Kenya

Wong MNC Center orchestrated volume entitled China’s Maritime Silk Road, Africa, and the Middle East: Feats, Freezes, and Failures publicized on Palgrave MacMillan

China’s Maritime Silk Road, Africa, and the Middle East: Feats, Freezes, and Failures is now publicized on the Palgrave MacMillan website. This edited volume, initiated and brought to fruition by the Mr. & Mrs. S.H.

MNCs in the News-2019-06-28

President Donald Trump’s tough stance on intellectual property rights (IPR) violations seems to be driving China to treat foreign IPR more respectfully. At the Osaka G20 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announces several measures China will undertake to open its market further to foreign direct investment (FDI) and improve IPR protection. This past week witnessed the creation of the Belt and Road Economic Information Partnership (BREIP). Two major BRI projects in Africa end. At the Osaka G20 summit, participating countries embrace Japan’s international principles for quality infrastructure. Japan tells two leading candidates for the British Prime Ministership it does not want a “no deal Brexit.” As part of its downstream growth and diversification strategy, Saudi Aramco and its affiliates have signed a dozen accords with South Korean companies covering sectors areas like shipbuilding, engine manufacturing, and petrochemicals. A consortium involving Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KNHP) and KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering (KPS) signs a five-year maintenance service deal for the Barakah nuclear power plant, but fails to garner responsibilities for maintenance services, nuclear scientists, and engineers.

MNCs in the News-2018-05-18

Gap struggles to find its way with respect to T-shirt sold in China featuring criticized map. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) shows large overseas investment results since 2013. Chinese lithium firm moves forward on deal to take major stake in Chilean lithium producer despite potential government opposition. Seizing opportunities created by China’s BRI, Wu Yi plans to construct an approximately $100 million industrial park in Kenya. First jointly built container port involving public and private sectors of both Japan and Vietnam opens in Vietnam’s Haiphong. Chinese officials increase visits to Japanese corporations to court greater investment. Chinese workers at South Korea’s Lotte Mart affiliate in Beijing stage sit-ins to protest Lotte’s decision to back out of Chinese market. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister pledges to work with South Korean firms to boost incoming investment. Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad vowed to reassess all large infrastructure projects with Singapore. Mitsui and Mitsubishi Estate partner with Malaysia’s Sime Darby Property to build and manage industrial facilities with development cost of $133 million

Wong MNC Center "The Political Economy of China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI), Africa, and the Middle East" Conference a Big Success

On November 18 and 19, 2017, the "Political Economy of China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI), Africa, and the Middle East" conference was held in Shanghai, China. The conference, orchestrated and co-sponsored by the Mr. & Mrs. S.H.

MNCs in the News-2017-05-19

Almost five dozen global business groups send letter to top Chinese officials asking China to postpone the implementation of its cybersecurity law. Foreign pharmaceutical companies seek new ways to get high off China’s pharmaceutical policy reforms. Several American senators scream that Ant Financial’s takeover of MoneyGram is a national security threat. Joint strategic and security concerns over China’s Belt and Road initiative drive Japan and India to engage in new economic partnership. China’s economic retaliation against South Korea following South Korea’s adoption of THAAD missile system decreases after the installation of a new Korean government. Daewoo E&C and Hanwha E&C partner with Saudi Arabian government to develop new Saudi Arabian city. Wanda Group Chairman meets with Malaysia’s Prime Minister and considers investment exceeding USD $10 billion in Bandar Malaysia development. Malaysia’s troubled carmaker Proton seeks to sell up to 51 percent stake to foreign investor. Survey shows that despite government encouragement to go overseas smaller Singapore businesses emphasize local investments. Vietnam’s President welcomes Chinese hi-tech investment as Hanoi pursues a green economy and economic growth. Transfer pricing continues to be a serious problem with foreign investment in Vietnam.

MNCs in the News-2016-09-02

China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee adopts amendments that allow for the permanent suspension of four foreign investment related laws in the Fujian, Guangdong, Shanghai, and Tianjin Free Trade Zones (FTZ). China has decided to allow for the creation of six new provincial FTZs as well as one municipal level FTZ, with each place expected to play to its features and comparative advantages. The European Chamber of Commerce in China asserts China’s market barriers are politically unsustainable. China’s Ministry of Commerce confirms to reporters that it is investigating the proposed Didi-Uber merger. British Prime Minister Theresa May confirms she would have her National Security Council examine the potential security implications of China’s participation in the massive Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant project. Japan pledges USD $30 billion investment in Africa at the 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development. Japanese trading firms find electrifying power project opportunities in Africa. Korean free economic zones are not achieving the anticipated results. Indonesian state-owned enterprises seek funding from multiple sources to fund the country’s massive infrastructure plans. Vietnam and Cuba aim to boost bilateral investment flows.

MNCs in the News-2015-12-11

Cisco says it will give its source code to no one while seeking a “win-win” arrangement with China. Chinese media report that Google has set up a shell company in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone. Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) official says that the government will work to facilitate greater outward investment by Chinese firms. Chinese nuclear firms radiate over opportunities presented by China’s Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative. Taiwan struggles to set policy regarding mainland Chinese investment in its chip sector. Chinese firms look to expand abroad to escape limits on their ability to test and sell GMO crops at home. Following the China-Africa summit, Chinese firm wins new railway deals with Kenya. Japan to sign major high-speed rail contract with India. Japanese firms will participate in Brazil urban rail projects. Korean Finance Ministry will create a major fund to support Korean businesses in China. Samsung Engineering scores major petrochemical project awards from Petronas. Nestle acknowledges some working in its Thai seafood supply chain are treated like modern-day slaves. Former Malaysian (Sabah) Chief Minister believes government can create the conditions facilitating a Chinese firm building a bridge connecting Labuan and Sabah. China Railway Engineering Corp. makes investment in Malaysia to lay a possible foundation for bidding on a high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard's picture

Loco about Localization: The Obvious is Not for Chinese Companies

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard
Posted: Aug 24, 2015

It is de rigueur today that Chinese companies need to become more localized. At a minimum, they need to become more aware of local laws, regulations, and customs and abandon the idea they can do things like they do them at home. At the maximum, they need to hire more local workers and managers, source more goods locally, transfer technology, and become better corporate citizens, adopting meaningful corporate social responsibility programs.

MNCs in the News-2015-07-24

China’s utilized foreign direct investment (FDI) in first six months of 2015 increases significantly over the same period in 2014. Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) expects solid FDI inflow results for 2015. China’s move to create incentives for traditional gas-powered hybrids may open opportunities for foreign car companies in China. Chinese outward FDI is on a path to exceed inward FDI. Tsinghua Unicom’s pursuit of Micron raises all kinds of anxieties. Chinese FDI dominates Myanmar investment scene. U.S. Federal Reserve Bank requires China Construction Bank to shape up it anti-money laundering rules. China’s Industrial and Commercial Bank of China promises to help Kenya realize new gains. Japan’s Mitsubishi Materials apologizes for use of slave laborers during Second World War and reports suggest it may offer compensation. Japan Tobacco International faces opposition in Taiwan to massive plan investment proposal. Indonesia remains Southeast Asia’s premier FDI destination, but faces challenges in reaching 2015 targets. Thailand attracts more investment projects in July, but value of investment falls

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.

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