In today��s marketplace we no longer simply buy products, they come wrapped with service offerings. The more developed an economy is, the better are the service levels. In this paper, the author argues that supply chains enable an economy to become more competitive, provide better products and services. The more efficient a country supply chain is, the more competitive the economy becomes. Supply chains accomplish this by efficiently managing the flows of materials, information, payments, and ownership. A few recent case studies are discussed to support the argument and questions are posed towards formulating logistics and supply chain strategies in the Asia-Pacific for the new millennium.

Professor Prabir Bagchi is the Director of Operations Management and Logistics at The George Washington University, DC, USA. He is also a faculty member involved in the Senior Executive Development Programme and Executive MBA Programme. Professor Prabir Bagchi obtained his PhD in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, USA. His areas of expertise include Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Business Strategy, Product and Process Development, Management of Technology, Quality Management and Operations Management. He has fifteen years experience at senior management level in the private sector, twelve years of consulting and academic experience in the above areas in both developed and developing countries. Professor Bagchi is a regular speaker in national and international conferences in logistics and supply chain management.