Intel

MNCs in the News-2018-03-23

US companies dilute proposed legislation that might have dampened their exports to/sales in China of technology. 2018 China Enterprise Cross-Border M&A Special Report shows decline in both the number and volume of Chinese merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in 2017. China’s crackdown on CEFC Energy throws into uncertainty a proposed mega investment in Russia’s Rosneft. Japanese may loosen regulations on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Japanese broadcasters. Toshiba chip sale deal awaits regulatory approval from China. South Korea company wins multi-billion bridge building contract in Turkey. South Korea and Russian companies lay foundation for cooperation in building transportation and other infrastructure for Korean peninsula and elsewhere. Indonesia’s Environment and Forestry Ministry to sue American mining company Freeport McMoRan for massive environmental damages. Indonesian official embark on road show to bring more private FDI into the country’s underfunded infrastructure projects. Thai government alarms by announcing intention to change the country’s Foreign Business Act. Malaysia finalizes deal bringing USD $7 billion of Saudi FDI into the Pengerang Integrated Complex. UAE company will pour more than USD $1 billion to develop offshore Malaysian gas site. Vietnam’s State Audit Office slaps back taxes bill on just privatized former state-owned enterprises (SOE) Sabeco. Vietnam aims to divest major portion of PetroVietnam Gas to garner strategic investment and massive amounts of funds.

MNCs in the News-2016-12-09

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) have reduced the number of sectors on its foreign investment catalog restricted and prohibited lists by more than 30 percent. China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has denied there are restrictions on foreign firms' crossborder profit transfers. The NDRC has imposed a more than $17 million fine on Medtronic for violating China’s anti-monopoly laws. China’s national cybersecurity standards body, The Technical Committee 260, ignores foreign company pleas about its technical standards for operating systems, microprocessors, and office software. China’s concerns about capital flight and money laundering led it to strengthen its review of overseas deals exceeding USD $10 billion and in an overseas entity unrelated to the investor’s core business. China launches $22 billion fund to support overseas investments by Chinese companies. Chinese investment in Europe soars over 2015 totals. Softbank owner Masayoshi Son promises Donald Trump he will make a massive investment in the US. South Korea’s largest steel pipe producer buys two oil country tubular goods (OCTG) related facilitates in the US to escape possible US trade barriers. Indonesia’s Ambassador to Singapore encourages greater investment from Singapore, Indonesia’s largest foreign investor. Chinese investment in Indonesia soars, helping with infrastructure development, but raising some concerns. Chinese delegation from Zhejiang province to travel to Indonesia to assess the political risk environment in the country. Foreign companies in Thailand ask Prime Minister to update its laws pertaining to foreign workers. Official Thai delegation to China hopes to attract more investment, reinforce the relationship, and increase cooperation on China’s One Belt, One Road initiative. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak rejected the notion he was trading the country’s sovereignty for foreign investment. Vietnam’s FDI inflows reach record highs and Vietnam promises steps to attract more investment.

MNCs in the News-2015-09-18

China and the US step up negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty (BIT). US companies face intensification of pressures to accommodate Chinese government’s information technology security anxieties. US backs off imposing sanctions against Chinese companies benefitting from commercial hacking activities. China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspections, and Quarantine tells FAW-Volkswagen to do more in regards to Sagitar defect. Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) registers impressive growth in first eight months of 2015 and all of 2014 with One Belt, One Road (OBOR) investment continuing to soar. Lenovo is working to ensure its server products can be purchased by US government agencies. China will help set up infrastructure to promote China-ASEAN internet connectivity and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Japan’s Kayaba Industries Co. pleads guilty to price fixing scheme and accepts large fine. Korea’s National Tax Service undertakes tax audit of Mercedes-Benz Korea. Korean government pushes foreign businesses to hire more workers, especially young workers. Indonesia is moving to implement incentives to boost foreign investment in refinery operations. Vietnam takes heed of complaints of Korean business community.

MNCs in the News-2015-08-14

Inward FDI into China in July shows decent growth. China’s State Council works on the distribution of a draft automobile sector antitrust policy. Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment lauds contribution of foreign firms to Shanghai’s innovation. Qualcomm partnership with Semiconductor Manufacturing Industrial chips away at competitors. Tsinghua Unigroup is on the move to bolster China’s domestic telecommunication chip capabilities. Chinese outward foreign direct investment soars in first six months of the year versus the prior year. Chinese firms pour money into Germany. Mitsubishi Materials works to settle restitution cases with Chinese laborers. South Korean companies very willing to work in North Korea. Japanese and Chinese battle to win high-speed rail opportunity in Indonesia. Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) one-stop service wins new rights to permits for the oil and gas sector and minerals and coal mining sector.

MNCs in the News-2015-03-06

China’s draft counterterrorism law raises substantial concern among foreign companies. Foreign technology firms struggle to determine best way to defend their interests in China. Deputy Commissioner of State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) asserts China’s intellectual property laws are not used to discriminate against foreign technology businesses. Premier Li Keqiang proclaims China will significantly revise Foreign Investment Catalog to reduce foreign investment restrictions. American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai report indicates costs and operating challenges most concern foreign firms in China. Alibaba confronts penalties in Taiwan. Connecticut’s Attorney General investigates Lenovo’s pre-loading of Superfish software. Japan works to limit the power of Google. Japan moves to facilitate foreign investment with one-stop office. South Korean business and government leaders push multi-dimensional opportunities between the two countries. POSCO partners with Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund about possible automobile joint venture in Saudi Arabia.

MNCs in the News-2014-10-10

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.