Salt-Tolerant Rice Developed in the Philippines
Apr. 22 – Scientists at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) near Manila are currently in the process of perfecting a strain of salt-tolerant rice for wider field testing. The scientists have successfully bred a variety of rice that is salt-tolerant, which could enable farmers to reclaim coastal areas rendered useless by sea water and […]
China’s Investment in Europe Continues to Rise
By Sondre Ulvund Solstad Apr. 19 – Chinese companies increased their investments in Europe by as much as 21 percent in 2012, solidifying its position as the main destination of Chinese Outward Foreign Investment (ODI). In total, Europe was the recipient of US$12.6 billion of Chinese investment last year, which now represents approximately 33 percent […]
Minimum Wage Levels Across ASEAN
Apr. 16 – In an effort to combat inflation and prevent any outbreaks of labor unrest, ASEAN countries have increasingly been following China’s strategy of pushing for higher minimum wage levels and enacting new labor laws which greater protect workers’ rights. Many countries also see minimum wage increases as an opportunistic method of raising the […]
Introduction to the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement
By Sondre Ulvund Solstad Apr. 12 – The ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) entered into force on March 29, 2012, aiming to create a free and open investment environment through the consolidation and expansion of existing agreements between the ASEAN member countries. In replacing its two precursors, the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA) and ASEAN Investment […]
Singapore & Myanmar Expand Business Ties
Apr. 11 – Singapore-Myanmar economic ties were further bolstered this week thanks to the opening of International Enterprise (IE) Singapore’s Overseas Center in Yangon, Myanmar. The center opened during the Singapore-Myanmar Business Forum with support from the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI). In […]
Letters from America: China Losing Its FDI Luster as Asia Takes Prominence
This is Part XIII of our ongoing Letters from America to Asia Series, featuring opinions and observations on America’s trade relations with China and emerging Asia from Chris Devonshire-Ellis. Apr. 10 – I’ve attended two prominent annual U.S.-Asia investment events this past week, namely the Hot Markets Watch in Cincinnati, and the Asia-Pacific Business Outlook […]
New Issue of China Briefing Magazine: M&A Regulations in China
In this issue of China Briefing Magazine, we focus on the regulatory issues affecting cross-border M&As, and the key tax points foreign investors should be aware of when conducting M&As involving domestic Chinese companies. We also address the key aspects of transfer pricing, corporate restructuring exemption, and valuation as they relate to M&As.
Hong Kong and Singapore’s Double Taxation Agreements
Apr. 9 – While Hong Kong has been on a double taxation agreement (DTA) signing spree in the past few years, Singapore is the Asian queen of DTAs, boasting 69 comprehensive DTAs, roughly triple that of Hong Kong. In 2011 alone, Hong Kong’s DTAs with Austria, Ireland, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand and […]
BRICS Pass Cooperative Framework on Trade and Investment
Apr. 4 – On March 26, the BRICS group of emerging nations (which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) passed the Cooperative Framework for BRICS in Trade and Investment (hereinafter referred to as the “Framework”) during the Third Economic and Trade Ministerial Meeting in Durban, South Africa. The Framework intends to promote […]
Asia, EU Trade to be Bolstered by Way of FTAs
Apr. 3 – The European Union (EU) has been a key trade partner for many Asian countries over the last decade. This trend is likely to continue as over 90 percent of world demand is generated outside the EU, causing the organization to reach out and negotiate free trade agreements (FTAs) with key Asian countries. […]