Africa

Dr. Amitendu Palit's picture

BRI and FOIP: Politicizing Investments

Dr. Amitendu Palit
Posted: Nov 07, 2018

The Asia-Pacific Region (APR) is experiencing a surge of connectivity initiatives. China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is now accompanied by the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). There is also the upcoming Asia-Africa Growth Corridor being promoted by Japan and India.

Executive Director Jean-Marc F. Blanchard presents paper at 2018-09-21 Workshop on China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative, Africa, and Middle East

On September 21, 2018, the Mr. & Mr. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporation (Wong MNC Center) and the University of Nottingham, Ningbo jointly held a workshop on China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRSI), Africa, and the Middle East.

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard's picture

Dirty Foreign Direct Investment? Chinese Outward FDI and Pollution Pathologies

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard
Posted: Aug 18, 2018

In the 1970s, Tokyo adopted a conscious strategy to encourage outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) by Japanese firms as a way to mitigate the poisonous pollution flowing from Japan’s economic miracle.

Dr. Amitendu Palit's picture

EODB Rankings Augur Well for BRI Investments

Dr. Amitendu Palit
Posted: Nov 22, 2017

The recently released World Bank Ease of Doing Business (EODB) rankings have interesting findings relating to some of the countries involved in China’s Belt-and-Road (BRI) infrastructure project. One of the major groups of countries to have improved EODB rankings since last year is Central Asia. Kazakhstan (+1.06), Azerbaijan (+3.12), Uzbekistan (+4.46), Ukraine (+1.90), Kyrgyz Republic (+0.54) and Tajikistan (0.93) have all moved up the EODB ladder.

Wong MNC Center "The Political Economy of China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI), Africa, and the Middle East" Conference a Big Success

On November 18 and 19, 2017, the "Political Economy of China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI), Africa, and the Middle East" conference was held in Shanghai, China. The conference, orchestrated and co-sponsored by the Mr. & Mrs. S.H.

MNCs in the News-2017-05-26

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reports the country will significantly reduce its negative list for inward foreign direct investment (FDI). China counters German criticisms of its market access by saying it will open its auto sector and that Germany had profited substantially from China’s past opening. China’s new cybersecurity law is sparking foreign companies to move to comply and deterring foreign company hardware/software sales. From January through April, China’s non-financial outward FDI drops significantly versus the same period last year. Japanese firms cooperate with US counterparts to develop missile defense radar. Japanese firms not enthused about China’s OBOR and see better business opportunities flowing from other initiatives. Japanese multinational firms that have invested heavily in Africa are worried about the continent’s prolonged economic slump. The leader of Korean SK Group leave for Beijing to meet with Chinese officials to normalize relations after his country’s installation of THAAD. K-Sure signs USD $3 billion deal to finance clean fuels project in Kuwait. Geely buys 49.9 percent of troubled Malaysian carmaker Proton. Malaysian Prime Minister says government programs make Malaysia’s FDI inflows for this year surpass last year’s. Vietnam plans to set up three special economic zones to boost foreign investment. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister reiterates country’s dedication to welcoming foreign investors.

MNCs in the News-2016-09-02

China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee adopts amendments that allow for the permanent suspension of four foreign investment related laws in the Fujian, Guangdong, Shanghai, and Tianjin Free Trade Zones (FTZ). China has decided to allow for the creation of six new provincial FTZs as well as one municipal level FTZ, with each place expected to play to its features and comparative advantages. The European Chamber of Commerce in China asserts China’s market barriers are politically unsustainable. China’s Ministry of Commerce confirms to reporters that it is investigating the proposed Didi-Uber merger. British Prime Minister Theresa May confirms she would have her National Security Council examine the potential security implications of China’s participation in the massive Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant project. Japan pledges USD $30 billion investment in Africa at the 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development. Japanese trading firms find electrifying power project opportunities in Africa. Korean free economic zones are not achieving the anticipated results. Indonesian state-owned enterprises seek funding from multiple sources to fund the country’s massive infrastructure plans. Vietnam and Cuba aim to boost bilateral investment flows.

MNCs in the News-2016-01-08

China’s inward foreign direct investment in 2015 hits record levels. China plays hard with Mister Softee. Uber Technologies hails local partners to build up its presence in China and win favor with local governments. Japanese firm becomes first foreign firm to obtain permission to sell automobile insurance in Myanmar. Korean construction firms witness dramatic drop in overseas construction contracts. Indonesia does not necessarily subscribe to Netflix’s planned entry into the country. New Thailand-Singapore double taxation treaty has important implications for Thai investment in Singapore. Singaporean health care players stand ready to exploit a more favorable environment in China’s health care sector. FDI flows into Vietnam hit record in 2015. Vietnam’s State Bank of Vietnam publishes rules about foreign financial institutions planning to establish non-banking financial companies

MNCs in the News-2015-12-04

China’s General Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine announces recall of more than 10,000 Mercedes cars due to airbag defects. China moves to develop “Made in China” drugs. China’s rising overseas economic presence reflected in its negotiations with Djibouti to build a logistics hub. Top Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) leader highlights potential for further Chinese investment in Africa. At the latest China-Africa Cooperation Summit, Xi Jinping oversees expansion of Chinese economic cooperation with South Africa and other African countries. Ambitious $50 billion Nicaragua canal plan delayed by at least one year, intensifying doubts about its viability. Sino-Russian joint venture (JV) set up to build rail equipment for Moscow-Kazan high-speed rail line. Xiamen University to invest in campus in Malaysia that will support the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. Bank of China facing $50,000/day fine under US District Court contempt order. Nissan moves to limit French government and Renault interference in Nissan-Renault alliance. Japan agrees to provide funding to Indonesia for various mass transit and power projects. Japanese firm lands power deals with Botswana. British firms eager to exploit public-private partnership opportunities in Thailand. Thai Prime Minister emphasizes need for Thai-China railway to move forward. Indonesian government seems reluctant to start early negotiations with Freeport-McMoRan about the Grasberg mine. Vietnam reports significant increase in foreign direct investment inflows up to November 2015.

MNCs in the News-2015-11-27

Google Play app store ready to play in China. Chinese investment in the American financial sector dwarfs American investment in the Chinese financial sector. U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade meeting reportedly yields agreement on the protection of trade secrets and opens Chinese market further to certain types of American firms. Payoff of GlaxoSmithKline’s measures to recover from its 2014 China bribery scandal remain unclear. MOFCOM touts China’s opportunities to Japanese firms and hopes they will invest in “emerging sectors.” Premier Li Keqiang says China will invest $1 trillion overseas in the next five years. Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) and contract work continues to record impressive results. Chinese firm private firm outward FDI (OFDI) shows impressive growth. Chinese OFDI in Africa, though, collapses. China promises $10 billion in infrastructure loans to Association of Southeast Asian Nation countries. Chinese train company motoring along in Malaysia. China National Corporation for Overseas Economic Cooperation fires up over Mexican energy sector investment. Chinese companies power up nuclear energy cooperation with Argentina. Japan opens its purse strings to win more infrastructure deals and counter China. Japan expresses its displeasure to Indonesia about Indonesia’s awarding of a high-speed rail contract to China. Japanese public private fund steps forward to finance Texas high-speed rail. Indonesia will act to revise its negative investment list to exclude e-commerce companies.

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