Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power

MNCs in the News-2021-June

China adopts law for countering foreign sanctions, which some in foreign business community in China fear may be applied against it. Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China releases report highlighting anxieties about uncertainties created for Japanese firms by a slew of new, ambiguous laws and regulations such as the unreliable entities list and national security review law. Current data do not support the thesis that China’s national security law for Hong Kong has damaged Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center. Chinese firms are expanding their overseas operations to escape home country competition, gain local knowledge, and so on. Chinese outward foreign direct investment in Belt and Road Initiative countries shows respectable growth over first five months of 2021 versus prior year period. Japan continues along the path of greater regulation of internet giants and their potential abuse of market power. South Korean district court dismisses wartime labor compensation lawsuit brought by a group of Koreans against 16 Japanese companies. Korean firms substantially increase their lobbying activities in the United States for various political and economic reasons. Korean consortium’s hopes to win nuclear power plant bid rise with Czech government’s decision to rule out the involvement of Chinese and Russian companies.

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-2019-04-05

Chinese government shines light on subnational units that are making it difficult for foreign direct investment (FDI). China lubricating way for foreign energy giants to enter its petrochemical sector. Beijing is drafting rules to identify a list of BRI projects officially acknowledged by the Chinese government. China’s expansion in Latin America via the BRI raises US anxieties. British officials and senior labor union members will travel to Japan to press Honda to review its decision to shut down its United Kingdom (UK) Swindon plant. Toshiba experiencing delays in securing approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to sell its liquefied natural gas (LNG) business to a Chinese company. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) risks bid to become long-term maintenance service provider of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (ENEC) Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant because of its unilateral decision to replace plant’s workforce. Responding to a Saudi Arabian Cabinet member’s interview reporting “‘advanced’” talks, Hyundai Motor denied plans to build a new manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia.

MNCs in the News-2018-12-07

China says will lift all barriers to foreign direct investment (FDI) not included on the negative list and launch a special inspection to ensure foreign investors are treated fairly. China is advancing its promise to open its financial sector as evidenced by its approval of Swiss UBS Group’s control of a local joint venture (JV). Tesla has opened the bidding to build its “gigafactory” in Shanghai that will help it avoid Chinese tariffs on imported US-built cars. Sensitive to rising national security concerns, British telecom firm BT Group has blocked Huawei from supplying equipment for its core 5G technology. Diverging from other countries, Portugal allowed its major network provider to sign a contract with Huawei. Japan and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. are contemplating abandoning a nuclear project in Turkey due to ballooning costs. Tokyo will issue guidelines for the acquisition of telecommunications equipment by central government ministries and the Self-Defense Forces that implicitly relate to Chinese makers. South Korean and Chinese officials hold investment promotion meeting in Beijing to seek ways to lower trade barriers and boost bilateral investment. Korean delegations makes urgent visit to the United Arab Emirates to dispel worries of Korea’s possible loss of the exclusive right to operate the Barakah nuclear power plant.

MNCs in the News-2018-09-28

China State Council meeting decides to pursue numerous measures to increase foreign direct investment (FDI) flows as well as the realization of major FDI projects. Rising United States (US)’ tariffs are driving Asian firms to leave or contemplate departing China for other places in the region. Despite pressures, China Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) official notes Chinese outward FDI (OFDI) is to be expected and Beijing will encourage firms with ‘good reputation’ and ‘strength’ to invest. Per MOFCOM the profits of Chinese companies overseas hit USD $137.8 billion in 2017, a 52 percent jump year-over-year (YOY). The Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corp. for Transport & Urban Development (JOIN) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation will invest $300 million in the $16 billion Texas high-speed rail project. Seeing shifting trade patterns due to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the US-China trade war, Japan’s Nippon Express will seek to expand its shipments on Chinese rail companies. South Korea’s Daewoo to cooperate with state-owned Korean enterprises and other firms to bid on massive nuclear power projects in the Czech Republic and Poland. South Korea and Chile look to build up their infrastructure cooperation.

MNCs in the News-2018-07-06

There is some evidence China has started sanctioning American firms in China as a way to retaliate against American tariffs against Chinese goods. Foxxconn breaks ground on potential multi-billion dollar display screen plant in Wisconsin that allow it to profit from incentives and satiate Donald Trump’s America First campaign. United States (US) Department of Commerce allows ZTE limited duration, partial reprieve on seven-year comprehensive supply purchase ban. Pakistan seeks new funding from China, warning that failure might force it to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which might result in the end of some of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. Value of new Japanese FDI in US increases by 70 percent as President Trump pushes to expand employment. Japan and Kazakhstan to implement seven joint projects worth approximately USD $2 billion in areas like nuclear energy, transport and water supply. South Korea working with the US and the United Arab Emirates to win $19 billion power project in Saudi Arabia. Samsung urges Chinese officials to cancel discriminatory policies against foreign businesses. Malaysia and China are discussing a future visit to Beijing by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir in the wake of Kuala Lumpur’s suspension of Chinese projects valued over $20 billion. Malaysian senior trade official says country is open to more value-added investments from China.

MNCs in the News-2017-12-01

German business association warns Chinese Communist Party request that foreign firms set up party cells may have adverse consequences. Chinese government advisor suggests Shanghai will create free-trade port represents that addresses the failings of the previous Shanghai Free Trade Zone initiative. Shanghai body asks IKEA to consider a new round of dresser and chest recalls. China’s National Development and Reform Commission promulgates list of penalties that Beijing may impose on firms that engage in illegal outward foreign direct investment (FDI) and related activities. Japanese Court to hear Toshiba Western Digital dispute on sale of flash memory division. SoftBank Group to invest USD $2.5 billion in India’s Flipkart as India’s anti-trust commission approves deal. Seoul and London sign memorandum of understanding easing approval process for Korea’s KEPCO to acquire Britain’s NuGen. Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. and POSCO Daewoo Corp. win Uzbekistan power plant deal. Jakarta has not finalized plans yet for Freeport deal as parties continue to disagree about mine’s valuation. Indonesia’s state-owned utility company Pembangkitan Kawa Bali and Abu Dhabi Future Energy agree to build world’s largest floating photovoltaic power plant. Bangkok approves USD $22.6 billion infrastructure investment in Eastern Economic Corridor, paving the way for more foreign investment projects. Thai firm will build massive power plant in Myanmar despite international outrage over Myanmar’s abuse of Rohingya. Malaysia’s central bank approves larger China’s HNA Group ownership stake in Germany’s Deutsche Bank subsidiary despite initial concerns. Foreign brewing companies eagerly await sale of Vietnam’s state-owned brewer Sabeco. Foreign M&As of Vietnamese business entities rising as Hanoi increases foreign ownership limits and privatizes state-owned enterprises.