MIIT

MNCs in the News-2020-03-06

China assures foreign investors measures to “help firms resume operations and restore supply chains” disrupted by the coronavirus epidemic will treat “foreign and domestic companies equally.” Foreign intellectual property filings (invention patents and trademarks) in China show respectable growth in 2019 over the prior year due to legal, regulatory, and processing improvements. Beijing Kunlun on the verge of fulfilling United States (US) Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to sell Grindr. CFIUS reportedly has advised US President Donald Trump to block German firm Infineon, who counts China as a major client, planned purchase of Cypress Semiconductor. Japan’s Council on Investment in the Future contemplating ways to protect the economy from supply chains disruption in China caused by the coronavirus epidemic. The Japan Institute for Overseas Investment has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with Zambia to join a network to facilitate FDI flows to Zambia. Korea Communication Commission develops arbitration proposal that might serve as a template for resolving conflicts between content providers and service providers. Vietnam to quarantine all visitors from South Korea potentially hindering Korean companies that are becoming increasingly prominent investors there.

MNCs in the News-2017-03-31

Chinese government financial institutions intensify their backing for China’s “Made in China 2025” initiative and press non-governmental bodies to increase their support. Chinese law on joint ventures with specific requirements regarding new energy vehicles alarms foreign carmakers which fear they will be required to transfer technology. Beijing Intellectual Property Court supports Apple on design patent dispute with Shenzhen Baili. United States Trade Representative office issues report on trade barriers, highlighting many problems relating to China’s treatment of American companies in China. Chinese officials continue to defend their intensified oversight of Chinese outward investment. Tsinghua Unigroup garners massive new aid pledges from the China Development Bank and China national chip fund. Myanmar reportedly will restart construction on a China financed oil pipeline. Last week, the Chinese business community in Kenya establishing a lobbying group. Westinghouse’s bankruptcy filing means troubled Toshiba faces a potential net loss of USD $9 billion net loss in 2016. Russia and Japan discuss plans for investment projects and other joint cooperation on the disputed Kuril Islands. SK Innovation Co. freezes the operations of its battery packing plant in China, denying they relate to Chinese economic sanctions against Korea. Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co. secures Saudi Arabia seawater desalination deal worth over USD $400 million. Mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia agrees to convert its contract of work into a special mining permit, providing a potential basis for a settlement of its disputes with the Indonesia government.

MNCs in the News-2017-01-27

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology sooths foreign firms over upcoming restrictions on VPN providers. Trump administration trade officials back a tougher line towards Chinese semiconductor investment and greater support for home firms. China stresses how Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in the US promotes manufacturing there and creates jobs. Hon Hai is considering a USD $7 billion investment in a joint flat panel project in the US with Pennsylvania a leading contender. In the wake of growing anxieties over Chinese investment, Australia moves to prepare review of strategic infrastructure. Apparently incentivized by Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other anti-trade statement, Toyota talks up $600 million investment plan. Toshiba’s troubles in the UK may force it to take on new partners and get United Kingdom (UK) government financing. Domestic and international political uncertainties seem to be driving a slowdown in inward FDI flows into Indonesia. Chinese outward FDI to Indonesia has been exploding, but it is uncertain if it will continue given uncertainties there plus anti-Chinese sentiments.

MNCs in the News-2016-02-26

China will ban foreign companies, including foreign-invested joint ventures (JVs), from publishing online media, games, and other creative content within China’s borders. Deals involving Chinese companies receive the highest number of Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) reviews for the third straight year. US administration and Congressional sensitivity to Chinese investments in the US reportedly grows. Indian bullet train deal with Japan leads to new construction and parts opportunities for Japanese companies. Violent protests in Rohtak forces Maruti Suzki to suspend its production activities. Korea Industrial Complex Corporation will help Hoa Khanh Industrial Complex develop industrial symbiosis projects. Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism awards integrated casino resort project to U.S. casino operator Mohegan Sun. Indonesia negative list and other policy measures directed at foreign investors draw increasing attention to the country. Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board plans to boost foreign investment from Southeast Asia countries, especially Singapore and Malaysia. Indonesia’s cold-storage industry hopes government will act to shape the form and location of FDI in its sector. The Thai Payment Network will issue millions to card to advance government’s national e-payment initiative. Thailand’s Board of Investments will open branches abroad to help Thai companies invest overseas.

MNCs in the News-2015-10-16

Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into China grew 7.1 percent in September over the prior year. China’s National Development Reform Commission expects to produce first draft of antirust guidelines for the automobile sector by the end of October. China’s State Administration of Taxation moves forward with plan to deal with tax avoidance issues such as transfer pricing. Google reported activates Google Maps and Google Earth on and moves servers to the Chinese mainland. IBM to allow China to view its security codes in a clean room to assuage Chinese concerns about foreign technology. Chinese OFDI continues to show strength, especially along One Belt, One Road. Russian subnational units court Chinese investment. Dakang New Zealand pulls out of massive dairy investment in New Zealand blaming regulatory obstacles. Chinese anticorruption authorities move against Sam Pa as part of investigation of Su Shulin and Sinopec. Japan works with Iran to bolster its investment opportunities in the country. Korea’s Trade-Investment Promotion Agency holds job fair to help young Korean jobseekers land positions with foreign companies in Korea and abroad. Starbucks Coffee Korea brews up a new mix of programs to give back to the community in Korea. Korean firms score well in winning packages to build a massive oil refinery in Kuwait. Freeport favors IPO divestment method to satiate Indonesian government requirements for ownership stake reallocation.

MNCs in the News-2015-06-26

China and US will exchange revised Negative Lists pursuant to their Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) negotiations. China undertakes various initiatives to bolster the e-commerce sector in China including opening the sector to foreign investors. Chinese steel companies contemplate investment in Southeast Asia, pushed by government and pulled by host country attractions. Taiwan’s Hon Hai will build vertically integrated supply chain in India to tap into Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” scheme. Japanese development agency, Japanese companies, and Myanmar work together on training initiative to lay a foundation for future railway investment opportunities. Indonesia works to court Chinese and Japanese investors in labor-intensive and export-oriented areas. Outward investment from Singapore plummets 78.1 percent year-over-year in first half of 2015

MNCs in the News-2015-06-19

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in China in May increases by 7.8 percent year-over-year (YOY). New York Times expects Chinese leaders to take heed of foreign business opposition to proposed restrictive Chinese policy measures. Cisco touts plan to invest US $10 billion in China to fund innovation, equity investment, and research and development. China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) may turn its attention to cases similar to Qualcomm where there is suspect abuse of intellectual property rights (IPR). China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology expands opportunities for foreign investors in e-commerce sector. Stabilized bilateral political relations prop up Japanese FDI in China while China’s less appealing economic prospects and labor issues spur a decline. China’s outward FDI continues to surge with massive increases in Chinese FDI in the EU. Australian government touts investment benefits of recently signed China-Australia Free Trade Agreement

MNCs in the News-2015-05-29

Hewlett-Packard (HP) sells majority stake in Chinese networking division to Tsinghua University. Beijing will open its service sector to spur greater foreign investment. Blocked Twitter actively courts Chinese companies at Shanghai event. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology contemplates new software security guidelines. Chinese gold miners in Sudan face unexpected loss of business opportunities due to sudden government termination order. Japanese Prime Minister Abe proposed huge increase in infrastructure financing to aid Japanese businesses and counter China. Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board and Indonesian Consulate General in Osaka sign agreement to cooperate on attracting Japanese investment into Indonesia’s maritime sector. Indonesia reaffirms it will takeover Total’s Mahakam gas block and a PT Freeport Indonesia controlled gold site. Vietnam expects law changes to spur new foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into its construction sector. Russia and Vietnam probe expanded investment cooperation.