As reported all over the media today, the U.S. Congress cleared free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, bringing an end to years of stalemate. The Agreements, the biggest trade deals since 1994, promise to result in the export of billions of dollars of U.S. goods and boost hundreds of thousands of American jobs…. Continue Reading
Category Archives: International Investments
Subscribe to International Investments RSS FeedSuccess in China is Built on Relationships. Just Ask General Motors.
Posted in Business Transactions, International Investments, UncategorizedA few weeks ago, I received a call from a prospective client, Mr. X, looking to expand his business and enter the China market. He wanted to know how best to go about forming this new venture. It was obvious he had done his research. Mr. X discussed whether it was best to form a… Continue Reading
Proposed Start-up Visa Promises to Boost Immigrant Entrepreneurs in the U.S.
Posted in International InvestmentsMy grandfather was an immigrant entrepreneur. He came to the United States in the 1940’s. With two young daughters to support, he worked his tail off seven days a week. He could have probably made due working just five days a week. But that was not his plan. The way he figured, the… Continue Reading
Double Taxation Treaty Between Brazil and the United States Takes a Step Closer to Conclusion.
Posted in International InvestmentsI just read an article over at Forbes’ Bric Breaker blog, authored by Kenneth Rapoza. The article, Brazil businessmen Urge Obama to Sign Double Taxation Treaty, reports that U.S. and Brazilian executives asked President Obama today [March 19, 2011] to sign a treaty that would end double taxation of goods traded between the two countries…. Continue Reading
SEC Files International Gold Fraud Case in Miami. Beware the Golden Opportuntiy.
Posted in International Investments, International LitigationAs an attorney based in Miami, I see a lot of international fraud cases filed in Miami. But lately I’m seeing a lot of cases related to what can best be described as gold fraud. Of course, with the price of gold in record territory, this is not exactly a surprise. Just today, the Securities… Continue Reading
U.S. Supreme Court: Securities Fraud Law Does Not Apply To Transnational Securities Deals.
Posted in International InvestmentsThe U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that America’s main law against securities fraud does not apply to investment deals that occur outside of this country, even if they have some domestic impact or effect. In the opinion, the Court declared that U.S. securities fraud law cannot be used in American courts to challenge a “transnational” securities… Continue Reading
Doing Business in Peru. There’s Never been a Better Time.
Posted in Business Transactions, International InvestmentsI just arrived back from Lima, Peru, where our firm has an office. I last visited about a year ago and I’m incredibly pleased with the level of development that has taken place since then. It seems everywhere you look, there is another building going up. We’re not talking a property bubble here folks. The growth… Continue Reading
How to Structure an International Distribution Agreement.
Posted in International InvestmentsAlthough I enjoy the day-today challenges of international litigation, I’m often called upon to structure international business deals. These are fun too, as I get an inside look at the business side of many different kinds of industries. Lately, I’ve seen a considerable increase in the number of distribution deals being forged. Distribution agreements are… Continue Reading
International Transactions: How to Do Business in Brazil.
Posted in International InvestmentsI’m a huge soccer fan thanks to Brazilian great Pele, who introduced me to the game. So with the 2010 World Cup only a few months away, I was happy to read today that Brazil moved into the top spot in the FIFA World rankings . This puts Brazil in pole position to go into the… Continue Reading
IMF Raises Growth Forecast for China and India. Global Recovery Faster Than Expected
Posted in Business Transactions, International InvestmentsIn its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF indicated that the global economy will grow faster than expected– at 4.2% this year. China’s growth is forecast at 10% 2010, with India also at a rapid 8.8 %. Sub-Saharan Africa has weathered the crisis well and its recovery is expected to be stronger than in previous… Continue Reading
International Transactions: The Effect of Cultural Values on International Mergers & Acquisitions
Posted in Business Transactions, International InvestmentsForeign mergers account for the majority of worldwide M&A activity. With the global economy on the rebound, cross-border M&A activity is expected to reach record levels. The numbers of cross-border deals currently in the works include: Indian personal care products maker Godrej Consumer Products Ltd is in talks with Argentina-based hair color products firm, Issue… Continue Reading
The BRICfast Club (Part III): China and Brazil Sign Trade and Investment Agreements at BRIC Summit
Posted in Business Transactions, International Banking, International InvestmentsOil and Steel Industries to Benefit This is the third in a series of posts dedicated to the BRIC countries. While the late John Hughes would have appreciated the titular tribute to his Breakfast Club classic, the series is meant to stimulate a robust discussion among those interested in the subject. For the uninitiated, BRIC is… Continue Reading
Top Ten International Economic Trends for 2010. It’s Good News.
Posted in International Investments, Random Thoughts and ObservationsAs an international business attorney, I’ve got to stay on top of global markets to provide my clients with the best possible service. But with things moving so fast these days, it can be hard to keep up. Thanks to a highly insightful presentation authored by Byron Wien, Senior Managing Director at The Blackstone… Continue Reading
Global Corporate Tax Trends for 2010: An Overview of 183 Countries.
Posted in Business Transactions, Corporate Governance, International InvestmentsThe World Bank Group’s Doing Business Project recently released the 2010 edition of its Paying Taxes Report. The report is unique in that it measures the ease of paying taxes across 183 economies, by assessing the time required for companies to prepare and file tax returns and pay taxes, and also the company’s total tax… Continue Reading
The BRICfast Club: A Series of Posts Dedicated to Brazil, Russia, India and China (Part II)
Posted in Business Transactions, International Investments, Random Thoughts and ObservationsIndia Needs Massive Investment in Physical Infrastructure to Catch China Growth This is the second in a series of posts dedicated to the BRIC countries. While the late John Hughes would have appreciated the titular tribute to his Breakfast Club classic, the series is meant to stimulate a robust discussion among those interested in the… Continue Reading
Doing Business in Japan Teleconference. $768.8 Billion Reasons to Attend
Posted in Business Transactions, Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, International Arbitration, International Banking, International InvestmentsThe International Law Prof Blog has passed along details about an upcoming teleconference, “Doing Business with Japan,” sponsored by the American Bar Association Section of International Law. The conference could not come at a better time. Businessweek’s Daniel Kruger reported this week that Japan has overtaken China as the largest foreign holder of U.S…. Continue Reading
The Ultimate Hidden Fee: U.S. Based Multinational Companies Face $122 Billion Tax Burden Under Proposed Bill
Posted in Business Transactions, Corporate Governance, International Investments, Random Thoughts and ObservationsAnd Why Relocating to Switzerland May be the Best Corporate Strategy There’s nothing more annoying than finding hidden fees buried deep inside obtuse and mangled contract language. The only thing worse than finding hidden fees is learning about these punishing provisions from someone else—after you’ve signed the agreement. If you thought hidden fees provisions were… Continue Reading
The BRICfast Club: A Series of Posts Dedicated to Brazil, Russia, India and China (Part I)
Posted in International InvestmentsHey Brazil–Take Your Time With Those BITs, I Can Get Them Somewhere Else! Today we’re launching the first in a series of posts on the BRIC countries in a fast, quick read format. While the late John Hughes would have appreciated the titular tribute to his Breakfast Club classic, the series is meant to… Continue Reading
2010 Index of Economic Freedom Released: United States Ranks Eighth
Posted in Corporate Governance, Dispute Resolution, International InvestmentsThe Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation released its annual 2010 Index of Economic Freedom. Of the world’s 20 largest economies, Hong Kong ranked first while the U.S. came in at number eight. According to the Wall Street Journal article, The U.S. is Not as Free as It Used to Be, a number… Continue Reading
India Doubles Number of Billionaires: Will Its Proposed Business Laws Threaten Gain?
Posted in International InvestmentsRecession? What recession? Business in India is booming. Forbes is reporting that India’s Billionaire Club nearly doubled in the past year. According to the Forbes special report, India’s 100 Richest, the nation is now home to 52 Billionaires, up from 27 last year. According to the report: The combined fortune of India’s 100 richest is… Continue Reading
Hey Brazil: It’sTime to Ratify Those Bilateral Investment Agreements
Posted in Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration, International Banking, International InvestmentsBrazil is on a roll. Yesterday’s Financial Times included a special 10-page section devoted to Brazil. One of the articles, Olympic Accolade Sets Seal on Progress, written by Jonathan Wheatly, succinctly describes the “exuberant optimism” that has gripped the country since it was awarded the 2016 Olympic Games. And the Wall Street Journal recently reported on… Continue Reading
Microfinance Programs Surge in India
Posted in International InvestmentsWhile my posts are usually technical discussions centered on international business law, I’m going off topic today to write about a concept quickly gaining traction as a viable alternative to private banks in providing capital to impoverished entrepreneurs across the globe. On a recent trip to India, I caught a glimpse of the future as… Continue Reading
International Tender Offers: Structured Deals on the Rise
Posted in International Banking, International InvestmentsAs Forbes reported today in the article Dainippon completes tender offer for Sepracor, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. of Japan agreed to buy Sepracor, based in Marlborough, Mass., for about $2.6 billion, or $23 per Sepracor share. Sepracor makes drugs for respiratory and nervous system disorders. It reported $1.29 billion in revenue in 2008, with almost… Continue Reading
Lisbon Treaty a Boon for Business in the European Union
Posted in International InvestmentsAs recently reported in the Wall Street Journal in the article The Last Hurdle for the Lisbon Treaty, Ireland’s Oct. 3 approval of the Lisbon Treaty strengthened the odds for the European Union to gain global clout on issues from the economy and climate change to war and peace. An excellent overview on the… Continue Reading