South Africa

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.

MNCs in the News-2016-01-01

China’s Central Economic Work Conference promises to “‘give equal treatment to domestic and foreign companies.’” China’s National People’s Congress approves counter terrorism law that worries foreign businesses and governments. China’s State Council issues guideline designed to enhance IPR protection. China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issues a draft of its first “Anti-Monopoly Guidelines on Abuse of Intellectual Property Rights” for public comment. China’s NDRC fines eight international sea freight shipping companies for price fixing. China’s People’s Bank of China suspends three foreign banks from certain kinds of foreign currency activities. Analysts expect Chinese outward investments to reach new heights in 2016. China’s nuclear power firms hope Hinkley Point project will be a stepping stone to new deals abroad. China and Pakistan finalize financing agreement for massive Thar Coalfield development project. Iraqi Prime Minister courts Chinese investment and railway cooperation during his first visit to China. Japan competes vigorously against China in battle to sell high-speed rail overseas. Inward FDI into Korea hits new high in 2015. At the end of December, Korea announced it would impose a Google tax on foreign companies. Hyundai Development Company wins $85.4 million bridge and road construction contract in Vietnam. Samsung Engineering lands another major engineering contract from Mexico’s PEMEX. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Community is expected to boost franchise businesses in Indonesia. Indonesia is hopeful that a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union (EU) will boost EU IFDI. Indonesian will increase incentives to boost investment in oil refineries. Thailand expects IFDI to meet its targets in 2016. China and Thailand hold ceremony to launch joint rail project, though disagreements exist which may delay the project’s start date. Malaysia touts the benefits of its Principal Hub scheme. Chinese group negotiating with Malaysian firms in order to position itself for a bid on Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail. Experts feel recent free trade agreements will boost investment in Vietnam. Vietnam expects US FDI flows into Vietnam to increase significantly, though obstacles remain.

MNCs in the News-2015-12-04

China’s General Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine announces recall of more than 10,000 Mercedes cars due to airbag defects. China moves to develop “Made in China” drugs. China’s rising overseas economic presence reflected in its negotiations with Djibouti to build a logistics hub. Top Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) leader highlights potential for further Chinese investment in Africa. At the latest China-Africa Cooperation Summit, Xi Jinping oversees expansion of Chinese economic cooperation with South Africa and other African countries. Ambitious $50 billion Nicaragua canal plan delayed by at least one year, intensifying doubts about its viability. Sino-Russian joint venture (JV) set up to build rail equipment for Moscow-Kazan high-speed rail line. Xiamen University to invest in campus in Malaysia that will support the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. Bank of China facing $50,000/day fine under US District Court contempt order. Nissan moves to limit French government and Renault interference in Nissan-Renault alliance. Japan agrees to provide funding to Indonesia for various mass transit and power projects. Japanese firm lands power deals with Botswana. British firms eager to exploit public-private partnership opportunities in Thailand. Thai Prime Minister emphasizes need for Thai-China railway to move forward. Indonesian government seems reluctant to start early negotiations with Freeport-McMoRan about the Grasberg mine. Vietnam reports significant increase in foreign direct investment inflows up to November 2015.

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.