SMEs

MNCs in the News-2021-June

China adopts law for countering foreign sanctions, which some in foreign business community in China fear may be applied against it. Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China releases report highlighting anxieties about uncertainties created for Japanese firms by a slew of new, ambiguous laws and regulations such as the unreliable entities list and national security review law. Current data do not support the thesis that China’s national security law for Hong Kong has damaged Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center. Chinese firms are expanding their overseas operations to escape home country competition, gain local knowledge, and so on. Chinese outward foreign direct investment in Belt and Road Initiative countries shows respectable growth over first five months of 2021 versus prior year period. Japan continues along the path of greater regulation of internet giants and their potential abuse of market power. South Korean district court dismisses wartime labor compensation lawsuit brought by a group of Koreans against 16 Japanese companies. Korean firms substantially increase their lobbying activities in the United States for various political and economic reasons. Korean consortium’s hopes to win nuclear power plant bid rise with Czech government’s decision to rule out the involvement of Chinese and Russian companies.

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.

Mr. Naoyuki Haraoka's picture

Servicing Trade in Services through Proper Government Policies

With ongoing digital innovation (entailing evolving information and digital technology), trade in services is exploding globally. The Asia-Pacific Region (APR), in particular, is now exposed to a flood of digital technology and related services.

MNCs in the News-2018-10-19

Google defends its development of a censored search engine for China saying most queries will succeed. Exxon’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in liquid natural gas (LNG) facilities in Papua New Guinea and Mozambique will allow it to sidestep the barriers emanating from Chinese taxes on United States LNG. Consultancy asserts that regardless of the bad news about plummeting Chinese outward FDI the good news is that Chinese OFDI is being more sophisticated and culturally skilled. Tokyo will work to support FDI in heirless businesses to ensure they do not close. Japanese logistics firms look to partner with Chinese ones to avoid political risks, expedite shipments, and profit from subsidies. South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will carry out a feasibility study about developing Russia’s Slavyanka port. South Korea is enhancing its efforts to support Korean firms in winning project orders from the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

MNCs in the News-2018-02-23

China to use mechanism of internationalization including inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in mixed ownership reform to enhance ability of state-owned enterprises. For 2018, Guizhou aims for $150 billion in investment money from outside the province including small and medium-sized enterprises from foreign countries. Chinese outward FDI in January 2018 jumps over same period a year earlier. Chinese government constraints on outward FDI become even tighter. Japanese airbag manufacturer Takata receives US court approval for its bankruptcy exit plan. Japanese steelmaker JFE Holdings concerned Trump's protectionist rhetoric could impede own investment plans to build US based plant. Korea Expressway Corporation signs MoU for Indian highway construction following agreement between Korean and Indian government to support USD $10 billion in Indian infrastructure. GM proposes investing USD $2.8 billion in its Korean operations, but calls for government assistance to maintain its remaining plants. Russian diversified energy holding company Inter Rao seeking to develop Indonesia's Bandar Kayangan Global Hub. Finance Minister says Indonesia to revise tax incentives to attract more investment. Thailand's government approaches Japanese robotics maker and other engineering manufacturers to build facilities along its EEC. Manila Water Company acquires 18.72 percent stake in Thailand's Eastern Water to enter Thailand's EEC. Thailand's Superblock Pcl plans to invest USD $1.76 billion to build wind farms in Vietnam in sync with Hanoi's renewables policy.

Mr. Naoyuki Haraoka's picture

SMEs Can Benefit from Globalization through Indirect Exports

Many anti-globalization activists doubt small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can profit from economic globalization given their competitive disadvantages versus multinational enterprises (MNEs). The good news for SMEs is that MNEs building global supply chains for products such as home electronics or electric appliances will need parts and components from SMEs to achieve competitiveness since many key components are made by SMEs.

Dr. Hwy-Chang Moon's picture

Why Is Vietnam Korea’s Favorite FDI Destination in ASEAN?

The Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) has become a major destination for Korean foreign direct investment (FDI). In 2016, this region alone attracted about one half of Korea’s outward FDI (OFDI). Moreover, one half of Korea’s FDI flows within this regional bloc were concentrated in Vietnam. Korea is the biggest investor in Vietnam, far ahead of the second largest, Japan.