Indonesia

KFC seeks to roast those making false charges against it. China’s proposed law for controlling nonprofits has potentially severe negative ramifications for foreign business associations. European Chamber of Commerce in China challenges the draft National Security Law and its potential negative implications for China. China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is drafting guidelines pertaining to the abuse of intellectual property rights (IPR). China’s State Administration of Taxation acts to create supportive tax treaty environment for Chinese firms overseas. China National Cereals, Oils, and Foodstuffs Corp. (COFCO) states it will commit resources and manpower to support China’s Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI). Korea Fair Trade Commission looks into questionable sales practices by Volkswagen Korea. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) disrupts Korean government initiative to build closer investment, trade, and business links with the Middle East. Indonesia’s Investment Promotion Board gives greater attention to Japanese foreign direct investment. Vietnam moves to give United Overseas Bank a license to open a wholly foreign owned foreign bank.

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.

China’s Finance Minister Lou Jiwei raises concern about US Bilateral Investment Treaty proposals. Wall Street Journal analysis reveals that many Variable Interest Entities may be at risk depending upon how Chinese treats such structures. IBM cooperation with Chinese firm and China raises concerns about the business and political implications. Huawei CEO Eric Xu raises concerns about the potential fallout of China’s new stance toward foreign information technology. The American Chamber of Commerce’s White Paper calls for numerous improvements in the general and sectoral policy environment facing foreign businesses in China. China’s Finance Minister expresses concerns about US Bilateral Investment Treaty demands. China moves to make its negative list more positive in four key free trade zones (FTZs). Jiangsu Province’s Provincial Price Bureau makes Daimler Mercedes-Benz pay a price for price fixing. Visa and MasterCard appear ready to cash in on China’s bank-card clearing market after State Council opens the market in response to a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling. Korea moves to enrich up its Food cluster Foodpolis. Korean president Park Geun-hye visit to Latin America results in boost to Korean investment and trade. Indonesia will court Chinese investors with special “information desk” in Beijing.

China enhances predictability and transparency of tax law process. Court case puts pressure on China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Monsanto to release data on Roundup. China moves to ease RMB conversion by foreign-invested enterprises. State Council promises to facilitate outward investment by Chinese firms. China’s Tong Ren Tang and other TCM companies leverages Chinese government support to expand its international presence. Warm Japanese-Indonesian relations spur Japanese businesses to court good relations with Indonesia. Korea Rural Community Corp. pushes to win major Indian land reclamation project.

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.