Association of Southeast Asian Nations

MNCs in the News-2018-10-05

Regulations promulgated pursuant to China’s 2017 cybersecurity law will give Chinese police expansive authority to examine corporate information systems. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and other bodies reported that Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows experienced a drop in 2017 for the first time since 2002. Apple and Amazon vehemently reject Bloomberg story that their servers were penetrated by hardware corrupted by Chinese intelligence operatives. Plans for Japan’s SoftBank to build the world’s largest solar farm in Saudi Arabia may be burning up, though the firm insists the project is moving forward. Japan’s Mitsubishi partners with various state-owned enterprises (SOEs) on USD $31 billion LNG project in western Canada. South Korea’s Hyundai Development Company (HDC), in a joint venture (JV) with India’s Hindustan Construction Company Ltd (HCC), wins $300 million road project in India. Spurred by South Korea government policies and Indonesia incentives as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Agreement, Hyundai Motor Group plans major car manufacturing plant in Indonesia.

MNCs in the News-2018-04-13

Observers believe China’s financial sector liberalization will draw in foreign investors and help internationalize the renminbi. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) expects outward foreign direct investment (FDI) to show good growth for the first quarter of 2018. China “insures” insurance sector will have new openings for foreign investors. Chinese outward FDI in the United States (US) showed massive drop from 2016 to 2017 for various political and economic reasons. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in 2017 jumps with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) a favored place for Chinese M&A. Troubled Takata says its acquisition by Key Safety Systems has been completed and the deal has received antitrust and bankruptcy court approvals in several countries. Ghana’s Finance Minister says African countries looking to Japan, among other Asian countries, to tap into abundant investment resources to fund Africa’s development needs. The Chinese government’s latest list of subsidy eligible electric vehicles continues to exclude South Korean battery firms. GM Korea has deadline of April 20th to submit restructuring plans for South Korean operations to government bodies. Malaysia’s Digital Free Trade Zone forecasted to attract over USD $200 million through investments on infrastructure, systems, and equipment over next three years. IHH Healthcare Bhd suggests it would spend up to USD $1.3 billion to acquire India’s Fortis Healthcare Ltd even though India’s fraud commission is investigating the company.

MNCs in the News-2018-01-12

China moving to make Free Trade Zones (FTZs) freer. China punishes Marriott over survey that lists Hong Kong, Macao, and Tibet as independent countries. Apple’s iCloud darkens as it transfers the service to a Chinese company that will operate it and keep all data in China. French Finance Minister welcomes Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in France provided it is not “looting.” President Donald Trump’s pressure seems to have driven Toyota and Mazda to select Alabama for USD $1.6 billion production facility. NEC acquires Northgate Public Services for USD $640 million following the British government’s promotion of digitalization. South Korea’s state-operated Korean Development Bank sets price floor on sale of struggling construction firm Daewoo Engineering & Construction. Hyundai invests in Singapore’s Grab in effort to expand in Southeast Asia and reduce reliance on the tumultuous China market. Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance to reevaluate investment attraction programs after no companies applied in 2017. Jakarta and Freeport-McMoRan seek to resolve by June a host of operational issues that plague the future of Grasberg mine. Nissan shortlists Thailand as possible location for Asia-Pacific EV manufacturing facility due to Thai investment incentives. Thai Minister says Chinese investment into country’s rubber plantations must be carefully considered and not impact local farmers. Johor Sultan invests USD $100 million in Sri Lanka’s first pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. New policy decree by Hanoi allows foreign enterprises to provide logistics services in Vietnam. Several of Vietnam’s efforts to divest state-owned enterprises at the end of 2017 did not catch much investor attention.

MNCs in the News-2017-12-15

China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) announces plan to ease requirements for foreign banks wanting to conduct yuan trading. Government restrictions put brakes on the progress of foreign autonomous vehicle development in China. Wisconsin to power it up to meet future Foxconn plant’s electricity needs. Economist Intelligence Unit finds that the United Kingdom’s attractiveness to Chinese investors dropped severely from 2015 to this year. Japan and the EU conclude talks on a free trade deal, however investment dispute settlement issues remain unresolved. Toshiba and Western Digital end legal battle over flash memory unit sale, though antitrust screening in big global markets could obstruct the unit’s sale. Samsung and LG expanding employment and investment in Vietnam in the wake of Hanoi’s efforts to attract foreign companies. Hyundai Motor Co. sets up JV in Indonesia in wake of South Korean President Moon’s New South Policy. Indonesia’s Gunung Steel Group and China’s Shenwu Technology Corp to build USD $3 billion steel plant in line with Jakarta’s goal to increase country’s steel production capacity. Singapore’s APRIL Group lodges case against Indonesian government through its Indonesian unit RAPP. Thai Beverage only foreign firm to bid for large share in Vietnam’s state-owned brewing company Sabeco. Jacobs Douwe Egberts to buyout Malaysia’s OldTown with deal conditional upon approval from Malaysian antitrust authorities. BRG Group and Sumitomo Corporation to finalize plans for USD $4 billion smart city in Hanoi as local government pledges to create favorable conditions for its execution.

MNCs in the News-2017-12-08

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang promises significantly better environment for foreign investors. Lego pieces together blocks of winning copyright case in China. Sinopec USA fires up lawsuit against Venezuelan state oil giant PDVSA. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman describes Sinopec USA lawsuit against PDVSA as a normal commercial dispute and cautions against blowing things out of proportion. Nissan files charges in international arbitration court against Indian government for reneging on promised tax breaks. Melco vowed to build headquarters in Japan if it were to be approved casino license following country’s recent legalization of casinos. Improving Sino-Korean political relations giving hope to LG Display that its planned Chinese production facility will finally be approved by Seoul. SK Engineering & Construction to build and run hydropower plant in Pakistan, the first such project for a South Korean company in the country, before returning control to Islamabad. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group expected to invest at least USD $1.8 billion in PT Bank Danamon Indonesia and will work closely to meet Jakarta’s regulatory requirements. Jakarta to buy Rio Tinto’s 40 percent stake in Freeport-McMoRan operated Grasberg mine as part of its efforts to gain control of country’s natural resources. Bangkok considering new non-tariff barriers to EVs in anticipation of increased imports of Chinese EVs resulting from ASEAN-China FTA. Thailand’s CT Bright has joined with China’s HNA Group to set up an investment fund for Thailand’s EEC. Kuala Lumpur making new efforts to promote investment in automation and smart manufacturing. Malaysia’s Prime Minister calls on foreign businesses to renew investment in the country. Hanoi grants investment certificate to Sumitomo Corporation for USD $2.58 billion thermal power plant in Vietnam’s Van Phong Economic Zone.

MNCs in the News-2017-10-13

American businesses not uniformly in favor of Washington moving aggressively against China about the latter’s intellectual property right (IPR) violations. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) approves HP-Samsung printer deal subject to conditions. China’s high-speed rail project in Thailand off track due to environmental approval issues. Sinopec to sell Argentine oil assets and incur major losses in the process. Denso Corp. announces plans for USD $1 billion EV plant in Tennessee, designed to meet changing government automobile and environmental demands. Toyota reaffirms intent to build new Auris in UK, provided the British government avoids hard Brexit deal. Chinese investment in South Korea drops due Chinese government restrictions, hitting the South Korean economy. Korean retailers to shift from China to Southeast Asia as business and political tensions between Korea and China show no signs of improvement. Indonesia needs foreign investment to develop 30 ports and airports and Jakarta is supporting great foreign investment through deregulation and other measures. Indonesian and Belgian firms sign three infrastructure development memoranda of understanding to profit from Indonesia’s attractiveness. Sumitomo forms Thai real estate market joint venture (JV) to profit from the Thai government development of the country’s infrastructure. Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly approves new Eastern Economic Corridor stimulus bill in a move to attract foreign investment. Malaysian government attracts Chinese firm to build USD $3 billion steel production plant in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Vietnam attracted over USD $25 billion in foreign direct investment in the first three quarters of this year owing to its political stability. Asian investors turning to Vietnam for expansion opportunities as domestic markets shrink and Hanoi opens key industries to investors.

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.

MNCs in the News-2017-07-21

In rare praise for foreign firms, Chinese President Xi Jinping lauds their contribution to China and says the Chinese government must do more to attract and retain them. The China Banking Regulatory Commission imposes strict limits on Chinese banks providing support for overseas deals by Dalian Wanda. Some feel the United States (US) Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States is becoming stricter which, in turn, may hinder Chinese investment flows in the US. Toyota continues USD $310 million UK plant expansion after receiving Brexit reassurances from British government. Japanese financial institutions move to set up subsidiary businesses in the EU as Brexit jeopardizes their financial services licenses. Hyundai to open fifth Chinese assembly plant as compact vehicle sales are expected to rise before Chinese government’s increase in purchase taxes next year. South Korea’s Nexen Tire Corp. signs memorandum of understanding with United Arab Emirates’ state-owned Mubadala Development Co. Indonesian branch of ExxonMobil drops talks on East Natuna natural gas block, with Jakarta saying it intends to invite firm to discuss project again. Economist says Malaysia to become key economic corridor because of strong economic fundamentals, strategic geographical location and Prime Minister’s diplomatic efforts. China’s restrictions on bank loans to Dalian Wanda Group diminish prospects of Bandar Malaysia project. Vietnam’s Prime Minister signs decision to boost his country’s solar power development which is spurring much foreign investor interest. At HCM City conference, Laotian provinces court investment from Vietnam.

Dr. Amitendu Palit's picture

Will RCEP Promote Investments in the Asia-Pacific?

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is being looked upon as the most promising framework for regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific Region (APR) after the United States (US) decided to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Negotiated by sixteen countries—the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand, RCEP is not as ambitious as the TPP.

Japan Economic Foundation Executive Managing Director Naoyuki Haraoka delivers keynote address at the “New Developments for Japanese and Chinese Firms” Conference.

At opening of the “New Developments for Japanese and Chinese Firms” conference, Mr. Naoyuki Haraoka, Executive Managing Director of the Japan Economic Foundation (JEF), delivered a keynote address entitled “Japanese FDI in Asia and Asian FDI in Japan.” Mr. Haraoka began his speech by providing background on JEF’s origins and its evolving areas of research.

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