Hot Topics for MNCs, Cool Analysis*

December 8th, 2014
China’s State Administration of Taxation moves to prevent tax evasion by foreign firms in China. China’s National Development and Reform Commission expected to fine Qualcomm US $1 billion as well as impose other policy changes on it. Intel will spend US $1.6 billion to upgrade its Chengdu (China) chip factory. Foreign pharmaceutical companies in China are revamp their sales models and sale performance evaluation system in response to GSK bribery scandal. Transparency International Corruption Perception survey gives very low marks to China. Chinese consortium will rebid on Mexican high-speed rail project. American retailers raise alarm about Alibaba’s possible exploitation of tax loopholes. Takata air bag scandal continues to expand. FBI highlights North Korea as behind major hack of Sony Pictures. Korean government accuses a number of foreign automakers of charging excessive high prices. Indonesian government works with foreign companies to upgrade its refineries and ensure adequate energy supplies.
November 30th, 2014
China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) positive about “negative list” approach. Volkswagen touts its commitment to become the “most sustainable car manufacturer in China.” Mercedes-Benz fuels up its contribution to child and road safety initiatives. China reportedly hits Microsoft with major back tax bill. Henan allocates billions of dollars in incentives to attract Foxxconn and other multinational corporations (MNCs). China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) expected to prompt increased Chinese investment in South Korea. Politics and competitive dynamics pressure Japanese carmakers in China. Indian Prime Minister Modi ensures supportive environment for Nissay’s investment in Reliance. Honda under fire in US for failing to report accidents and deaths for past 10 years or so. Japan looks to expand financing for defense exports and cooperation. Australia struggles to maintain a high level of foreign investment in major mining projects. Indonesia announces ambitious plans for technology and industrial parks.
November 23rd, 2014
Foreign luxury carmakers take steps to deal with a less luxurious Chinese market. Premier Li Keqiang suggests Qualcomm antitrust case may witness a win-win outcome. China hints at plans for its own cyberspace realm. China uses big hammer to deal with small nails. China Railway Construction Corporation wins massive Nigeria railway construction contract. Indian government choses Japanese trading house, Sojitz, to install power-equipment for the Delhi-Mumbai cargo railway system. Money laundering case results in Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ US $315 million fine and employee sanctions. Hitachi offers to buy railway and rail signaling sectors of Italian Industrial conglomerate Finmeccanica. Mitsubishi Corp. and Jalux partner with Myanmar’s Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd to operate Myanmar’s second-largest airport. IKEA berated in Korea before beginning operations there. Indonesian President Jokowi assures the country about FDI’s impact. Queensland Premier Campbell Newman invites Singaporean companies to participate in infrastructure projects in Queensland
November 16th, 2014
China revises Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Catalog to open sectors and eliminate investment restrictions. Caterpillar lured by Silk Road Initiative. Lull in pressure on foreign firms in China offset by new challenges at the township level. Data on the impact of China’s “tightening” regulatory environment on FDI trends is mixed. Mexico’s cancellation of a Chinese-consortium’s winning high-speed rail bid prompts Chinese government expressions of surprise, regret, and caution. Chinese real estate investment in Japan continues to rise. Political issues in Africa affect Chinese shipper CJ Smart Cargo Group’s investment and operating decisions. Japan hosts Japan-Africa forum to encourage Japanese firms to invest in Africa. Mitsui Sumitomo Bank and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology pursue agricultural cooperation with the UAE. Honda’s expanding Takata air bag related recall draws regulator and politician attention. US businesses seek to work with Indonesian government to help it realize a number of investment goals. APEC CEOs hear Chinese President Xi Jinping stress the need for the Asia-Pacific to enhance its physical and institutional infrastructure.
November 9th, 2014
FAW-Volkswagen stalls on massive recall issues while accelerating auto parts presence in China. Foreign companies face a taxing environment. China’s National Development and Reform Commission proposes changes to open up China wider to foreign investors. Qualcomm under siege in China and profits suffer. Chinese Minister-Counselor in the UK voices concern about British visa restrictions on Chinese workers while touting Chinese firm contributions to the UK. Huawei tunes into Namibian ICT workers for training at its Shenzhen HQ. Transparency International bites at Chinese company disclosures. Foreign countries look to Japan for defense technology cooperation. Japanese utilities partner with Singaporean and Indian firms to reduce the cost of LNG imports. Brazil, Mitsui, and the Japanese government cooperate on Brazilian subway project. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pushes Honda for information regarding the Japanese auto parts maker Takata’s defective air bags recall. Australia and Fiji look to reinvigorate trade and investment links. Hyundai-Kia pays US massive fine for overstating car fuel efficiency. Iran reaches out to Indonesia to express interest in investments in Indonesia’s oil and gas sectors.
November 2nd, 2014
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.
October 24th, 2014
Facebook and Zuckerberg “friend” China. China so peachy for Apple and Tim Cook. China’s Ministry of Commerce makes it simpler for “simple deals.” Chinese Premier Li Keqiang solves China-EU telecommunications dispute. Foreign firm investment, hiring, and benefits no longer in the gold-rush stage. Chinese outward FDI continues to grow impressively and may outstrip inward FDI for the first time. Chinese rail consortium looks to gain traction in Mexico. Chinese rail giants trucking along in winning Boston subway deal and pursuing California high-speed rail opportunities. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni sees China as the country’s savior for infrastructure investment. Japan and Japanese firms work together on infrastructure export institution. Japan floating Maglev train idea for Washington-Baltimore corridor. Japan cozying up to Myanmar to win infrastructure business. Australia seeks to restructure its investment for residency program in a more productive direction. FDI inflows into Indonesia show promising growth. Indonesian president-elect Jokowi signals Taiwanese investors they are welcome. Indonesia does not allow foreign owners to plant many seeds in the planation sector. Prominent Hong Kong investors dismiss worries about investment environment. Activists lobby Taiwanese government to prevent China-based conglomerates from buying China Network systems.
October 17th, 2014
Inward FDI flows in China still under pressure. Intel chips a wider opening into China with a partnership with Tsinghua. Volkswagen and China FAW Group make it another 25 years. EU and China hang up their long running telecommunications dispute. China and Italy strike billions in deals that Italian Prime Minister calls “antipasto.” Sino-Russian investment relations continue to grow on the basis of a marriage of convenience. US executives want US President Barack Obama to prioritize a US-China Bilateral Investment Treaty. EU and Japan motor along in deal relating to application of WTO Government Procurement Agreement to three Japanese railway companies. Japan’s Marubeni Corp. to cooperate with Thailand’s national energy company to build a cutting-edge thermal power plant in Myanmar. Japan receives Southeast Asian social welfare and health care officials to tout Japanese nursing care products and businesses. German government representatives encourage Korean investment in Germany’s information and communication technology sector. Fears of government monitoring direct Koreans to foreign messaging aps. Indonesian Industry Ministry signs memorandum of understanding, mining PT Freeport Indonesia for more localization. EU concludes free trade deal with Singapore that includes investor protection clauses.
October 10th, 2014
Intel to chip in billions in two Chinese mobile chipmakers. FT analysis of Chinese anti-trust actions fails does not conclusively reveal any anti-foreign bias. Microsoft and China work to coordinate a trustworthy antitrust investigation. Let the Microsoft Xbox games begin as Xbox One launches in China. iPhone 6 and 6 Plus get connected in China. Chinese clothing contract manufacturers and end buyers tighten their belts. Long running China-European Union telecommunications dispute set to get hung up. Sino-German investment cooperation grows with billions of dollars in deals. Japanese banks set up fund in partnership with Middle East investors that will support agricultural investment and Japanese agricultural exports to the Middle East. Three Japanese mega financial institutions bank on new opportunities in Myanmar after receiving licenses. Japanese banks expand in South America to support Japanese firms investing and building infrastructure in the region. Japan moves to export its police station system to South American in order to improve the security environment for Japanese firms. Chinese investment flows into Korea raise dependency concerns. Indonesia touts attractiveness of Indonesia investment environment under President-elect Jokowi. Taiwan moves to boost overseas investment by domestic insurance companies. Taiwan Business Alliance conference in Taipei yields record amount of investment pledges by foreign firms.
September 28th, 2014
GSK swallows a bitter pill in terms of a massive fine, public apology, and promises as it tries to recover from its bribery scandal. Massive business problems following its food safety scandal lead Shanghai Husi to lay off hundreds of workers. Microsoft CEO offers soothing words during his visit to China. Opportunities in China for express delivery companies like UPS and FedEx seem to be speeding up. China’s open route to new pilot economic zones in Guangdong while limiting the use of “negative lists.” Ford goes into overdrive to promote CSR in China. Private Chinese firms close the outward investment gap with Chinese state-owned enterprises. China-Argentine cooperation glows with nuclear investment cooperation deal. China sending troops to participate in U.N. peacekeeping activities in South Sudan. Japan-China Economic Association delegation travels to Beijing, but it attempt to meet with China’s top two leaders fails. Japan to build own fighter despite US reticence. Nothing fishy about Japanese firm Mitsubishi’s plan to get into salmon business. Morocco draws in Japanese financial institutions and firms to support its domestic power generation plans. Korea draws in less Chinese investment as a result of the negative impact of China’s anti-corruption campaign. Korean companies look to Myanmar for cheaper costs, resources, and investor-friendly government policies. Political uncertainties in Taiwan dent mainland China investment flows to the island. Singaporean infrastructure plans catch the attention of investors.

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