Korea Ministry of Environment

MNCs in the News-2016-08-19

China’s Foreign Ministry downplays worries about its cybersecurity law. Apple launches numerous initiatives to enhancing its operating environment in China. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) asserts its rights to review Didi Chuxing-Uber Technologies China merger for potential antitrust issues. Second Australian rejection of a major Chinese investment this year spurs MOFCOM to warn Australia of consequences and to call upon the latter to create a better investment environment. Iran courts increased Chinese investment and prods China for greater involvement in the latter’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) scheme. Korea’s Ministry of Environment will conduct a major investigation to find out if other foreign carmakers falsified emissions and noise level test data. Seoul’s Central District Prosecutors’ Office grills second Volkswagen Korea executive over allegations the company illegal changed car parts to pass emission tests. Korea’s Fair Trade Commission concludes that Google Korea’s preloaded apps and subsidies for search ads did not restrict market competition. Korea is moving to deal with map data requests from global companies. The Malaysian government continues to support the Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor, with foreign investment representing 40 percent of the money committed to the project. Vietnam’s realized inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) flows fall far below committed IFDI.

MNCs in the News-2016-07-15

China’s State Administration of Taxation has issued new guidelines for evaluating domestic and foreign companies’ tax performance. Under pressure, IKEA agrees to massive recall of Malm products in China. Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co. stops producing the iEV6s sport utility vehicle featuring Samsung SDI’s batteries because the Chinese government did not approve the Samsung SDI battery possibly to retaliate against South Korea’s decision to accept the THAAD system. American Enterprise Institute analysis finds large percentages of Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2016 are for mergers & acquisitions, by private firms, and going to the US. China to make good on its promise to invest $2.21 billion in European Fund for Strategic Investments. For some, Chinese investments in film sector raise questions about China’s impact on film distribution and content. After Brexit, Japanese car makers forced to revisit the logic of their investments in the United Kingdom. Korea’s Ministry of Environment will impose a series of harsh penalties against Volkswagen for the latter’s fraud regarding noise and gas emission data. Korea’s Fair Trade Commission is likely to impose a nearly $900 million fine on Qualcomm for the latter’s abusive technology licensing practices. Indonesian government seeks billions of dollars in investment to help develop tourist zones. Vietnamese government targets greater tourism sector investment. Vietnam seeks foreign investment to plug it highway system funding gap.

MNCs in the News-2016-06-10

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed to global CEO’s that his government would be acting to create a better environment for foreign investors. Xiaomi strikes a deal to buy roughly 1500 patents from Microsoft. Political uncertainties surrounding the US presidential election expected to lead Chinese firms to become more cautious about investing in the US. United States (US) Commerce Department gives a subpoena to Huawei Technologies as part of a probe in the latter’s exports or re-exports of US technology. Alibaba says it is cooperating with a US Securities and Exchange Commission probe into its accounting practices. Newly elected Philippines’’ President Rodrigo Duterte states that he would welcome Chinese bids on two major railway projects despite bilateral tensions. Japan’s Transport Ministry raids the headquarters of Suzuki Motor Corp. as part of an investigation into the validity of the company’s fuel economy tests. Mitsubishi Materials settles case of World War II slave laborers. Mitsui is cooperating with the Malaysian government on the massive Iskandar Malaysia project. A Japanese-Indonesian consortium Bhimsena Power Indonesia will move forward on a long-delayed coal-fired power plant in Indonesia. Nissan corporate headquarters will file an administrative litigation against the South Korean government for actions taken by the Korean Ministry of the Environment against it. Korea’s Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction wins a 460 billion won deal from Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity & Water to build a desalination plant. Experts criticize the implementation of Indonesia’s 12 reform packages. Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) touts the positive effects of its new investment licensing service, but challenges remain. BKPM pleased by Japanese interest in multi-billion dollar projects. Uber seeks Thai Transport ministry approval for its drivers. Experts call upon the Vietnamese government to tighten environmental regulations for FDI projects.

MNCs in the News-2016-05-20

Chinese committee has been examining technology products (hardware, software, and other) sold by by big foreign companies for security risks. Apple CEO Tim Cook meets with Chinese officials in an additional effort to curry government favor. Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. has big globalization plans which include working with foreign government partners. Nissan faces South Korea fines and mandatory recall as well as consumer lawsuits over so-called emissions defeat device. South Korean CJ Group senior managers meet with top level Indonesian delegation to discuss cooperation. At forum in Seoul, Indonesian president welcomes more Korean investment and emphasizes his government’s progress in creating a better investment environment. Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said meets with US companies to tout investment opportunities in the energy sector. Thailand and China continue negotiations to settle on cost estimates for the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail project. Uber Technologies press Thai officials to legalize its services. Singaporean investors continue to remain important to Vietnam. Vietnam’s State Capital Investment Corporation and the Russian Direct Investment Fund sign MoU to establish a Russian-Vietnamese investment platform.