09 NOVEMBER 2022View in Browser
 
 
 

This week's primary foreign investment news
from our ASEAN, China, India, Russia, Belt & Road and Vietnam Briefings.
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HEADLINES:

Curated by Chris Devonshire-Ellis

In this week’s issue we examine the opportunities in China that would have been introduced to the German Chancellor’s business delegation to Beijing, and examine the new China ‘Women’s Protection Law’ and employer compliance. In ASEAN we provide a complimentary and unique study of Malaysia’s economic transition, and advise on Vietnam’s ‘Foreign Contractor Law’. In India we examine opportunities in the ‘Over The Top’ Internet sector, and look at Algeria’s application to join the BRICS. Sanctioned Russia has managed to shake off the loss of most of its European trade in just nine months – we look at how and where this has been done. Along the BRI we discuss the EBRD analysis of Central Asia’s Middle Corridor development and financial reconstruction and finish with our usual BRI global round up.

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CHINA
China Passes New Women’s Protection Law: Key Takeaways for Employers
China amended its Women’s Protection Law on October 30, 2022, aiming to give women stronger protection against sexual harassment and gender discrimination. Taking effect on January 1, 2023, the law has added several provisions that shall impose new requirements on businesses regarding female employee management. We discuss the key implications of the new Women’s Protection Law for employers in China.
 
Scholz’s German Business Delegation Looking To Understand China Opportunities
A rare event occurred on Friday (November 4) when Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Due to strict Covid restrictions, it has been the first visit by a major Western leader for the past three years. Scholz’s delegation included numerous German business senior executives, indicating the visit included significant discussions about Germany-China trade and investment opportunities. It is well-timed as significant industrial and service sectors have just become open for German investment in China – we discuss what and where these are.
 
ASEAN
Malaysia’s Economic Transition: From Plantations and Palm Oil to Tech and Green Energy
Our latest complimentary issue of Asian Investment Research (AIR) is an in-depth report into Malaysia’s key economic and investment environment, complete with detailed 2021-22 project tracking, as well as sector growth and prospect analysis for financial and corporate investors alike. It contains unique data and provides a current look into Malaysia’s accelerating investment environment. Essential reading for Banking, Finance and Corporate Investors looking at Malaysia, ASEAN & RCEP opportunities and analysis.
 
Foreign Contractor Tax in Vietnam: A Complete Guide
Vietnam’s foreign contractor tax (FCT), often referred to as the withholding tax, is a tax that is applied to transactions conducted in Vietnam between a foreign company or sub-contractor and a Vietnamese company. It is made up of two kinds of taxes. These are the value added tax (VAT) and, either personal income tax (PIT) for individuals, or corporate income tax (CIT) applicable to most foreign contractors that are registered as organizations. We explain the compliance and avoidance measures.
 
 
INDIA
India’s OTT Media Services Industry: Rapid Growth Amid Competition for Market Share
Over-the-top (OTT) media services refer to a media service offered directly to viewers via the internet. India’s OTT media services sector is expanding rapidly, doubling in size over the past four years. This article looks at the competition for market share among 40 platforms operating in the sector, the challenges being faced, and the competition for popular content.
 
 
BRICS
Algeria Applies To Join BRICS
Algeria has reportedly filed an official application to join the BRICS group of major emerging economies. Algerian news website Al-Shouruk said the announcement came from Leila Zerrouki, the Foreign Ministry’s special envoy for international partnerships, speaking on state radio. Algeria has a GDP of some US$168 billion, a population of 45 million and is a significant energy and fertilizer producer. Current GDP growth rates are slightly above 8% for 2022.
 
RUSSIA
Russia Is Getting Close To Replacing Its Entire EU 2021 Trade Volumes In Developing Markets
Russia’s bilateral trade with the European Union in 2021 reached €257 billion, with €158 billion of those being Russian exports to the bloc. With the Euro now at parity with the US dollar, the amounts traded can now be considered the same. But looking ahead to 2022, and the intense trade and financial sanctions placed upon Russia by the European Union, how has Russia managed to replace the EU trade values? We examine Russia’s multilateral trade growth in 2022.
 
BELT & ROAD INITIATIVE
EDRB Says Significant Transport Infrastructure Investment Needed Across Central Asia & Middle Corridor
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is conducting a study on sustainable transport connections between Central Asia and Europe, funded by the European Commission. The study, which should be completed by summer 2023, aims to identify the most sustainable transport connections between Central Asian economies and the extended Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
 
Belt And Road Weekly Investor Intelligence #106
In this week’s round-up we discuss opportunities for German investors and exporters in China in the wake of Chancellor Scholz’s visit to Beijing, examine new Pakistan railway funding, and Beijing’s debt forgiveness in Tanzania. In ASEAN, we have a comprehensive report into how Malaysia, with BRI projects, is transforming its economy, and look at prospects for BRICS following the recent Brazilian elections and more calls for the SCO to be involved in payment structures. We also look at Russian plans to offer interest on Asian currency accounts.
 
 
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