Turkey

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, Founding Executive Director of the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations (Wong MNC Center), was invited to participate in an ambitious Middle East Institute (MEI) Frontier Europe Initiative report on China in the Black Sea region, which focused on China's expanded role in the region in the context of its mega Belt and Road Initiative.

China’s financial sector opening seems to be bearing fruit in terms of catalyzing applications by foreign firms to enter the China market. China’s liberalization of its aircraft sector giving flight to new opportunities for foreign companies in the aviation industry. In partnership with Irish development authorities, Chinese pharmaceutical firm makes major greenfield investment in Ireland. Chinese accountancy expands in the United Kingdom (UK) to service growing China-UK investment and trade. Hitachi considering Taiwan plant as Asian hub after winning bid for Taiwan Power offshore wind turbines project. Japanese traders competing to expand poultry businesses by importing from abroad after Japanese ministry sanctioned the import of Turkish chicken. Korean battery manufacturers such ramping up investment in China in preparation for the end of Beijing’s electric vehicle subsidy. Following historic summit between the two Koreas began plans for joint development projects and South Korean investment into the North. Arkema and CJ CheilJedang to invest over USD $300 million in Malaysian Kerteh Biopolymer Park as Malaysian, French and Korean authorities jointly promote facility.

Donald Trump administration contemplates using Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act to challenge China’s technology transfer and intellectual property right protection practices. Foreign businesses increasingly fret about the burdens to be flowing from China’s rejection of non-approved virtual private networks (VPNs) and other data controls/restrictions. China’s Ministry of Finance issues a guideline to limit risk of overseas investments by state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Foxconn Technology Group announces major planned investment in the United States (US) to do R&D work relating to self-driving vehicles perhaps due to Trump’s efforts to bring more manufacturing to the US. Workers at Nissan’s Mississippi factory vote on whether to join the United Auto Workers. Japan’s JFE Holdings Inc. considers further investment into India’s JSW Steel Ltd as a way to profit from increased steel demand potentially flowing from Indian Prime Minister Modi’s economic plans. South Korean firms struggle in the Middle East due to government indifference and rising political tensions. South Korea’s LA Cable & System signs USD $195 million contract with Qatar’s state owned utilities firm. Jakarta focuses on simplifying investment application process for foreign firms seeking investment licenses. Indonesia’s government will start taking bids in September for construction of six massive geothermal power plants. Thailand and Australia discuss revising the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement to increase investment and trade. Indian Oil Corp Ltd in talks with partners to search for cheaper location for Pacific Northwest LNG terminal after recent withdrawal of Petronas. South Korea’s Lotte signs Eco-Smart city development contract with Vietnam’s People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam’s Prime Minister confirms that creation of Vietnam’s first three special economic zones would enjoy special rules to attract greater investment.

Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman voices confidence China will remain attractive to foreign investors and promises new efforts. China’s State Power Investment Corp. buys Taralga Wind Farm project for nearly $230 million. Former Turkish energy minister expects China to bid aggressively during the bidding process for Turkey’s third nuclear power plant. China’s Three Gorges International Corp. will bid on Brazil’s Tapajos hydroelectric dam project. Japan’s Toshiba reveals that US Justice Department and US Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating the accounting practices of its US units. Political infighting in Indonesia results in postponement of major oil bloc development by Japan’s Inpex. Japanese firm partners with government controlled Indian private venture on major wind power project across seven Indian states. Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ will become the first Japanese lender to provide Islamic compliant financing through an overseas branch. Influx of Japanese businesses into Myanmar’s Thilawa special economic zone drives drives Myanmar’s CB Bank to open a branch there. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ecuador linked to its plans to build EV charging infrastructure operation systems in the country. The Korea Rural Community Corporation is expected to secure a government of Gujarat (India) contract for the construction of the Kalpasar sea wall project. Indonesia aims to bring more European investment into the country. The President of the European Association for Business and Commerce called upon the Thai government to embrace a number of changes in order to draw more investment.

Hewlett-Packard networks to sell all or part of its H3C unit. China’s State Council opens, in principle, the domestic market to foreign clearing operations. Chinese industry association promulgates corporate social responsibility guidelines for Chinese outward mining investment. Xiaomi looks to start Indian data center to deal with worries about the security of user data. Lenovo-Google deal for Motorola Mobility concludes unexpectedly quickly. Japan and Turkey move to bulk up business and cultural cooperation. Japan rush to get gas from Louisiana shale oil plant in which Japanese firms invested. Japan expects new Indonesian trade minister’s multifaceted ties with Japan to boost economic links. South Korean court orders Japanese firm to pay compensation to World War II era slave laborers. Singapore moving to exploit multinational corporations growing interests in Southeast Asia. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports the situation of small- and medium-enterprises in China is troubled.