Korea

MNCs in the News-2016-09-30

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) dismisses foreign business concerns about the investment environment for foreign direct investment (FDI). Microsoft, whose Windows 8 was banned two years ago on government computers, is now working on a localized government operating system for China. Outward FDI (OFDI) by Chinese financial institutions jumped 26 percent in 2015 while Chinese OFDI hit a new record. Chinese private firms become the dominant Chinese overseas direct investors in 2015. ChemChina seeks European Union approval of its immense acquisition of Syngenta AG. The parties involved in the Hinkley Point nuclear power complex project, which involves a major Chinese role, finally signed a contract for the deal. China and Thailand struggle to settle issues pertaining to a major joint railway project. China moves to bolster its investment, trade, and other forms of cooperation with Cuba. Japanese business delegation asks China to enhance exit procedures and antitrust rules. Indonesia may impose more than USD $400 tax bill on Google. Foreign pharmaceutical companies pour big money into Indonesia in anticipation of new health care opportunities. FDI accounts for more than 30 percent of Malaysian investment in the first six months of 2016. Thailand is moving to tighten tax collection rules for foreign internet and technology firms. Vietnam moving towards eliminating various caps on foreign involvement in its banking sector. Vietnam’s planned divestiture of Vinamilk could be a very positive sign for the country’s privatization drive.

MNCs in the News-2016-09-16

Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in China shows growth over the previous month year over year (YOY) and for the first eight months of 2016 YOY. China’s State Council announces China will adopt a nationwide negative list by October 1. Chinese outward FDI (OFDI) dramatically jumps over first 8 months of 2016. Chinese OFDI (COFDI) surges dramatically over first eight months of 2016. British government surprise review of Hinkley Point C nuclear plant deal involving China General Nuclear Corporation (CGNC) results in approval. Chinese government and CGNC pleased by British decision on Hinkley Point C. China is major investor in Myanmar’s power sector. Peru’s President expresses concerns about the financial viability and environmental consequences of a Chinese-proposed transcontinental railway from Brazil to Peru. Brexit may drive some political realignments between Japan and Britain, though Japanese companies await developments. GM Korea President James Kim calls for an end to worker strikes and warns of adverse consequences for GM Korea. Korean Fintech firms will push the Korean Fair Trade Commission to force Apple to open its APIs for near field communication. Following high level leader summit, Korean firms win many deals in Russia. Indonesia tax amnesty fails to produce anticipated results. Indonesian minister’s proposal to soften 2009 Mining Law draws fire. Thailand reports the Sino-Thai high-speed rail initiative is chugging forward.

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-2016-07-01

At the Annual Meeting of Champions, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stresses the value of foreign direct investment (FDI) and China’s plans to create a better environment for them. Some fret Microsoft’s acquisition of LinkedIn will complicate LinkedIn’s position in China. China’s State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) reports that China’s state-owned enterprises are increasing their outward activities. Huawei still plans to go forward with multi-billion dollar U.K. investment despite Brexit. Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail bid to open next year and likely will feature strong competition between Chinese and Japanese firms. Coming into effect of Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement opens up new opportunities for European law firms to set up joint ventures (JVs) with Korean ones. End of sanctions and high-level summits create opportunities for Doosan heavy Industries & Construction in seawater desalination sector in Iran. Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) to help American firms explore opportunities in Indonesia’s mining and infrastructure sectors. BKPM Chairman Franky Sibarani does not see Brexit affecting British investment in Indonesia. Registered FDI in Vietnam continues to show impressive growth with strong increases in FDI flowing into the manufacturing and processing sectors. Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training works to create a better environment for education investing in Vietnam.

MNCs in the News-2016-06-17

China’s inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) shows a slight decline in May year-over-year (YOY), though the figures for the first five months of 2016 showed a moderate increase (YOY). Chinese Premier Li Keqiang tells German officials and executives that China plans to improve the investment environment for them as well as others. In China, German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls for independent judiciary and level playing field for foreign firms. XpressWest unilaterally terminates its contract with China Railway International for the construction of a high-speed railway linking Las Vegas and Los Angeles. China National Chemical Corp. (ChemChina) resubmits its Syngenta deal to the Committee on Foreign Investments in the U.S. for national security review. South Korean investigators descend on Lotte Group in connection with allegations of a slush fund. Korea and Azerbaijan agree to expand economic cooperation in areas like investment and infrastructure. South Korea plans to reform government-run energy companies to improve their financial soundness and operating efficiency. Indonesia and Japanese oil giant Inpex reach a deal on the multi-billion dollar Masela onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant which may bring more new opportunities for Japanese business to invest in Indonesia. Japanese firms look very favorably upon Vietnam as an investment destination.

MNCs in the News-2016-05-27

At the 8th Strategic and Economic Dialogue talks, the US will press China to improve its business and investment climate. China say it will propose a global investment code at the upcoming G20 summit in Hangzhou. Tsinghua Unigroup’s leadership is unconcerned about the possibilities the new Taiwan leadership may review two of its investments in Taiwanese testing and packaging chip companies. Chinese bidding consortium goes to Malaysia to tout its advantages for the Singapore-Malaysia high-speed rail project. Indian Finance Minister plans to pursue vigorous implementation of a Japan high-speed rail project linking Ahmedabad and Mumbai when he visits Japan at the end of this month. Japanese firms want the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union. South Korean cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait leads to accelerate of SK Gas Ltd.’s liquid petroleum gas-based gas chemistry business. Frustrated with a stalled legal case, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has decided to pull out of a major Nigerian oil exploration and development project. Indonesia is working hard to finalize all the regulations (new and revised) in its 12 economic policy packages. Global rating agencies seem to like Indonesia’s investment quality. Thailand is pushing Food Innopolis, a food cluster designed to enhance the value of the country’s crops. Vietnam’s inward FDI for the first five months of 2016 grows strongly over the comparable period in 2015. Foreign investors can enter the theater industry in Vietnam.

MNCs in the News-2016-05-20

Chinese committee has been examining technology products (hardware, software, and other) sold by by big foreign companies for security risks. Apple CEO Tim Cook meets with Chinese officials in an additional effort to curry government favor. Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. has big globalization plans which include working with foreign government partners. Nissan faces South Korea fines and mandatory recall as well as consumer lawsuits over so-called emissions defeat device. South Korean CJ Group senior managers meet with top level Indonesian delegation to discuss cooperation. At forum in Seoul, Indonesian president welcomes more Korean investment and emphasizes his government’s progress in creating a better investment environment. Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said meets with US companies to tout investment opportunities in the energy sector. Thailand and China continue negotiations to settle on cost estimates for the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail project. Uber Technologies press Thai officials to legalize its services. Singaporean investors continue to remain important to Vietnam. Vietnam’s State Capital Investment Corporation and the Russian Direct Investment Fund sign MoU to establish a Russian-Vietnamese investment platform.

MNCs in the News-2016-04-22

China’s Ministry of Commerce underscores reasons to be optimistic about inward foreign direct investment flows into China. China experiences a massive creation of foreign-funded enterprises between 2011 and 2015. China’s National Development and Reform Commission will test a “negative list” approach in Fujian, Guangdong, Shanghai, and Tianjin. The American Chamber of Commerce in China expresses concern about China’s policies and what it sees as a lack of serious commitment to reform. In testimony before Congress, Apple denies that it had provided iPhone source code to China. Chinese anti-trust investigators now seem to be turning their attention to Korean firms after targeting German and Japanese firms. China’s Chinese outward foreign direct investment (COFDI) and M&A deals show significant growth in the first quarter of 2016. EY forecasts strong Chinese outward FDI growth averaging 10 percent partly because of the One Belt, One Road program. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission reports it succeeded in getting Apple to revise the problematic Authorized Service Agreement it had concluded with six Korean repair service providers. Government data indicates the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement is stimulating COFDI into Korea. Indonesia’s President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will visit four European countries to promote European investment in Indonesia. Denmark concludes Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesia involving capital and technology in exchange for land. Experts call for Vietnam to be more selective in granting tax incentives to foreign investors and encourage it to strengthen its FDI management capabilities. Myanmar grants a license to Vietnam’s military-run Telecommunications Group (Viettel) to build a multi-billion dollar telecommunications network.

MNCs in the News-2016-04-08

China fails to submit new negative list proposal to US. Chinese firms are pouring money overseas driven by a depreciating currency among other factors. The Washington Post calls for a new approach to Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) that takes into account non-traditional risks. ZTE replaces three top executives in reaction to US sanctions and warns of possible further penalties. China’s Beijing Urban Construction Group wins bid to build a US $300 million international cargo hub and airport in Bolivia. Korea Electric Power Corp. wins its first overseas solar power plant contract. Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board warns it will annul the investment permits of foreign companies that are avoiding their tax obligations. Indonesia and France work to expand the possibilities for French infrastructure investment in Indonesia. Thailand’s United Power of Asia Plc has signed an agreement with Myanmar’s state utility to construct a gas-fired power plant in the Dawei special economic zone. Russia and the US are competing for investment opportunities in Vietnam. Vietnam moves to increase its harvest of investment, especially FDI, in the agricultural area. Vietnamese representatives court investors from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao at a seminar in Hong Kong.

MNCs in the News-2016-04-01

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasizes China’s willingness to work harder to create a favorable environment for foreign investors. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stresses that the country’s planned rules on Internet domain names will not affect companies’ “normal operations.” China will set up its first overseas permanent military base in Djibouti. China’s Railway Rolling Stock Corp. aims to win large amounts of business in the developed world. In the face of US Senatorial concerns, Syngenta AG insists a China National Chemical Corp. takeover would not raise security issues. Japan may finance a multi-billion dollar deep-sea port project in Patimban, Indonesia. JR Tokai and its American partner Texas Central Partners (TCP) are going to ask the US Federal Railroad Administration to set new rules allowing an ultrahigh-speed to be built to Japanese bullet train specifications. Mercedes-Benz Korea not rolling along as far as the Korean government is concerned. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion probes if Korean companies should relocate from the shuttered Kaesong Industrial Complex to Vietnam. Korean businesses and association, in collaboration with the government, will establish a public-private consultative council to boost overseas Korean construction business. Thai Democrats challenge financing model for Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed train line. Vietnamese inward foreign direct investment for the first quarter of 2016 surges over the comparable period a year earlier.

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