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www.observatorioasiapacifico.org

BOLETÍN DE NOTICIAS DE ASIA PACÍFICO1

Enero – Marzo 2016 N°8

Noticias empresariales y comerciales

China introduces infant formula brand restrictions (27/01/2016)

Australian infant formula makers are poised to gain a greater share of the lucrative

market in China after Beijing authorities introduced tougher food safety laws.

One in 10 new Hong Kong homes to be built by mainland Chinese developers in

three years (27/01/2016)

One in 10 new privately built homes by 2019 could be built by mainland developers,

opening the market for more competition and adding further downward adjustment

pressure on prices, says industry experts.

Malaysia is ASEAN’s largest investor in Vietnam in 2015 (27/01/2016)

Malaysia was ASEAN’s largest foreign investor in Vietnam in 2015 with total pledges of

US$ 2.47 billion, thanks to US$ 2.4 billion poured in the Duyen Hai 2 power plant in Tra

Vinh province by Janakuasa Sdn. Bhd.

1Elaborado en base a las versiones digitales (en inglés y español) de los diarios más

representativos de la región de Asia Pacífico. Las noticias son responsabilidad del medio periodístico no comprometiendo ni reflejando las opiniones del Observatorio América Latina – Asia Pacífico, ni de las Organizaciones que lo conforman. Las noticias son presentadas en su versión e idioma original con acceso directo al link de acceso al periódico.

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New Japanese MFI to assist farmers (28/01/2016)

Japanese financial services firm Idemitsu Credit said it had started operations in its

local subsidiary that will provide financing and instalment payment services to the

agricultural sector in Battambang.

Businesses see China-Australia trade corridor attractive (28/01/2016)

Businesses see the China-Australia corridor as an attractive prospect as both

economies transition into sustainable growth focusing on Asia's burgeoning consumer

economy.

Chile overtook France as top wine exporter to Japan in 2015 (28/01/2016)

Chile has supplanted longtime No. 1 France as the top exporter of wine to Japan in

2015, Finance Ministry data shows.

Samsung flags $1b Roy Hill loss (29/01/2016)

Roy Hill head contractor Samsung C&T has confirmed industry expectations of a

budget blowout by flagging a $1 billion loss on the Pilbara iron ore project.

Chinese investors in discussions with Indonesian high-speed train project

(29/01/2016)

A Chinese official at China's Embassy to Indonesia told the Global Times on Friday

that the company working on the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project is holding

talks on project details and business permits with the Indonesia government and after

the talks, the project will continue.

‘Make in India’ show attracts 84 firms in China’s Chengdu (29/01/2016)

Known for its giant Pandas and spicy cuisine, Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province

played host to a road show on Thursday that sought Chinese investments to bolster

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” campaign.

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Private business hopes for bigger role in Vietnam economy (29/01/2016)

After a decade of uneven progress, foreign and local businesses hope the reshuffled

leadership of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party will double down on modernizing an

economy dominated by state companies.

Bank of Japan introduces negative interest rate (29/01/2016)

The Bank of Japan on Friday introduced a negative interest policy in a move to boost a

stumbling recovery in the world's third-largest economy.

Japan leads global stocks higher after stimulus move (29/01/2016)

Japan led global stock markets higher on Friday after its central bank introduced a

negative interest rate policy in the latest move to overcome malaise in the third-biggest

economy. The yen dived against the dollar and the euro.

Korea to export rice to China for first time in Feb (29/01/2016)

Korea plans to export rice to China for the first time in February after both sides agreed

on a set of quarantine requirements last year, the farm ministry said Friday.

Cambodia earns 7.1 bln USD from garment, footwear exports in 2015 (1/2/2016)

Cambodia exported garment and footwear products in equivalent to 7.1 billion US

dollars in 2015, up 14.5 percent from a year earlier, the Industry Ministry reported on

Monday.

Nokia patent sales forecast from Samsung deal hits shares (1/2/2016)

Nokia said it had settled a lengthy patent dispute with South Korea's Samsung on Feb

1, but investors were disappointed by the financial terms of the deal.

Tourist arrivals continue to break records (1/2/2016)

The number of visitors arriving in New Zealand continued to break records in

December.

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Hyundai Sees Record Sales in Emerging Markets (1/2/2016)

Hyundai Motors achieved record sales last year in emerging markets such as Brazil,

India, Mexico and Russia.

Thailand eyes more investment from China (1/2/2016)

Thailand anticipates more investment from China as a number of enterprises there

have expressed interest in various areas, said Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong.

Vietnam to import power from Laos (1/2/2016)

Vietnam has invested in upgrading its electricity transmission lines in preparation for

importing power from Laos, according to the National Power Transmission Corporation

(EVN NPT).

Ministry to support Chinese investment in S. Korea (2/2/2016)

The Ministry of Commerce said it will support more Chinese pharmaceutical, finance,

cultural and consumer goods companies to invest in South Korea to extend their

business reach to a market with more access to companies from China.

New models make India the fastest-growing market for Hyundai globally

(2/2/2016)

India has emerged as the fastest-growing market for Hyundai globally as new models

such as 'Elite i20' and 'Creta' SUV have fuelled volumes. In absolute numbers, India

has become the third-biggest market worldwide for Hyundai, outside home market

Korea.

Japanese food exports hit record high for third year on cheap yen, popularity of

‘washoku’ (2/2/2016)

The nation’s exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products as well as foods in

2015 rose 21.8 percent from a year earlier to ¥745.2 billion, hitting a record high for the

third straight year, a preliminary government report showed Tuesday.

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Malaysia to promote Halal products to TPP countries (2/2/2016)

Malaysia is looking to expand its halal market to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

countries including Australia and New Zealand.

Shell to sell stake in Malaysian plant to China private refiner (2/2/2016)

Royal Dutch Shell said on Monday it had agreed to sell its shares in Shell Refining

Company in Malaysia to a unit of a private Chinese refiner for $ 66.3 million.

India, Brunei trade seen to grow further this year (3/2/2016)

Trade activity between Brunei and India is expected to grow this year despite low

commodity prices as both countries look to expand and diversify in terms of trade

output, a visiting senior Indian official said.

Laos to export electricity to Myanmar, more for Vietnam (3/2/2016)

Myanmar hopes to import electricity from Laos at an installed capacity of about 300

megawatts (MW) in the near future while the exports to Vietnam may be increased in

the next few months.

Maersk Line merges Singapore and Hong Kong offices, HQ in Hong Kong

(3/2/2016)

Maersk Line, the world's top container shipping company, has merged its Singapore

and Hong Kong regional offices.

Japanese investors encourage Thailand to join Trans-Pacific Partnership

(3/2/2016)

Japanese investors have urged Thailand to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to

attract Japanese investment flows, which they say are needed for the Kingdom’s

infrastructure projects.

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Toyota Motor Corp looks to Daihatsu Motor to crack small car market in India

(4/2/2016)

Toyota Motor Corp will start talks this week with its affiliate Daihatsu Motor to build and

sell small cars in India, where it has so far struggled to crack the cheaper end of the

market.

Mexico, China to implement 2.4 bln USD joint investment plan (5/2/2016)

Mexico and China are working to implement a joint investment fund of 2.4 billion US

dollars to promote development, an official told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Labour reforms needed under TPP (10/2/2016)

Improvements on Brunei’s labour standards as part of a consistency plan under the

Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are still in progress with the sultanate undergoing the

ratification process.

Indonesia targets 10 percent rise in coffee export this year (11/2/2016)

Indonesia has targeted to increase coffee export to 1.1 billion US dollars this year as

worldwide demands rise, a senior official at the trade ministry said on Wednesday.

India’s tea exports to Pakistan rises 56% (12/2/2016)

India’s tea exports to Pakistan rose by 56 per cent to Rs. 139.74 crore in the first nine

months of the current fiscal, while the overall outward shipments surged by just 9 per

cent to Rs. 3,218.07 crore.

Amazon picks up 26 per cent in Tata group’s Westland (12/2/2016)

Tata Group’s retail firm Trent Ltd. on Thursday said online retail giant Amazon has

picked up 26 per cent stake in its publishing arm Westland for Rs 9.5 crore.

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Obama, ASEAN leaders to talk China and trade (15/2/2016)

US President Barack Obama will press leaders from Southeast Asia to boost trade and

back common goals for the South China Sea during a summit that the White House

hopes will solidify US influence in the region.

AirAsia India makes 134 per cent growth in passenger traffic (15/2/2016)

Higher capacity deployment coupled with increased frequency on two routes helped

budget carrier AirAsia India to make a robust 134 per cent growth in passenger traffic

as it flew over half-a-million customers in October-December period of 2015.

Malaysia keeps CPO export tax at zero (15/2/2016)

Malaysia will keep its crude palm oil (CPO) export tax at zero per cent in March,

contrary to market expectations and despite a recent rise in prices, Reuters reported

last Friday.

Economists eye 3.2-4.5% growth in Thailand's GDP (15/2/2016)

Thailand's economy is expected to maintain growth momentum this year, with

economists projecting a wide range of growth in gross domestic product.

Philippines optimistic on United States-Asean Summit (16/2/2016)

The first-ever summit between the US and Southeast Asian nations this week is proof

the world’s superpower remains serious on its “pivot to Asia” policy both in economic

and security fronts, the country’s finance chief said.

Myanmar-China bilateral trade hits over $9 billion (16/2/2016)

Bilateral trade between Myanmar and China hit over $9.4 billion in the first ten months

(April-January) of 2015-16 fiscal year, sources with the Ministry of Commerce said on

Monday.

US becomes Viet Nam's top trade partner ahead of TPP (16/2/2016)

The US has become Viet Nam's leading trade and investment partner, which has been

reflected through impressive trade values between the two countries over recent years.

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‘Aviation market to see strong growth in Asia-Pacific’ (17/2/2016)

Asia Pacific will continue to experience stronger growth than any other world region as

more people fly more often for the next two decades, according to spokesperson from

Airbus on the opening day of the Singapore Air Show.

Nissan to build cars in Myanmar for first time (17/2/2016)

Japanese auto giant Nissan will start assembling cars in Myanmar for the first time this

year, the company said Wednesday, as it expands its presence in one of Asia's final

economic frontiers.

Australia aims at anti-dumping measures against Asian steel makers (18/2/2016)

Australia has initiated on Thursday an investigation on the impact of Asian steel

makers in the Australian market as part of the government's second stage of anti-

dumping reforms, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne

announced.

Malaysia 2015 GDP up 5% (19/2/2016)

Malaysia´s economy lost more momentum in the fourth quarter but grew faster than

market expectations, with domestic demand helping to offset slumping oil and

commodity prices.

China opens more inbound duty free shops (22/2/2016)

China has opened 19 new inbound duty free shops for domestic shoppers, the Ministry

of Finance (MOF) said on Monday.

Foreign capital returns to Malaysia (22/2/2016)

This is no monkey business: capital is finding its way back to emerging Asian markets,

including Malaysia, to seek better yields.

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Vietnam seeks more rice export markets (23/2/2016)

Vietnam exported nearly 6.6 million tonnes of rice in 2015 worth over US$2.8 billion, up

4% in terms of volume but down 4.5% in terms of value compared to 2014.

Chinese phones go global after pushing aside Apple, Samsung (24/2/2016)

Along with other Chinese phone makers such as Huawei and Xiaomi, Chinese brands

have surpassed Samsung in China and are encroaching on Apple’s turf.

Seafood exports to rise on TPP (24/2/2016)

Economists forecast that seafood exports from Viet Nam to the United States (US),

Japan and other members in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) block will

rise after February 4, 2016.

Beijing launches activities in Latin America to promote tourism (25/2/2016)

Beijing launched a series of activities Wednesday to introduce its tourism resources

and culture in its latest promotional campaign in several cities in Latin America.

Hong Kong Airlines starts Cambodia flights (4/3/2016)

Hong Kong Airlines launched a scheduled service from Hong Kong to Phnom Penh on

Saturday.

China to lower entry barrier for foreign investors (4/3/2016)

China will lower the entry barrier for foreign investors and speed up the revision ofrelev

ant laws, said Spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce Shen Danyang on Wednesday.

China offers guidelines for companies investing overseas (4/3/2016)

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade will release an export mark

etguideline by the end of this month to assist the country's foreign trade, especially in e

merging markets such as Latin America and Africa, officials said on Wednesday.

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Asean integration will create new middle class in Malaysia, says HSBC (4/3/2016)

A new middle class is expected to arise in Malaysia, with aspirations very different from

previous generations, when the Asean Economic Community (AEC) is fully

implemented.

Japan to increase aid to Asia amid China’s growing maritime assertiveness

(9/3/2016)

The government will expand aid to Asian countries amid China’s growing maritime

assertiveness in the South China Sea, according to an annual report on foreign aid, the

contents of which were obtained by Kyodo News on Tuesday.

Ho Chi Minh City sees potential in youth for business growth (9/3/2016)

Thorne said his visit is part of a US programme to assist ASEAN countries, including

Vietnam, to promote business and innovation.

Chinese investment in Europe, US hit record high in 2015 (10/3/2016)

Chinese investment in Europe and the United States hit a record high in 2015,

according to a report released by law firm Baker & McKenzie on Thursday.

Hero MotoCorp to enter Nigeria this month, Mexico on radar (10/3/2016)

India's largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp plans to enter new markets globally,

including Mexico and Nigeria, as it eyes 1 crore unit sales by 2017-18.

US investors show interest in three sectors in Indonesia (10/3/2016)

A number of US investors have expressed interest in investing in the country's creative

economy and cold storage and health service sectors with planned investment of Rp

263 billion (US$20 million).

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Foreigners to get better legal service (11/3/2016)

China's top judge has asked the courts to improve the legal environment through better

handling of disputes involving foreigners, particularly in the marine sector, as the

country opens wider to the outside world and tries hard to attract overseas enterprises.

China's FDI grows in Jan.-Feb. (11/3/2016)

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Chinese mainland continued to grow steadily in

the first two months of this year despite slowing overall growth.

Indonesia plays pivotal role for Fonterra’s ASEAN business (14/3/2016)

New Zealand's largest dairy company Fonterra, which owns the popular Anlene brand

in Indonesia, launched a packing plant in Cikarang, West Java, last year.

Thailand signs bank-access agreements with Malaysia, Philippines (14/3/2016)

Malaysia's central bank said on Monday it has signed agreements with its counterparts

in Thailand and the Philippines on market access and operational flexibility for lenders,

as the Asean countries move towards an integrated banking market.

Japanese week to explore cultural arts, opportunities (15/3/2016)

Activities such as an Ikebana Demonstration, Japanese Calligraphy, Japanese

Cooking, Yukata Dress Up, Kendo, Origami and many more will be open to the public

from March 18-20 during the Japanese Language and Culture Week to be held at the

Times Square Shopping Centre.

Myanmar-Japan joint venture applies for airline licence (15/3/2016)

The joint venture submitted a “late application” to the outgoing government, which is

awaiting approval from the Myanmar Investment Commission, a director at the Ministry

of Transport’s Department of Civil Aviation told The Myanmar Times.

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Hyundai, Kia to enter Iranian car market in the second quarter (15/3/2016)

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors will sign a complete knock down contract with Iranian

automakers and export related components during the second quarter of this year,

sources confirmed on Monday.

13rd China-ASEAN Expo to open in S China (16/3/2016)

The 13rd China-ASEAN Expo, slated for Sept. 23-26, will be held in Nanning, capital of

south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local authorities announced

Wednesday.

Taiwan firm’s $1 million investment bears fruit (21/3/2016)

Since 2015, United Agri-Fishery Market Sdn Bhd, a company set up by Taiwanese

nationals, has invested about $1,000,000 at the Tanah Jambu Agricultural

Development Area to produce watermelons, sweet melons and cherry tomatoes for the

local market.

India, China can learn from each other’s varied growth models (23/3/2016)

While the Chinese economy is slowing down after entering the "new normal," India,

under Narendra Modi's governance, has witnessed a rapid economic growth in recent

years.

Vietnam, Russia co-operate to produce motor vehicles (23/3/2016)

This was according to a Protocol on supporting Russia's production of motor vehicles

in Vietnamese territory signed between Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Vu

Huy Hoang and Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov in Russia on

March 21.

India sets rules for foreign investment in e-commerce sites (30/3/2016)

India has set rules for foreign investment in online marketplaces, allowing up to 100

percent overseas ownership and providing much-needed clarity as billions of dollars

pour into the country's fast-growing e-commerce sector.

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Acuerdos y negociaciones

Scope of FTA with Chile to expand further (28/01/2016)

China and Chile are in talks to expand the 10-year-old free trade agreement between

the two sides, to boost trade in agricultural products and develop logistics and financial

services, Chilean officials said on Wednesday.

Forum discusses TPP trade opportunities for Vietnam and Australia (2/2/2016)

A forum on Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade and investment opportunities for

Vietnam and Australia was held by the Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade in co-

ordination with the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) in Sydney on February 1.

Viet Nam, Australia seek TPP trade opportunities (3/2/2016)

Vietnamese and Australian businesses explored trade and investment opportunities

that will be created by the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement during a forum

held in Sydney on Monday.

Business wants speedy ratification of TPP (4/2/2016)

Australian business groups are urging parliaments of the 12 nations that make up the

Trans Pacific Partnership to swiftly ratify the deal.

Trans-Pacific Partnership nations focus on merging trade agreements with China

(4/2/2016)

China loomed large in the considerations over the controversial Trans-Pacific

Partnership (TPP) trade deal, trade ministers revealed at the official signing in New

Zealand Thursday.

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‘This represents a historic achievement for the Asia-Pacific region’ (5/2/2016)

Countries under the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement will now work on

completing their respective domestic processes after formalising the trade pact in

Auckland, New Zealand yesterday.

Pacific Rim nations sign TPP agreement (5/2/2016)

The US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership, one of the biggest trade deals in history, was

signed in New Zealand yesterday by all 12 member nations amid loud protests.

China to accelerate free-trade negotiations (5/2/2016)

The Ministry of Commerce plans to step up the pace of its free trade arrangements with

partner countries that offer what it called a high degree of transparency, openness and

inclusiveness to the world economy.

ASEAN Leaders Try to Woo Obama and the United States (17/2/2016)

As the two-day conference came to a close in California on Tuesday, the group's

leaders urged Washington to make a bigger showing in the region as the alliance

hopes a greater U.S. presence will temper China's? assertive stance toward the

disputed South China Sea territory.

Myanmar to maintain good relations with China under new government (9/3/2016)

Myanmar will maintain good relations with China under the new government, U Aye

Kyu, editor in-charge of the D-Wave Journal, published by the election winning National

League for Democracy (NLD), told Xinhua on Tuesday.

Boost trade with ASEAN (21/3/2016)

South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region plans to strengthen local

infrastructure and establish the region's Beibu Gulf as a free trade zone to increase

trade and partnerships with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

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Uruguay to boost FTA (28/3/2016)

Uruguay expects to promote the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between

Mercosur, or the Southern Common Market, and China when Uruguay holds the

rotating presidency of the organization, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa

was quoted as saying on Saturday.

ASEAN builds work plan for integration initiative (31/3/2016)

Present at the event were the IAI Task Force along with Ambassadors and heads of

permanent delegations to ASEAN and representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar

and Vietnam.