Shake-up of Philippine telecoms duopoly faces delay

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
National Security ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
China Telecom ◽  
Midterm Elections ◽  
The Government

Subject Delays regarding the Philippines's third telecoms major. Significance The Mislatel consortium of China Telecom and local Philippine firms, which in November 2018 provisionally won the Philippines’s third major telecoms licence, last month delayed the start of its commercial operations to early 2021 from late 2020. The delay is partly due to legislative holdups, as Congress has been preoccupied with next month’s midterm elections. The presidential election is due in 2022. Impacts How the post-midterm Congress deals with the licence transfer will be an early test of its support for President Rodrigo Duterte. Congress delaying its approval beyond this July would be a negative indicator for prospective foreign investors in Philippine industry. The government will dismiss concerns over possible threats to national security from Chinese telecoms companies.

New government in Guyana will face challenges

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Government Spending ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Consensus Building ◽  
Business Climate ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Tension ◽  
National Congress ◽  
The Government ◽  
Progressive Party

Significance The government has changed hands only once since independence in 1966: in 1992 the People's Progressive Party (PPP), led by Cheddi Jagan, assumed power following 26 years of People's National Congress (PNC) government. Since the last election in 2011 the government has been hamstrung by a parliament in which a coalition of opposition parties, including the PNC, held a one-seat majority. The result has been gridlock, with no new legislation approved, and continuous disputes over the budget, government spending and agreements with foreign investors. Impacts The election could allow a new government to work toward consensus-building. This might facilitate policies to develop Guyana's potential, and narrow the socioeconomic gap with the rest of the region. If the result is close, political tension and deadlock will persist, undermining the business climate, investment and social progress.

Myanmar regulation reform will spur investment

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Investment ◽  
Economic Reforms ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Regulatory Environment ◽  
Business Climate ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Administration ◽  
Regulation Reform ◽  
The Government

Subject Myanmar's business environment. Significance The government is instituting measures to improve the business climate and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the economy. As part of this effort, on February 24, it instituted the Competition Act. However, while there has been an influx of new FDI, foreign investors remain wary -- largely because of the challenges of navigating Myanmar's old and complex regulatory environment. Impacts Economic reforms could slow in the event of an opposition electoral victory, as the new government gains experience. Improvements to the business environment could be constrained by a faltering or failed ethnic peace process. Regulatory reforms backed up by effective administration could contribute to equitable economic growth.

Nazarbayev's re-election will boost Kazakh 'siloviki'

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
Strategic Alliance ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Intention To Stay ◽  
The West ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Office ◽  
High Degree

Significance Three candidates competed for the country's supreme political office in the election on April 26. Unsurprisingly, Nazarbayev (74) won by a landslide, obtaining 97.7% of the total votes cast; the official turnout was 95.2%. This is the fifth presidential election in Kazakhstan since it gained independence in 1991. Nazarbayev's triumphant re-election suggests he intends to stay in power so long as his health permits. The prospect of an early succession is, therefore, again indefinitely delayed. Impacts Nazarbayev's re-election and apparent intention to stay in power are positive signs for foreign investors interested in political stability. His win may facilitate implementing anti-crisis measures thanks to domestic stability and a high degree of political centralisation. Kazakhstan's strategic alliance with Russia in the Eurasian Union is unlikely to experience major changes after Nazarbayev's re-election. Astana will continue to pursue a multi-vector foreign policy aimed at good relations with Russia, China, the West and Islamic countries.

Mongolia mine move raises nationalisation fears

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Prime Minister ◽  
Public Support ◽  
The State ◽  
Russian Government ◽  
Mining Company ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Parliamentary Elections ◽  
Main Obstacle ◽  
The Government

Subject The sale of the Erdenet mine. Significance The day before parliamentary elections in June last year, Prime Minister Saikhanbileg Chimed announced the sale of 49% of shares held by the Russian government in the Erdenet Mining Corporation and the Mongolrostsvetmet mining company to Mongolia Copper Corporation, an unknown private Mongolian company. Subsequent parliamentary inquiry concluded that the sale was unconstitutional and the government ordered the shares transferred to the state on February 16 this year. The government’s actions received wide public support while polls reveal that the electorate views corruption as the main obstacle to Mongolia’s development Impacts Talk of 'nationalisation' in the Western media threatens to derail Mongolia's efforts to fix its image and attract foreign investors. The unusual circumstances of the sale raise suspicions of corruption and collusion between Mongolia's previous government and largest bank. The new government's will to scrutinise sale demonstrates the strength of Mongolia’s democracy.

Lithium industry could take off in Mexico

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Electric Vehicle ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Domestic Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mining Companies ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship

Subject Outlook for lithium production. Significance Mexico has the potential to become a significant lithium producer in the next few years. As well as having found deposits in several parts of the country that appear promising, the mining industry in Mexico benefits from a regulatory and taxation regime that has proved attractive to domestic and foreign investors. Impacts Domestic production of lithium would help reduce Mexico's heavy dependence on imports. The Sonora project could help Tesla assure access to lithium, a link in the electric vehicle supply chain it does not currently control. The government will struggle to tackle extortion, given the opacity of the relationship between crime groups and mining companies.

If Kosovo-Serbia deal fails, violence could recur

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Economic Outlook ◽  
Weak Rule

Significance Kosovo politicians are deliberating a deal with Serbia that would trade territory for recognition. Domestic opposition to a deal based on partition is high. Impacts Bosnia and Macedonia will note the emerging US position on Kosovo -- no inviolable borders, and multi-ethnicity no longer a goal in itself. Weak rule of law and lack of legal protection will deter foreign investors, fearing disputes with a politically connected counter-party. The prospect of former UCK parties leaving and neo-Marxist Vetevendosje joining the government leaves the economic outlook uncertain.

Rift with EU looks likely after Turkish referendum

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Balance Of Payments ◽  
Administrative System ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Confidence ◽  
The Government

Significance Its fairness has been challenged by the opposition and international observers. Erdogan is nevertheless pressing ahead with consolidating his authority; in the coming months he will shake up Turkey's administrative system. Impacts Erdogan will remain firmly in control inside Turkey and the opposition will be further marginalised. Business confidence in Istanbul will remain low. The government will seek foreign investors in such sectors as mining to help ease balance of payments difficulties.

Australia will seek foreign infrastructure money

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Foreign Investor ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competitive Disadvantage ◽  
The Government ◽  
Budget Surplus ◽  
Tax Cuts

Significance Tax cuts were announced earlier this month for foreign investment in infrastructure, including transport, energy, water and communication. The move follows concerns that spending on infrastructure is too low for Australia’s projected population growth. Impacts The stimulus does not involve any new spending and will require the support of state governments, which co-fund some projects. Tax concessions will help ease a competitive disadvantage faced by foreign investors, but there will still be market barriers. Uncertain confidence in the current government could depress foreign investor interest. If it maintains the budget surplus, the government will keep backbenchers’ support.

China’s ‘new media’ create new markets and new risks

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New Media ◽  
National Security ◽  
The United States ◽  
Live Streaming ◽  
Security Threat ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Growth ◽  
Short Video ◽  
The Government

Subject Live streaming and short video in China. Significance Live streaming and ‘short video’ apps have fast become mainstream in China. The international growth of Chinese-owned short-video app TikTok has generated fears in the United States that its data policies and censorship constitute a national security threat. Impacts China’s array of internet regulations make it easy for the government to find fault with a firm whose actions it disapproves of. Future laws in China will directly govern the use of the algorithms tech firms use to monitor and censor content. US politicians will be increasingly aware, and wary, of Chinese tech firms that collect data on US citizens.

Sri Lanka will struggle to escape its debt trap

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Foreign Exchange ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
Political Instability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investor Confidence ◽  
Debt Problem ◽  
Sovereign Bonds ◽  
Outstanding Debt ◽  
The Government

Subject Sri Lanka's debt problem. Significance Sri Lanka late last month said it was planning to issue international sovereign bonds (ISBs) worth some 1.5 billion dollars, helping to repay loans soon to mature. The country’s gross outstanding debt stock rose to nearly 70% of GDP in 2018 from just under 40% in 2008. Impacts Debates around the presidential election due later this year will likely be dominated by security concerns rather than the economy. Political instability caused by rifts within the government will damage investor confidence in the country. Sri Lanka will step up efforts to attract tourists, hoping to sustain a key source of foreign exchange earnings.

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