Didi Kuaidi

MNCs in the News-2016-05-13

Inward FDI into China between January and April rises almost 5 percent over the same period last year. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang touts China’s plan to take measures to encourage greater inward foreign direct investment. China is investigating foreign and domestic drug firms for possible violations of competition laws and regulations. Foreign pharmaceutical firms in China take action to offset profit pressures flowing from government actions. Apple invests $1 billion in Didi Chuxing, following various adverse actions against it in China. Beijing Municipal Court denies Zhujiang Beverage the ability to use the Facebook name on its products. China outward deals in 2016 to date already have topped the figures for 2015. Some Chinese state-owned enterprises are adopting the sovereign immunity defense to escape legal liability in the U.S. SK Group explores cooperation possibilities with Kuwaiti government and businesses officials visiting Seoul. Using investor state dispute measures Hanocal Holdings is suing the Korean government for compensation over excess taxes. Indonesian President urges his Cabinet to do more to improve the ease of doing business and to garner an investment grade rating from Standard & Poor’s. Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board Chairman Franky Sibarani touts his country’s reforms at the HSBC Economic Outlook 2016 conference. Indonesia President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo meets with Chinese State Council Yang Jiechi to discuss investment and trade cooperation. Vietnam calls on foreign firms to contribute more to Vietnam’s economic development.

MNCs in the News-2015-10-09

Leading car hailing services apply for legal status from Chinese authorities. The US has identified Chinese companies that it feels profited from Chinese military hack of US corporate data. Inward FDI in Korea is heavily concentrated around Seoul, though the trend is not as strong as in past years. Korea is considering imposing “Google tax” on mobile and electronic device app and content purchases. Volkswagen Korea will issue written apology for software that provided deceptive vehicle emissions data. Hansae plans to build a large plant in Haiti to jump US tariff walls. Indonesia grapples with Japan’s displeasure with its awarding of a medium-speed speed rail project to China. Malaysia expresses confidence that state-linked firms are capable of dealing with the challenges of TPP related competition. Singapore pressures retailers not to do procure from or sell the products of firms associated with massive fires in Indonesia that are polluting Singapore. Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Agency will take measures against Volkswagen for its scheme to circumvent environmental regulations.