Article by Paul Grossman, Director, US, OCO Global: It was a year ago this month that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global health emergency. Over the past year, business practices have changed forever, and none more so than those used for international trade. As we look forward to a post-COVID world, governmental agencies devoted to the promotion of international trade should consider the following: “Some exporters are more equal than

Leading specialist trade and investment advisory firm OCO Global is further expanding its presence across Asia with the appointment of KW Group, as Associate Regional Partner based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The new partnership will enhance OCO Global’s presence across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, supporting existing operations in China, South Korea and Japan, while boosting OCO Global’s footprint across Asia Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand. Joachim Arnold, Ch

The investment landscape in Asia and the Pacific has become increasingly uncertain and tied to the unfolding of current global and regional political economic risks, such as increased trade tensions, the retreat of multilateralism, and health risks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, these risks have disrupted global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to, from and within Asia and the Pacific. HIGHLIGHTS • Globally, both FDI inflows and outflows started to recov

Foreign direct investment has been hard hit in 2020, with levels plummeting by 40–50%. Investment Monitor has identified five key trends to keep an eye on in 2021. 1. FDI will continue to struggle in 2021 The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stated in June 2020 that it is expecting FDI volumes to decline by 5–10% in 2021. Investment will be highly dependent on Covid-19 recovery. The news in December 2020 of new nodes of the virus has dampened hopes that progres

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24): Malaysia recorded a total of RM64.8 billion worth of investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors in the first six months of 2020 (6M20) despite multiple headwinds on the global front, said the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). In a joint statement with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), it said the investments involved 1,725 projects and would create 37,110 employment opportunities in Malaysia.

Further strengthening of Singapore's position as SE Asia's tech hub today with the news from Tencent; Tencent Holdings Ltd. has picked Singapore as its beachhead for Asia, joining rivals Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and ByteDance Ltd. in the race to build up their presence closer to home after setbacks in the U.S. and India. Management at China’s largest social media and gaming company had been discussing Singapore as a potential regional hub and geopolitical tensions accelerat

The COVID-19-induced economic recessions worldwide have put downward pressure on cross-border investments. FDIs in emerging and developing economies in Asia are projected to subside by up to 45 percent in 2020 according to the UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2020. However, the pandemic has also led to the emergence of a “new normal”, brought about by the reinforcement of digital technology and e-commerce. Prior to the pandemic, emerging Asia was booming and regional corporat

Business leaders, academics and policymakers alike have emphasized over time the challenges of internationalization, and the need for public support in providing better access to foreign markets. Launching in a new market has been a challenge for a number of reasons, from the sheer cost and physical distance, through psychic distance to lack of knowledge and networks in destination markets. The public sector has come up with several tools for supporting internationalization;

Asia FDI Experts Webinar 2.0 - Free To Attend Asia Webinar on High Value FDI, Trade & Investment Innovation Strategies & Virtual Solutions For Investment Promotion. REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/critical-strategies-for-ipas-in-the-new-reality-apac-fdi-webinar-20-tickets-115160456024 WHO PARTICIPATES: Corporate's & Multinationals, Government Trade & Investment Agencies, Investment Promotion Agencies, Regional Development Agencies, Free Trade Zones, Industrial Parks &

KUALA LUMPUR (July 16): Malaysia recorded RM37.4 billion worth of approved investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors in the first quarter (1Q) of this year, of which 70.4% or RM26.3 billion comprised direct domestic investment (DDI). In a statement today, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said the top five sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) were Switzerland with RM2.7 billion investment, Singapore (RM2.1 billion), the United St

Great article by our friends at PM&P Germany. With a rush by IPAs to attract 'Lighthouse' Investors creating clusters of innovation excellence with common goals and community can hugely enhance the approach to high tech & innovation led industries with long term economic benefits. Experience in day-to-day contact with clients has shown that not only for large organizations but also for SMEs and Start-Up companies, international co-operations in terms of R&D partnerships are o

The latest UNCTAD IPA Observer highlights the critical role of investment promotion agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. It looks at how the agencies have transformed, and which changes are likely to stay after the crisis. The current COVID-19 crisis has brought to light the critical role of investment promotion agencies (IPAs). They have shown agility and reactiveness in supporting the evolving needs of investors during the pandemic and have been instrumental and valuable

WAIPA and theThe World Bank launch joint report on the “State of Investment Promotion Agencies: Evidence from WAIPA-WBG’s Joint Global Survey”. This report provides details of the current characteristics of national Investment Promotion Agencies (#IPAs) around the world, based on a joint global survey conducted by the World Bank Group (WBG) and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA). Following the novel WBG framework for investment promotion, the repor

Decoupling Between Washington and Western Industry By Scott Kennedy and Shining Tan Although the Trump administration does not openly embrace the idea of decoupling, its various policies – restrictions on high-tech exports to China, expanded investment limits, and efforts to have American companies move production out of China and on-shore manufacturing in the United States – effectively add up to a decoupling strategy. There are some signs that because of the trade war and o

Vietnam ratified a free trade agreement with the European Union on Monday that will cut or eliminate 99% of tariffs on goods traded between the Southeast Asian country and the bloc, and provide Vietnam with a much-needed post pandemic boost. Deputies in the National Assembly, which nearly always ratifies government proposals, voted by over 94% in favour of the European Union Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The EVFTA, expected to take effect in July, is the European Unio

Leaders in Foreign Direct Investment Conway Inc (US) Publisher of Site Selection Magazine since 1954 have appointed Malaysia based KW Group Sdn Bhd to represent and support the growth of Conway across the Asia Pacific region. As part of the largest international organisation dedicated to economic development, FDI and corporate site selection we are delighted to offer a full range of services across Asia Pacific. Services Include: Lead Generation & Virtual FDI Services (Globa

KUALA LUMPUR (June 2): Germany headquartered medical technology company B. Braun is expanding its portfolio of testing capabilities for healthcare solutions in Penang. In a joint statement, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and B. Braun said the testing capabilities related to intravenous access, surgical technologies, intravenous systems, central venous puncture and pain control. They said prior to the expansion, the Global Test Centre in Penang had only supp

Shanghai's foreign capital inflows rose 4.1 percent year on year to about 6.46 billion U.S. dollars in the first four months of 2020, officials said Friday at the Singapore-Shanghai Economic Cooperation Roundtable. A total of 15 regional headquarters of multinational companies and seven foreign-funded R&D centers were established in Shanghai in the Jan.-April period, raising the total numbers to 735 and 468 respectively, according to the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Comme

The International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) is identifying Japanese companies seeking to relocate their operations from China that can be invited to invest in Malaysia. Senior Minister cum Miti Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said this followed Japan’s decision to help its manufacturers shift production out of China or relocate their operations to other countries in response to the Covid-19 impact. “Miti will strive to convince Japanese investors to use Malaysi

HANOI — After proclaiming success in containing the #coronavirus Vietnam is positioning itself as a safe place to do business, capitalising on demand from international manufacturers looking to diversify their supply chains away from China. Vietnam has reported a relatively small 288 cases and zero deaths, putting the Southeast Asian country on course to revive its economy much sooner than most others, according to public health experts interviewed by Reuters. "Given its fast