World Bank

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.

MNCs in the News-2015-06-12

Zhejiang Province/Financial Times study suggests foreign investors see continued opportunities in China, but still expect certain policy improvements. Premier Li Keqiang courts high-level foreign executives to participate in China’s modernization and promises a supportive environment. China continues seeks independence from foreign radio frequency identification chip companies and their technologies. European Chamber of Commerce in China survey reviews pessimism among European Union (EU) investors in China. Chinese company strikes deal with Russia’s Transbaikal Regional Government to develop 115,000 hectares of uncultivated land. Indonesia seeks to improve its World Bank Ease of Doing Business Survey ranking. Indonesia will limit foreign ownership stakes in its banks. Vietnam Capital Markets Working Group presses government to pursue new policies to facilitate marketization of its State-owned Enterprises

Mr. Naoyuki Haraoka's picture

AIIB Infrastructure Financing and its Impact on Investment Flows to Developing Countries

Mr. Naoyuki Haraoka
Posted: May 21, 2015

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a newly created Chinese-led regional development bank, is now attracting global attention from governments, businesses, and analysts and seems to be at the center of the debate on global governance; that is, whether it should be US- or China-led in the future. The US and Japan have opted not to join this bank since its governance and objectives remain unclear and, in particular, because it is uncertain how the AIIB will cooperate (or compete) with the existing international financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank.

MNCs in the News-2015-04-24

China’s Finance Minister Lou Jiwei raises concern about US Bilateral Investment Treaty proposals. Wall Street Journal analysis reveals that many Variable Interest Entities may be at risk depending upon how Chinese treats such structures. IBM cooperation with Chinese firm and China raises concerns about the business and political implications. Huawei CEO Eric Xu raises concerns about the potential fallout of China’s new stance toward foreign information technology. The American Chamber of Commerce’s White Paper calls for numerous improvements in the general and sectoral policy environment facing foreign businesses in China. China’s Finance Minister expresses concerns about US Bilateral Investment Treaty demands. China moves to make its negative list more positive in four key free trade zones (FTZs). Jiangsu Province’s Provincial Price Bureau makes Daimler Mercedes-Benz pay a price for price fixing. Visa and MasterCard appear ready to cash in on China’s bank-card clearing market after State Council opens the market in response to a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling. Korea moves to enrich up its Food cluster Foodpolis. Korean president Park Geun-hye visit to Latin America results in boost to Korean investment and trade. Indonesia will court Chinese investors with special “information desk” in Beijing.

Pages