Europe

MNCs in the News-2016-03-04

According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, China plans to “lower entry barriers for foreign investors.” MOFCOM representatives also indicate that “China will support foreign participation in its drive to reform state owned enterprises (SOEs).” Foreign Ambassadors present letter to China’s Ministry of Public Security to express their anxieties about China’s new counterterrorism law, draft security law, and draft law on the management of foreign non-government organizations. Qualcomm reaches settlement with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding allegations of improperly hiring the relatives of Chinese officials and giving lavish gifts. According to news reports, in contrast to its battles with the US FBI, Apple is showing great flexibility towards the Chinese government. Three members of the US Congress ask for increased scrutiny of Zoomlion’s purchase of US Terex Corp. Problems caused by increased scrutiny of Chinese outward investments led to deals with unusual termination fees and deal terms. Massive Chinese state-owned enterprise investments in Europe fuel concerns. Olympus Corp. will pay the US Justice Department a $623 million fine due to kickback payments and its giving of luxurious gifts. Korean government-business delegation journeys to Iran and concludes numerous deals. A South Korean wins Bolivian deal to build a new city in Bolivia. Indonesia plans to set up a “China Desk” to better Chinese investors. Vietnam shows substantial increases of FDI during the first two months of 2016. Vietnam needs to provide more information to solve problems of foreign investors.

MNCs in the News-2016-01-08

China’s inward foreign direct investment in 2015 hits record levels. China plays hard with Mister Softee. Uber Technologies hails local partners to build up its presence in China and win favor with local governments. Japanese firm becomes first foreign firm to obtain permission to sell automobile insurance in Myanmar. Korean construction firms witness dramatic drop in overseas construction contracts. Indonesia does not necessarily subscribe to Netflix’s planned entry into the country. New Thailand-Singapore double taxation treaty has important implications for Thai investment in Singapore. Singaporean health care players stand ready to exploit a more favorable environment in China’s health care sector. FDI flows into Vietnam hit record in 2015. Vietnam’s State Bank of Vietnam publishes rules about foreign financial institutions planning to establish non-banking financial companies

Dr. Manochehr Dorraj's picture

The Return of the Middle East to its Asian Home? The Expanding Middle East-Asia Nexus and its Ramifications, part I

“The Asianization” of the Middle East, fostered by expanding trade, energy, immigration, military and political ties between Asia—most notably, China, Japan, South Korea, India and the region—foretells a political realignment in which the Asian powers are filling the vacuum created by diminishing US and European influence. The most significant indicator of this trend is China’s expanding energy-related trade and investment links with the region, complemented by substantial increases in bilateral trade, military and political ties.

MNCs in the News-2015-06-26

China and US will exchange revised Negative Lists pursuant to their Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) negotiations. China undertakes various initiatives to bolster the e-commerce sector in China including opening the sector to foreign investors. Chinese steel companies contemplate investment in Southeast Asia, pushed by government and pulled by host country attractions. Taiwan’s Hon Hai will build vertically integrated supply chain in India to tap into Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” scheme. Japanese development agency, Japanese companies, and Myanmar work together on training initiative to lay a foundation for future railway investment opportunities. Indonesia works to court Chinese and Japanese investors in labor-intensive and export-oriented areas. Outward investment from Singapore plummets 78.1 percent year-over-year in first half of 2015

MNCs in the News-2015-05-15

Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) into China continues to impress. China softens move to eliminate preferences given to foreign investors. Tim Cook launches new environmental initiative during visit to China. Cisco CEO John Chambers highlights how politics is affecting his firm’s business and the operations of other IT companies. LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner describes the censorship of the firm’s Chinese-language website as essential but “very painful.” China’s freeing of prices in the electricity sector have potential to open new investment and sales opportunities for foreign firms. China’s investment in Africa increases, drawing praise from Kenyan local leaders. Political and economic factors spur increased Chinese investment in Israel. China’s investment lenses focus on Latin America’s “liberal” economies. Korea’s POSCO Energy negotiating joint investment fund with Korea’s National Pension Service that would support overseas power plant investments. Korea’s Daewoo International working with various Saudi government partners on building a car manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board promises to smooth South Korean investment in Indonesia.

MNCs in the News-2015-03-27

China remains an attractive FDI destination, but observers say policy predictability and transparency are critical to attracting greater amounts. China may give foreign companies greater options in the securities sector. China faces questioning in the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its banking sector information technology (IT) restrictions. China works to bud into a global seed/agro-business giant. UK Banbury cybersecurity center gives Huawei clean bill of (security) health. Japanese corporate passivity in chasing Australian submarine tender opportunity is offset by Japanese official enthusiasm. Indonesia compliments Japanese auto firms on their investment expansion plans. Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) moves to control Bayer’s oral conceptive business in Korea. Korean civil group accuses McDonald’s of labor violations. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) adds to Hyundai-Kia’s incentives to enlarge production in Mexico. Surging auto imports into Taiwan due to trade agreement led Volkswagen to shy away from investing in the island.

MNCs in the News-2015-02-27

Foreign firms and industry associations struggle to determine how to deal with Chinese regulators. Foreign information technology firms lose place on China’s official list of approved products. Despite political challenges, Google salivates over China opportunities created by massive Android user base. China’s anti-corruption campaign and other factors disrupt payback from Sino-Myanmar pipeline investments. Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo plans to release measures in March to boost inward foreign investment into Japan. Japan’s weak yen policy encourages Japanese firms to invest abroad. Japan’s railway consortium likely to win bid to build Doha subway system. Japan concludes major loan agreement with Kenya to fund expansion of Mombasa port. Korean lobbies foreign companies to invest more in Korea. Indonesian policies to promote its domestic auto sector push out GM. Vietnam’s opening of retail sector to foreign firms intensifies challenges for domestic retailers.

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