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MNCs in the News-2018-05-04

China’s financial sector opening seems to be bearing fruit in terms of catalyzing applications by foreign firms to enter the China market. China’s liberalization of its aircraft sector giving flight to new opportunities for foreign companies in the aviation industry. In partnership with Irish development authorities, Chinese pharmaceutical firm makes major greenfield investment in Ireland. Chinese accountancy expands in the United Kingdom (UK) to service growing China-UK investment and trade. Hitachi considering Taiwan plant as Asian hub after winning bid for Taiwan Power offshore wind turbines project. Japanese traders competing to expand poultry businesses by importing from abroad after Japanese ministry sanctioned the import of Turkish chicken. Korean battery manufacturers such ramping up investment in China in preparation for the end of Beijing’s electric vehicle subsidy. Following historic summit between the two Koreas began plans for joint development projects and South Korean investment into the North. Arkema and CJ CheilJedang to invest over USD $300 million in Malaysian Kerteh Biopolymer Park as Malaysian, French and Korean authorities jointly promote facility.

MNCs in the News-2018-04-06

Beijing’s market competition regime exerts increasing effect on global merger and acquisition (M&A) activity and foreign firm operations in China. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) put severe constraints on Japan’s SoftBank as a condition of its acquisition of US investment group Fortress last year. Toshiba Corp. to miss March deadline to sell USD $19 billion flash memory division due to complications with China’s anti-trust regulators. Kumho Tire to finalize sale agreements with Qingdao Doublestar following its union’s vote on the sale. Lotte Group reaffirms its decision to exit its Chinese operations after China’s State Councillor pledged China would support smooth sales of Lotte Mart’s Chinese stores. Turkey’s Hitay Holdings repeats pledge to develop USD $1 billion geothermal power plant in Indonesia’s Aceh province. Indonesia’s investment board announces removal of foreign capital restrictions on investment in university and other educational ventures. Thai investors criticized for their impact on locals and the environment in Cambodia and Myanmar. Malaysia to evaluate market impact of Uber’s move to sell its Southeast Asian operations to Singapore’s Grab. Malaysia’s state-owned energy utility company Tenaga Nasional secures USD $168.77 million to refinance its 80 percent stake in two UK wind energy companies. Foreign investment in Vietnam increases due to country’s increasingly open investment environment.

MNCs in the News-2018-03-09

China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) states China will improve noticeably market access and operating conditions for foreign direct investment (FDI) this year. American Chamber of Commerce in South China reports that number one concern of American businesses in China because of the is China's cybersecurity law. European Union (EU) may adopt legislation relating to inward FDI this year as a result of rising security concerns especially where Chinese FDI involved. Beijing's controls on outward Chinese FDI do not dent Fosun acquisition spree in clothing and luxury goods areas. Nissan in talks with Renault to acquire bulk of French state's 15 percent Renault stake. Japanese companies still waiting to see what happens with Great Britain's EU Brexit negotiations before deciding how to react to Brexit. GM Korea to ask Korean government to make its Korean factory sites foreign investment zones so it can get tax concessions. Doublestar reaches agreement with Korea Development Bank on purchase of 45 percent stake in Kumho Tire as union protests continue. Jakarta makes it easier to invest in energy and mineral sector by reducing regulations and licensing burdens. Prudential in talks with Malaysia's second largest pension fund to sell 30 percent stake in Malaysian unit following Malaysian central bank move to reduce foreign investment stakes. Telekom Malaysia signs memorandum of understanding with Huawei to work together on expanding fiber broadband network reach in Malaysia. Vietnam revokes investment license for foreign-owned oil refinery project. Legal expert says that foreign investors are interested in developing infrastructure projects in Vietnam including the North-South highway but hesitate because of legal problems.

MNCs in the News-2018-03-02

Apple stores key for accessing Chinese users iCloud data in China raising human rights and privacy concerns. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) opposition causes Xcerra to terminate sale to Chinese investment fund. Chinese automakers not braking on their overseas expansion despite legal and regulatory issues facing outward foreign direct investment (FDI). Shanghai government takes over CEFC China Energy. Toyota to build next generation of Auris model cars in England despite worries about effect of Brexit. Kubota Corp. to spend over USD $3.1 billion on three new US production plants in a bid to mitigate foreign exchange risks and jump market barriers. Mounting pressure in the US to impose trade restrictions on various Korean-made products cause Samsung Electronics to consider more US based production facilities. Kumho Tire under pressure to find new majority shareholder given opposition to Chinese investment in a firm that operates defense businesses. Foreign investors charged up about investment opportunities in Indonesian electric vehicle battery sector because of the country's backward energy infrastructure and battery technology. Indonesia's BIBU plans to work with foreign partners/investors to build a new airport in Bali subject to Ministry of Transportation approval. Russia proposes joint innovation fund with Thailand to increase investment in technology. Najib Razak announces Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil and gas conglomerate Aramco will invest USD $7 billion into Malaysia before March 31. Vietnam approves Vietcombank's sale of a 10 percent stake to foreign investors as Hanoi rolls back restrictions on foreign investment in the sector.

MNCs in the News-2018-01-19

Various Chinese government agencies press foreign companies to ensure websites respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Shanghai consumer council not peachy about Apple's alleged old battery induced phone slowdown. China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announces that Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) drops by almost 30 percent in 2017 year-over-year. US Congressmen urge AT&T to hang up interactions with Huawei leading China to call for level playing field. Mexico's state-owned oil provider Pemex selects Mitsui as partner for USD $2.6 billion coking plant. Mitsubishi partners with Vietnamese government to promote electric vehicles. South Korea's antitrust watchdog concludes Qualcomm must adhere to new requirements to complete its USD $38 billion NXP acquisition. South Korean companies increasingly turning to joint ventures to mitigate risk and reduce setbacks due to political turmoil. Indonesian government pushing for Saudi Arabian firms to invest USD $1.6 billion in new light rail transit line. Indonesian government wants to attract more foreign investment in its financial institutions. Thai government's incentives for eco-friendly cars drive Mazda to invest USD $357 million to upgrade its Rayong plant to produce hybrid electric vehicles. Thailand's BoI expects applications for foreign investment to increase to USD $22.6 due to improved political relationships with both US and EU. Malaysia's Permodalan Nasional and state-operated EPF plan to buy Britain's Battersea Power Station Project for USD $2.2 billion. Mitsubishi to expand its operations in Vietnam boosted by Vietnamese government incentives. Pending government approval, Amata Corporation plans to invest USD $485 million in Vietnam.

MNCs-2017-12-29

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into China’s service sector shows strong performance in 2017 with observers recommending various improvements to draw in more. China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is concerned about surges in mobile chips and may launch an investigation. The China Banking Regulatory Commission has published draft rules that would make it easier for foreign banks to enter China and expand their businesses there. NDRC minister says China is considering passing legislation that would improve supervision of outward FDI (OFDI) and clarify the limits that exist. Japan’s Sumitomo among foreign bidders for Indian Railways’ first global tender. Japan’s Kubota to join USD $92 million project to improve water supply infrastructure in Yangon following local government order. LG Display receives green light from Seoul to build USD $4.5 billion OLED production plant in Guangzhou. South Korea’s state-owned Korea Gas Corporation finally collects return on its 2010 investment into Australia’s liquefied natural gas sector. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group posed to gain approval from Jakarta to purchase 73.8 percent of Bank Danamon Indonesia. Major foreign motorbike companies to build production and assembly plants in Thailand as government investment packages continue to proliferate. UK firms looking to bid on light rail transit and construction projects from Malaysian government. Japan surpasses South Korea to become largest investor in Vietnam in 2017 as Hanoi attracts more foreign money for infrastructure investment.

MNCs in the News-2017-12-22

China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) official says Code of Conduct and Blacklist governing outward foreign direct investment (FDI) by private firms on the horizon. China’s outward FDI (OFDI) Code of Conduct calls for no bribery, environmental impact assessments, and respect for Chinese and host-country rules. Britain’s nuclear regulator approves Hitachi’s plans for advanced boiling water nuclear reactor. Financially troubled, state-backed Japan Display looking to attract over USD $1.8 billion in Chinese investment. Lotte Group shifting investment from China to Indonesia as part of Southern Eastern Policy after domestic Chinese conditions continue to cause company financial difficulties. South Korean and Chinese ministers reach agreement to lift retaliatory measures against Korean battery makers operating in China.

MNCs in the News-2017-12-15

China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) announces plan to ease requirements for foreign banks wanting to conduct yuan trading. Government restrictions put brakes on the progress of foreign autonomous vehicle development in China. Wisconsin to power it up to meet future Foxconn plant’s electricity needs. Economist Intelligence Unit finds that the United Kingdom’s attractiveness to Chinese investors dropped severely from 2015 to this year. Japan and the EU conclude talks on a free trade deal, however investment dispute settlement issues remain unresolved. Toshiba and Western Digital end legal battle over flash memory unit sale, though antitrust screening in big global markets could obstruct the unit’s sale. Samsung and LG expanding employment and investment in Vietnam in the wake of Hanoi’s efforts to attract foreign companies. Hyundai Motor Co. sets up JV in Indonesia in wake of South Korean President Moon’s New South Policy. Indonesia’s Gunung Steel Group and China’s Shenwu Technology Corp to build USD $3 billion steel plant in line with Jakarta’s goal to increase country’s steel production capacity. Singapore’s APRIL Group lodges case against Indonesian government through its Indonesian unit RAPP. Thai Beverage only foreign firm to bid for large share in Vietnam’s state-owned brewing company Sabeco. Jacobs Douwe Egberts to buyout Malaysia’s OldTown with deal conditional upon approval from Malaysian antitrust authorities. BRG Group and Sumitomo Corporation to finalize plans for USD $4 billion smart city in Hanoi as local government pledges to create favorable conditions for its execution.

MNCs in the News-2017-09-01

China announces it is working on a document to enhance the protection of foreign intellectual property rights (IPR). Likely due to Brexit, Chinese delegations flock to Ireland to explore investment opportunities. Indian government asks Chinese smartphone makers to provide info that allows for investigation of security of Indian user data. United States government probing potential bribes paid by Sinopec’s Swiss unit Addax Petroleum to Nigerian government officials. British luxury carmaker Aston Martin announces Japanese investment deal worth nearly USD $600 million as Brexit looms closer. Nissan and Renault teaming up with Dongfeng to design and introduce new electric vehicles to the Chinese market, following China’s new strict emissions rules. Disrupted parts supply due to sluggish cash flow resulting from backlash against Hyundai for Korea’s deployment of THAAD system halts Hyundai’s China production. Samsung Electronics in talks with China for a USD $7 billion expansion of its Xi’an chip plant. Indonesia to finalize numerous deregulation measures aimed at creating more competitive investment environment. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. reduces its ownership stake in Indonesian Grasberg copper and gold mine to resolve long-running dispute with Indonesia’s central government. Mobike, Ofo, and oBike are striving to win the Thai market and working with the government to build a favorable operating environment. Nazir Razak says foreign investors like Malaysia’s robust economy, but are holding off because of uncertainties linked to upcoming election. Vietnam’s leaders recently concluded state visits to Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand resulting in USD $13.45 billion of newly registered investment capital. Hanoi General Export Import JSC and Hong Kong United Investors Holding join together on bid for infrastructure project contracts from the Vietnamese government.

MNCs in the News-2017-07-21

In rare praise for foreign firms, Chinese President Xi Jinping lauds their contribution to China and says the Chinese government must do more to attract and retain them. The China Banking Regulatory Commission imposes strict limits on Chinese banks providing support for overseas deals by Dalian Wanda. Some feel the United States (US) Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States is becoming stricter which, in turn, may hinder Chinese investment flows in the US. Toyota continues USD $310 million UK plant expansion after receiving Brexit reassurances from British government. Japanese financial institutions move to set up subsidiary businesses in the EU as Brexit jeopardizes their financial services licenses. Hyundai to open fifth Chinese assembly plant as compact vehicle sales are expected to rise before Chinese government’s increase in purchase taxes next year. South Korea’s Nexen Tire Corp. signs memorandum of understanding with United Arab Emirates’ state-owned Mubadala Development Co. Indonesian branch of ExxonMobil drops talks on East Natuna natural gas block, with Jakarta saying it intends to invite firm to discuss project again. Economist says Malaysia to become key economic corridor because of strong economic fundamentals, strategic geographical location and Prime Minister’s diplomatic efforts. China’s restrictions on bank loans to Dalian Wanda Group diminish prospects of Bandar Malaysia project. Vietnam’s Prime Minister signs decision to boost his country’s solar power development which is spurring much foreign investor interest. At HCM City conference, Laotian provinces court investment from Vietnam.

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