The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the international wing of Japan Finance Corporation, plans to provide US$2.5 billion (*S$3.36 billion) in loans in the 2010 fiscal year for clean energy and water supply projects abroad.
The 7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit New Zealand kept many businesses in the South Island city of Christchurch closed as a state of emergency was declared.
China’s Vice President, Xi Jinping pledged to provide fair and equal business environment for foreign firms, and to make economic opportunities available to all.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced plans to delay the date when Germany phases out nuclear power by another 15 years, in order to guarantee German energy security. Germany decided in 2000 to phase-out nuclear power by 2022. Once the deal is settled, the last plant will be shut down in 2040.
Singapore and Liaoning signed five memorandum of understanding (MOUs) on Thursday in Shenyang, China, to include Changxing Island into the next stage of development in the Liaoning Coastal Economic Belt.
Europe’s biggest economy, Germany was led out of recession by its export growth while the rest of the Euro zone economies trailed behind. Germany has been criticised for growing at the expense of the others but its rebound may help Euro zone peers after all.
The continued expansion of China’s automobile industry could cause harm to the economy. China overtook the US to become the world’s biggest auto market after sales hit 13.64 million units last year.
As the largest exporter of coffee, sugar, can-based ethanol and iron ore, Brazil has the capacity to emerge as an economic powerhouse. However, in an intensely competitive and knowledge-driven global world, the current state of education in Brazil is preventing it from accelerating its economy and establishing itself as one of the world’s most powerful nations.
Oil company, Petroleo Brasilerio, or Petrobras, will pay the Brazilian government US$42.5 billion (*S$57.24 billion) for oil rights to develop five billion barrels of offshore oil reserves.
The Bank of Japan is expected to hold off on easing monetary policy next week unless the yen’s appreciation shoots up to a pace of one to two per cent in a single day. Policy was eased after an emergency meeting on Monday. The bank may consider easing policy in October when it issues its outlook.
The US manufacturing sector expanded for the 13th consecutive month in August. The data helped ease concerns of a double-dip recession in the US economy.
India is mulling a Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill that will substitute all profit-linked incentives with investment-linked incentives for businesses that enjoy tax sops under the existing law.
Indonesia’s exports in July 2010 grew by 1.32 per cent from a month earlier to hit US$12.49 billion, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS). Subagio Dwijosumono, Deputy Head for the BPS, said that the July 2010 figures were up 29 per cent from that in July last year.
Singapore investors and businesses have received an open invitation by officials from both Cambodia and Laos to set up and invest in the countries, with both nations promising good returns of investments and generous business opportunities in many untapped sectors.
Taiwan is keen to enter into an economic cooperation agreement covering trade and investment with Singapore. Both sides maintain warm economic and trade ties.
More business licenses were issued in Dubai in the second quarter of 2010 compared to a year ago, said the emirate’s Department of Economic Development. In total, 4,101 licences for new businesses were approved during the period, a 17 per cent increase year-on-year and rise of 17 per cent from the first quarter of the year.
Sem Chong, Managing Director of Bluetree Electronics Pte Ltd, explains why he chose to market theKube through unconventional means to stand out from the crowd
Business profits of Australian firms in Q2 expanded by more than three times the amount estimated by economist. The increase in profits was led by mining companies, builders and banks.
French President, Nicholas Sarkozy cut France’s economic forecast for 2011 down. He said that the reduction of deficit to six per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) remains the top priority of the government.
Lim Der Shing, Chief Executive of JobsCentral Pte Ltd, shares his positive experience engaging BDO, one of the consultants at IE Singapore’s Advisory Centre, for a market feasibility study.
China is one of the fastest growing economy in the world. WBL Corporation, one of the first Singapore companies to establish a presence in China, shares their business experience in China.
Infrastructure projects accounted for 53 per cent of total investment in FY10, up from 45 per cent in the previous financial year, revealed a study on corporate investments by the Reserve Bank of India.
Oil prices fell following news that the Japanese economy experienced a sharp slowdown in the second quarter of the year, fanning worries about weak energy demand. Japan is the world’s third biggest oil consuming nation.
Brazil’s largest airline, TAM Linhas Aereas plans to merge with Chile’s LAN to create the LATAM Airlines Group SA. The merged airlines will become the largest carrier in South America.
On a month-on-month seasonally adjusted (m-o-m SA) basis, non-oil domestic exports (NODX) decreased by 3.9 per cent in July 2010, after the previous month's marginal 0.1 per cent decline.
MTI would like to inform that the EU authorities have circulated a Regulation Notice to inform interested parties of the initiation of a circumvention investigation against biodiesel exports from the US to the EU transhipped via Singapore
Investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector are on the rise as the emirate pushes to modernise and improve its medical services to serve its rapidly growing population.
Vietnam will continue to prosper and be a favoured investment destination due to its political and social stability, said Siji Kawazoe, an economist with Sumitomo Trust and Banking Company.
Malaysia is now targeting quality investments as it strives to be a high-income economy, said the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. He also said that the country is no longer suitable for low-end assembly operations.
While investment in Brazilian equities is on the wane, investors are committing more to long-term money in Brazil through mergers and acquisitions. Dealogic announced that deals this year amount to US$65.4 billion (*S$89.07).
With the global economy on the rebound, it is time to seek potential overseas business opportunities. IE Singapore is dedicated to assisting you go beyond the borders and find success in your overseas ventures.
Global recovery helped bolster an export-led growth in the German economy. Europe’s largest economy saw an increase in exports by 3.8 per cent in June, from May. This figure is an improvement from the expected 1.5 per cent.
An Adidas concept store, only the third of its kind in Europe, has opened in Prague. This indicates that retail may be performing better in the capital as a result of tourism and higher employment rates.
On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted (q-o-q sa) basis, Singapore’s total trade rose by 4.7 per cent in 2Q 2010, following the 9.0 per cent expansion in 1Q 2010.
Relations between Turkey and Israel were strained after Israel’s deadly raid on a Turkish-led flotilla to Gaza in May. Following the incident, Turkey threatened to end diplomatic ties without an Israeli apology and closed off its airspace to Israeli military planes.
The increase in orders in Germany’s engineering sector is leading the economy’s recovery. The sector expanded by 62 per cent in June this year, as compared to the same month in 2009.
Russia’s state oil giant, Rosneft, reported a substantial increase in profit and lower debt levels following a rise in output in its newly established Siberian oil fields, higher oil prices and zero export duties.
In May 2010, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol launched theGROUNDS, a new state-of-the-art platform and testing ground designed to facilitate the collaboration of renowned companies and knowledge institutions to develop innovative applications for a sustainable airport.
Japanese exports rose 27.7 per cent in June year-on-year, more than the previous forecast of 23.5 per cent, but the pace of increase slowed for the fourth consecutive month.
In the first half of 2010, profits have almost doubled for British Gas. The company benefitted from the coldest winter experienced in the UK in the last 30 years.
Costa Rica President Laura Chinchilla Miranda announced intentions to ease bureaucratic regulations in order to increase the flow of investment into the nation.
The number of unplanned inspections of businesses has decreased significantly since the Russian government’s decision to limit the regulatory burden on enterprises.
Singapore companies should invest in developing African ports to raise their capacities in serving the expected increase in African maritime trade volume.
China’s economic growth is expected to accelerate in the coming decade, and the injection of investments will shift from the traditional coastal regions to the western regions.
Singapore businesses that wish to venture into Africa now have a platform to help them create business transactions and project deals between the business communities in both countries.
With the global economy on the rebound, it is time to seek potential overseas business opportunities. IE Singapore is dedicated to assisting you go beyond the borders and find success in your overseas ventures.
Find out more about the recently announced SME Market Access Programme (MAP) at this seminar so sign up now!
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by the Singapore Co-operation Enterprise and Togo to increase cooperation between the two countries in the areas of industrial zone and infrastructure development, education and professional training systems.
Thailand needs to reform its financial and services sector in the near-term to maintain its attractiveness to foreign investors, said Nandor von der Luehe, chairman of the country’s Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce.
The central bank of South Korea revised its 2010 economic growth forecast to a high of 5.9 per cent, with growth in industrial output, exports and business investments leading the way ahead.
Ian Lee and Isabelle Low of IE Singapore’s Middle East and Africa Desk highlight the reasons behind Africa’s growth story, and how Singapore companies can benefit from this market.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has relaxed lending disclosure norms for foreign institutional investors (FIIs), allowing them to disclose information on a weekly instead of the current daily basis starting from 2 July 2010.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will be pushing for a slew of manufacturing-sector policies in the southern states in order to generate more income for the country. Among the policies include simplifying clearances and approval mechanisms, encouraging green manufacturing, fast-tracking infrastructure development and putting in place enabling flexible labour rules.
Multinational companies and foreign-owned corporations with experience in developing urban areas will be given priority to invest and develop the upcoming Thu Thiem New Urban Area in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 2, said Trang Bao Son, deputy head for the Investment and Construction Authority for the township.
On a month-on-month seasonally adjusted (m-o-m SA) basis, non-oil domestic exports (NODX) decreased marginally by 0.1 per cent in June 2010, after the previous month’s marginal 0.2 per cent decline.
Industrial units are now allowed to relocate across different Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as the government step up efforts to boost business consolidation and help companies base themselves nearer to their source of input or market.
The US remains an important market to consider for overseas expansion even though some might say that it is mature, competitive and has limited business opportunities, said Kathy Lai, Assistant Chief Executive for IE Singapore.
Private equity firms have snapped up deals worth over US$225 million in the IT and BPO space between January and April, more than double the levels seen the same time last year, according to data by Grant Thornton.
Education has emerged as one of the most lucrative sectors in India and many private equity investors are lining up to invest in the US$80 billion industry.
The upturn in the retail sector is attracting private equity investors that are making a beeline for a slice of the profits. According to observers tracking the sector, deal volumes were the highest in sectors such as healthcare, finance and consumer discretionary (which largely includes premium brands and retail).
India will be one of the top-five civil aviation markets in the world in the next five years, said Praful Patel, the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation.
The E50 Awards recognises local, privately-held companies who have contributed to economic development in Singapore and abroad. Nominations for 2010 Enterprise 50 is now open.
On a q-o-q SA basis, Singapore’s total external trade rose by 9.0 per cent in 1Q 2010, at a faster pace than the 3.7 per cent expansion in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Singapore and the Netherlands share plenty of synergies in water and waste management, says Linnie Mackenzie, Area Director for the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) in Singapore