Malaysia International Trade and Industry Ministry

MNCs in the News-2019-08-09

To cope with United States (US) tariffs on Chinese goods, several prominent Japanese firms operating in China are planning to relocate some of their manufacturing to other Asian countries. China’s State Council has expanded the Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ), adding an area called Lingang area which is supposed to become a business cluster for international businesses and cross-border financial services. The China-US trade war has driven two large Chinese consumer health care companies to seek to cooperate with/invest in Malaysia’s largest generic drug maker to grow their manufacturing base in Malaysia. China’s Zhong Ji Mining froze operations at its gold mine in Kyrgyzstan after 20 people were hurt in clashes between local protesters and Chinese workers. Tokyo touts that it had approved the export of a sensitive chemical to Korea, the first since it intensified export controls in July. Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Minister reports Japan’s Daihastu Motor “would provide ‘advanced technological support’” for Malaysia’s third national car company. A Korean National Labor Relations Commission decision to freeze the ongoing arbitration between GM Korea and its labor union means the labor union now has the legal right to strike. Due to Seoul’s decision in 2018 to have all public enterprises sell their overseas assets,” Korea Resources Corp. has been pursuing the sale of its Cobre Panama copper mine, albeit unsuccessfully.

MNCs in the News-2016-09-30

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) dismisses foreign business concerns about the investment environment for foreign direct investment (FDI). Microsoft, whose Windows 8 was banned two years ago on government computers, is now working on a localized government operating system for China. Outward FDI (OFDI) by Chinese financial institutions jumped 26 percent in 2015 while Chinese OFDI hit a new record. Chinese private firms become the dominant Chinese overseas direct investors in 2015. ChemChina seeks European Union approval of its immense acquisition of Syngenta AG. The parties involved in the Hinkley Point nuclear power complex project, which involves a major Chinese role, finally signed a contract for the deal. China and Thailand struggle to settle issues pertaining to a major joint railway project. China moves to bolster its investment, trade, and other forms of cooperation with Cuba. Japanese business delegation asks China to enhance exit procedures and antitrust rules. Indonesia may impose more than USD $400 tax bill on Google. Foreign pharmaceutical companies pour big money into Indonesia in anticipation of new health care opportunities. FDI accounts for more than 30 percent of Malaysian investment in the first six months of 2016. Thailand is moving to tighten tax collection rules for foreign internet and technology firms. Vietnam moving towards eliminating various caps on foreign involvement in its banking sector. Vietnam’s planned divestiture of Vinamilk could be a very positive sign for the country’s privatization drive.

MNCs in the News-2015-10-30

On the eve of her trip to China, German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces pressure to push German business interests. Chinese and American negotiators begin another round of BIT negotiations. The City of Beijing moves to implement new rules opening the capital’s service sector to foreign investors. Tianjin orders ConocoPhillips to pay compensation to 21 fishermen who sued the firm for losses suffered as a result of the 2011 Bohai Bay oil spill. Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Germany (CHKD) survey indicates Chinese firms in Germany still optimistic. Mexico’s Jalisco state signs a deal with China Communications Construction Company that could lead to the development of a 500-hectare industrial park in Jalisco. Chinese investment in New Zealand farmland provokes backlash and a heated debate. Korea achieves its highest ever ranking in the World Bank’s business friendly countries' assessment. The World Economic Forum scores Korea poorly in terms of labor market efficiency. The Korea Electric Power Corporation lands Korea’s first big alternative energy project in the Middle East. Malaysian official encourages Malaysian firms to grasp Halal foods opportunities. Malaysia leaps ahead of Indonesia as an Islamic finance hub. Responding to business complaints, Indonesia eliminates rules requiring companies to hire 10 Indonesian workers for every foreign one. Thailand’s position as a business friendly country slips three places in latest World Bank study. Vietnam’s FDI, concentrated in the processing and manufacturing sectors, soars year-over-year. Vietnam shows major drop in World Bank’s business friendly country rankings, though change may be a result of report methodology changes.