and strengthening its international market position.

The organisation prioritises responsible supply chain management, transparency and strong corporate governance. By integrating digital platforms and artificial intelligence, STA is modernising data connectivity across its operations, facilitating the industry’s transformation into the digital age and ensuring long-term resilience.

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Doublestar Tire showcased its European-market product portfolio at The Tire Cologne 2026, held in Germany from 9 to 11 June. The international exposition drew specialists from more than 100 countries and served as a venue for presenting sector-wide progress in sustainable manufacturing, intelligent production systems, and advanced material science. For Chinese tyre makers, the fair represents a strategic avenue into the European arena, and the company used this opportunity to reinforce its commercial momentum within the region.

Visitor interest at the manufacturer's stand remained high throughout the event, with many industry peers examining the aesthetic qualities and technical specifications of the displayed items. Product offerings fell into two principal categories, heavy-duty solutions and light-vehicle tyres, each engineered to satisfy distinct operational demands prevalent across European roads.

Among the commercial range, the DLD816 all-weather tyre emerged as a notable entry for extended haulage operations. Its construction incorporates cold-weather features and a reformulated rubber layer that extends operational lifespan, while closely spaced tread patterns furnish dependable grip under varied climatic circumstances. Stopping distance reductions on frozen surfaces received particular attention from logistics professionals.

The passenger side featured the DSU08 summer variant, which employs refined dynamic control architecture to harmonise acoustic comfort with responsive steering and durable construction. With a newly operational production facility in Cambodia complementing its European launch, the enterprise continues to cultivate its overseas standing through sustained client engagement and incremental market development.

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Continental is showcasing an expanded military tyre portfolio at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, with exhibits on display in Hall 5B at Booth A197. The lineup addresses a broad spectrum of operational needs, ranging from lightweight off-road vehicles to heavy logistics trucks and tactical deployment units, with a focus on maintaining mobility across difficult terrain, extreme loads and high-speed conditions.

Trade visitors to the Continental stand can examine flagship products such as the SOT Traction for heavy tactical platforms, the HCS for medium tactical and logistics vehicles and the Grabber X3 for light off-road applications. Each tyre is engineered for dependable performance on soft ground and in rugged environments, while the company’s sales representatives remain on-site throughout the event for individualized consultations to match specific mission profiles with appropriate tyre solutions.

Tyres in this category are distinguished by specialised tread designs, reinforced load-bearing capacities and adjusted speed ratings, alongside rugged constructions that ensure reliability during off-road operations. Continental develops these products through close cooperation with global customers, including national armed forces and original equipment manufacturers, integrating real-world operational feedback into the design process.

The company is actively broadening its defence-oriented tyre range, with all models conforming to stringent international standards for durability, safety and performance under extreme conditions. Longstanding partnerships in the military sector inform continuous product refinement, incorporating direct input on performance requirements. Eurosatory, held biennially in Paris, serves as a premier global venue for defence and security technology, drawing manufacturers, suppliers, military leadership and international delegations.

Matthis Riekemann, Project Lead at Continental responsible for developing the company’s military tyre business, said, “Eurosatory provides the ideal platform to present our expanded tyre portfolio for military vehicles. With our extensive experience in the tyre industry, technological expertise and global presence, as well as our distribution and service network, we deliver advanced tyre solutions that are precisely tailored to our customers’ needs.”

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Michelin has expanded its retail network in Rajasthan by opening a new Michelin Tyres & Services outlet in Bikaner. The facility results from a partnership with Bhagwati Tyres and is situated on Jaipur Road near the Khatu Shyam Temple. This location is intended to improve regional access to the company’s premium tyre products and advanced automotive care.

The 7,000-square-foot establishment functions as a contemporary mobility hub with customer-focused infrastructure. Shoppers can find high-end tyres for passenger cars and two-wheelers, while on-site technicians provide wheel alignment, balancing and nitrogen inflation. The official opening ceremony featured Annu Mehla, the North and East B2C regional sales head, alongside representatives from Bhagwati Tyres.

Bhagwati Motors Nokha Private Limited has operated in Rajasthan since 2006 and possesses more than 20 years of local market experience. The firm has made substantial investments in spacious retail spaces to elevate the tyre buying experience. Through its collaboration with Michelin, the enterprise seeks to offer tyre solutions that emphasise safety, longevity and strong performance, thereby aiding the region’s automotive sector.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “As mobility aspirations continue to evolve across India, we are seeing growing demand for premium products and high-quality automotive services beyond traditional metropolitan markets. Bikaner represents an important growth market for Michelin in Rajasthan, driven by increasing vehicle ownership and a rising appreciation for performance and safety. This expansion is aligned with our plans to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, reinforcing our commitment to delivering globally benchmarked products tailored for Indian consumers.”

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