CGN

Analysts speculate on the economic and political factors that drove the new British government to delay a decision on the Hinkley Point C project. Some conjecture British Prime Minister Theresa May has delayed the project due to national security considerations. Chinese government urges British government to move forward with Hinkley Point decision and hints at possible adverse consequences for relationship. France awards CGN one of its first industrial-scale offshore floating wind power projects. South Korea’s environmental ministry bans the sales and cancels certifications of 80 Volkswagen models over VWs fraudulent emissions and noise tests. South Korea’s National Tax Service Seoul Regional Office launches a tax probe into the Korean affiliate of Huawei Technologies Co. for possible tax evasion. Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) is confident of reaching its realized inward FDI (FDI) investment goals for 2016 because of its fast-track permitting process. BKPM chief downplays possibility that the South China Sea dispute will affect FDI flows, including from China, into Indonesia. Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister emphasizes the country plans to ensure all investors in the energy sector obey the country’s laws and rules. Thai oil and gas conglomerate PTT PLC says it is still in the process of developing a massive refinery and petrochemical plant in Vietnam. Registered inward FDI (IFDI) into Vietnam over the first seven months of 2016 soars over the same period year-over-year (YOY).

China’s Central Economic Work Conference promises to “‘give equal treatment to domestic and foreign companies.’” China’s National People’s Congress approves counter terrorism law that worries foreign businesses and governments. China’s State Council issues guideline designed to enhance IPR protection. China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issues a draft of its first “Anti-Monopoly Guidelines on Abuse of Intellectual Property Rights” for public comment. China’s NDRC fines eight international sea freight shipping companies for price fixing. China’s People’s Bank of China suspends three foreign banks from certain kinds of foreign currency activities. Analysts expect Chinese outward investments to reach new heights in 2016. China’s nuclear power firms hope Hinkley Point project will be a stepping stone to new deals abroad. China and Pakistan finalize financing agreement for massive Thar Coalfield development project. Iraqi Prime Minister courts Chinese investment and railway cooperation during his first visit to China. Japan competes vigorously against China in battle to sell high-speed rail overseas. Inward FDI into Korea hits new high in 2015. At the end of December, Korea announced it would impose a Google tax on foreign companies. Hyundai Development Company wins $85.4 million bridge and road construction contract in Vietnam. Samsung Engineering lands another major engineering contract from Mexico’s PEMEX. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Community is expected to boost franchise businesses in Indonesia. Indonesia is hopeful that a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union (EU) will boost EU IFDI. Indonesian will increase incentives to boost investment in oil refineries. Thailand expects IFDI to meet its targets in 2016. China and Thailand hold ceremony to launch joint rail project, though disagreements exist which may delay the project’s start date. Malaysia touts the benefits of its Principal Hub scheme. Chinese group negotiating with Malaysian firms in order to position itself for a bid on Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail. Experts feel recent free trade agreements will boost investment in Vietnam. Vietnam expects US FDI flows into Vietnam to increase significantly, though obstacles remain.