Saudi Arabia

MNCs in the News-2019-07-12

Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into China continue to grow, especially in the high-tech sector. Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) official states that Inward FDI (IFDI) is not leaving China en masse and that China will “protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors.” Chinese outward FDI (OFDI) to Europe and North America over the first six months of 2019 shows a noticeable decrease over the same period the prior year. Despite a spying incident and Poland’s President saying he was opposed to Chinese OFDI (COFDI) in strategic infrastructure, Poland’s Foreign Minister told visiting Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi Poland is open to COFDI. Korea reacts strongly to Japanese media report in which a senior member of Japan’s Liberal Democratic party charged dual-use chemicals exported to South Korea ended up in the North. Japan is surprised at Seoul’s strong response to it instituting tighter controls on the export of certain chemicals to South Korea and Seoul making the issue a World Trade Organization (WTO) issue. Japan moving towards a formal WTO case regarding Seoul’s provision of subsidies to South Korean shipbuilders. Hyundai Engineering and Construction signs a $2.7 billion contract with Saudi Aramco for two projects relating to a massive oil and gas refining complex.

MNCs in the News-2019-04-05

Chinese government shines light on subnational units that are making it difficult for foreign direct investment (FDI). China lubricating way for foreign energy giants to enter its petrochemical sector. Beijing is drafting rules to identify a list of BRI projects officially acknowledged by the Chinese government. China’s expansion in Latin America via the BRI raises US anxieties. British officials and senior labor union members will travel to Japan to press Honda to review its decision to shut down its United Kingdom (UK) Swindon plant. Toshiba experiencing delays in securing approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to sell its liquefied natural gas (LNG) business to a Chinese company. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) risks bid to become long-term maintenance service provider of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (ENEC) Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant because of its unilateral decision to replace plant’s workforce. Responding to a Saudi Arabian Cabinet member’s interview reporting “‘advanced’” talks, Hyundai Motor denied plans to build a new manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia.

MNCs in the News-2019-02-22

Shanghai municipal government investment measures appear to have enabled the city to maintain strong foreign investment growth despite a challenging environment. BIStel says it will expand its investment in China despite the China-United States trade war because China is its biggest target market. Saudi Arabia’s Aramco signs Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for investment in major refining and petrochemical investments in Liaoning that may substantially boost energy exports to China. According to China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), Chinese non-financial outbound FDI in 47 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) increased 8.1 percent year-over-year. Despite uncertainties over Brexit, Chinese companies remain interested in investing in the United Kingdom. Tokyo considers backing Russia’s Novatek’s Arctic liquefied natural gas project in the hopes of bolstering Japan’s negotiating position in territorial talks with Moscow. An increasing number of Japanese automakers are leaving or reconsidering their position in the UK as Brexit fast approaches. Seoul expects the second US-North Korea summit to facilitate inter-Korean investment projects including a Korea peninsula rail link. India and South Korea agreed to enhance cooperation in diverse economic areas, including many pertaining to investment.

MNCs in the News-2018-08-03

Shanghai’s release of 100 policies seems to be drawing in foreign direct investment (FDI) in advanced manufacturing and benefitting foreign firms in remanufacturing. Google reportedly will launch censored search engine in China in 6-8 months. China’s National Development and Reform Commission lightens up restrictions on overseas borrowings by Chinese companies. Negative security review leads Yantai Taihai Group to drop plan to buy Germany’s Leifeld Metal Spinning AG. Japan, US, and Australia agree to invest in infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific in an apparent move to counter China. Japan seeks to cooperate with Moscow on construction of liquefied natural gas transfer hub in Russia’s Far East to minimize supply risks. Korean government to invest USD $1.3 trillion in 10-year next-generation semiconductor project to attract global semiconductor firms to set up plants in Korea. South Korea bolstering efforts to win bid for Saudi Arabia nuclear project after losing bid for United Kingdom construction project.

MNCs in the News-2018-07-06

There is some evidence China has started sanctioning American firms in China as a way to retaliate against American tariffs against Chinese goods. Foxxconn breaks ground on potential multi-billion dollar display screen plant in Wisconsin that allow it to profit from incentives and satiate Donald Trump’s America First campaign. United States (US) Department of Commerce allows ZTE limited duration, partial reprieve on seven-year comprehensive supply purchase ban. Pakistan seeks new funding from China, warning that failure might force it to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which might result in the end of some of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. Value of new Japanese FDI in US increases by 70 percent as President Trump pushes to expand employment. Japan and Kazakhstan to implement seven joint projects worth approximately USD $2 billion in areas like nuclear energy, transport and water supply. South Korea working with the US and the United Arab Emirates to win $19 billion power project in Saudi Arabia. Samsung urges Chinese officials to cancel discriminatory policies against foreign businesses. Malaysia and China are discussing a future visit to Beijing by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir in the wake of Kuala Lumpur’s suspension of Chinese projects valued over $20 billion. Malaysian senior trade official says country is open to more value-added investments from China.

MNCs in the News-2018-03-30

China responds to United States (US) World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint that its technology licensing practices are not WTO compliant. Washington considers new mechanisms for reviewing and limiting Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) into the US technology sector. The Head of Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board welcomes Chinese FDI as the country moves to improve its ability to minimize any related security threats. Takeda considering takeover of Irish drugmaker Shire as Japanese government seeks to tackle rising healthcare costs for its aging population. Softbank Vision Fund and Saudi Arabia to boost solar production in the Arab country. Tirebank intends to acquire Korean company Kumho Tire from Korea Development Bank because of frictions between Kumho’s workers union and Chinese buyer Doublestar. Renegotiation of South Korea-US Free Trade Agreement causes Hyundai to move production of its new pick-up truck model from Korea to the US. Pertamina reports it secured a contract with the Iranian government to take an 80 percent stake in Mansouri oil field. Jakarta put forth simplified tax holiday scheme in bid to boost investment in the country. Thailand approves USD $7.22 billion high-speed rail project to link three airports. Japanese electric vehicle producers flocking to Thailand in the wake of government promotion packages. Joint venture between Malaysia’s Yinson Holdings and PetroVietnam ordered to stop operations in Vietnamese offshore oil field due to Chinese pressure. InvestKL on track to bring in 100 multinational corporations by 2020. Hanoi announces list of sectors that would be prioritized to receive Japanese high-technology and investment. New Franco-Vietnamese investment deals signed as Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary visits France.

MNCs in the News-2018-03-02

Apple stores key for accessing Chinese users iCloud data in China raising human rights and privacy concerns. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) opposition causes Xcerra to terminate sale to Chinese investment fund. Chinese automakers not braking on their overseas expansion despite legal and regulatory issues facing outward foreign direct investment (FDI). Shanghai government takes over CEFC China Energy. Toyota to build next generation of Auris model cars in England despite worries about effect of Brexit. Kubota Corp. to spend over USD $3.1 billion on three new US production plants in a bid to mitigate foreign exchange risks and jump market barriers. Mounting pressure in the US to impose trade restrictions on various Korean-made products cause Samsung Electronics to consider more US based production facilities. Kumho Tire under pressure to find new majority shareholder given opposition to Chinese investment in a firm that operates defense businesses. Foreign investors charged up about investment opportunities in Indonesian electric vehicle battery sector because of the country's backward energy infrastructure and battery technology. Indonesia's BIBU plans to work with foreign partners/investors to build a new airport in Bali subject to Ministry of Transportation approval. Russia proposes joint innovation fund with Thailand to increase investment in technology. Najib Razak announces Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil and gas conglomerate Aramco will invest USD $7 billion into Malaysia before March 31. Vietnam approves Vietcombank's sale of a 10 percent stake to foreign investors as Hanoi rolls back restrictions on foreign investment in the sector.

MNCs in the News-2018-02-02

2018 China Business Climate Survey Report indicates "American companies overwhelmingly feel less welcome than before…and want the U.S. government to put more pressure on Beijing." American jury finds Chinese wind turbine maker Sinovel of stealing trade secrets that cost American Superconductor Inc. $800 million. Australia tightens rules relating to sale of power and agricultural assets to foreign investors. United Arab Emirates' state-owned Abu Dhabi Oil Company to expand partnerships with Japanese petrochemical companies. Muji's China subsidiary maps out new catalog strategy after Beijing criticizes its portrayal of boundaries. POSCO E&C withdraws from project to build steel mill in Iran because of high political tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Samsung Engineering resolves conflict with Omani government over USD $1 billion construction deal with Oman's state-owned refinery company Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company. Pertamina awards USD $10 billion refinery project to consortium of Omani and Japanese businesses. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group proposes to merge its Indonesian subsidiary with local Indonesian lender to take advantage of Jakarta's banking consolidation drive. Royal Dutch Shell sells control of Thai Bongkot gas field to Thailand's state-owned gas producer PTT Exploration and Production for USD $750 million after failed effort to sell to non-Thai buyer. Thailand's largest state-owned petrochemical company PTT Global Chemical partners with Korea's Daelim Industrial to build USD $5.7 billion petrochemical plant in Ohio. Alibaba Group partnering with Malaysian Government's Digital Economy Corporation to set up artificial intelligence traffic system in capital. Malaysia's state-owned oil company Petronas acquired 6 oil and gas blocks for undisclosed amount from Mexican government in recent auction. Four foreign investors registered to become strategic investors in Vietnam's GENCO 3 as the Hanoi seeks to offload shares of the company. PetroVietnam Gas looking to gain Hanoi's approval to divest 30 percent of its stock to a foreign strategic investor.

MNCs in the News-2018-01-19

Various Chinese government agencies press foreign companies to ensure websites respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Shanghai consumer council not peachy about Apple's alleged old battery induced phone slowdown. China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announces that Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) drops by almost 30 percent in 2017 year-over-year. US Congressmen urge AT&T to hang up interactions with Huawei leading China to call for level playing field. Mexico's state-owned oil provider Pemex selects Mitsui as partner for USD $2.6 billion coking plant. Mitsubishi partners with Vietnamese government to promote electric vehicles. South Korea's antitrust watchdog concludes Qualcomm must adhere to new requirements to complete its USD $38 billion NXP acquisition. South Korean companies increasingly turning to joint ventures to mitigate risk and reduce setbacks due to political turmoil. Indonesian government pushing for Saudi Arabian firms to invest USD $1.6 billion in new light rail transit line. Indonesian government wants to attract more foreign investment in its financial institutions. Thai government's incentives for eco-friendly cars drive Mazda to invest USD $357 million to upgrade its Rayong plant to produce hybrid electric vehicles. Thailand's BoI expects applications for foreign investment to increase to USD $22.6 due to improved political relationships with both US and EU. Malaysia's Permodalan Nasional and state-operated EPF plan to buy Britain's Battersea Power Station Project for USD $2.2 billion. Mitsubishi to expand its operations in Vietnam boosted by Vietnamese government incentives. Pending government approval, Amata Corporation plans to invest USD $485 million in Vietnam.

MNCs in the News-2018-01-08

Chinese drug approval authorities likely to approve several blockbuster foreign drugs in 2018. Hyundai Motor Group faces declining sales growth in 2018 in large part due to political and economic challenges in China. China State-Owned Assets Supervision and Advisory Commission (SASAC) to issue new guidelines to improve behavior of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in various areas. United States (US) Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) concerns leads China’s Ant Financial and US MoneyGram to terminate the former’s acquisition of the latter. Japan’s Toshiba Corp sells floundering US nuclear business Westinghouse, which went bankrupt after regulations and other factors stalled many of its projects, to Canada’s Brookfield. US legal process for Takata Corp.’s US unit coming to completion, which should allow company to make payouts to claimants who suffered from Takata’s faulty airbags. Korea urges US policy makers to reconsider the US International Trade Commission's recommended special tariff on imported Korean washers. Lotte Group struggling to shed its politically troubled Chinese hypermarket chain after talks with Thai conglomerate failed to produce agreeable sale price. Indonesia’s state-owned energy company Pentamina took back control of Indonesia’s largest oil and gas block helping Jakarta to expand its control over domestic energy production. Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board launches several measures to spur 10 to 14 percent year on year growth in FDI. Thailand’s Board of Investment expects FDI into its EEC to continue to grow as new EEC policies are implemented and foreign companies become familiar with EEC requirements. Chinese FDI into Malaysia is expected to move out of infrastructure and property development and into new sectors due to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Japanese Ambassador touts that Japanese firms have a good chance to win Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail project. Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has set a new deadline for long delayed Chinese-funded Cat Linh rail project

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