UAE: Full Foreign Ownership of Corporations Now Closer

According to the statements of UAE Ministry of Economy senior officials, industrial companies may be the first to be permitted to be owned, 100% by foreign entities.  The law now requires foreigners to have an Emirati as a…

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Slovakia: Following Russia’s Lead

The Slovakian Parliament has pasted a new law that stipulates that any firm employing more than 500 employees which is important for the security of the state, protection of public health or operates in so-called network industries can…

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Zimbabwe: Wholesale Nationalization

Remarkably, Zimbabwe’s government has proposed that “indigenous Zimbabweans” take 51 percent ownership of all foreign companies, including mines and banks, according to a draft law seen by Reuters Friday.  Pursuant to the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment law (2007),…

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Qatar: Set to Rival New York, London and Hong Kong?

The emirate of Qatar has established the Qatar Financial Center (“QFC”), with the objective of creating a finanicial platform, to rival the Dubai International Financial Center, and to ultimately attain the same standing as New York, London and…

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Venezuela: Continuing to Swim Against the Tide

As this blog has noted, and at times celebrated, most economies have continued on in their efforts to liberalize their international trade and their domestic economies, notwithstanding the turbulent and uncertain economic environment. Having said that, and with…

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Brazil: Residential Property Mortgages for Foreign Investors Coming

Financial impediments for foreign investors come in many shapes and sizes.  In this instance, Brazil is acknowledging the problem of a dearth of residential mortgage lending, to foreigners looking to acquire a home in Brazil.  Although in theory…

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NAFTA: Partners Reaffirm Free Trade Commitment

NAFTA trilateral trade has increased three fold in fifteen years (N.B. to $949 Billion as of 2008) and, given certain countervailing pressures, it is encouraging to see the NAFTA participants reconfirm their commitment to the free trade principles…

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Canada: Rewrite to Investment Canada Act Possible

Court action by US Steel, arising from its acquisition of Stelco (a Canadian company), may prompt a review and rewrite of the Investment Canada Act, which regulates the investment in Canadian companies by foreign investors.  The current provisions…

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India: Wither Positive Tax Reform

While positive aspects of Indian tax reform have been more common place in recent times, this article highlights some of the less than inspired choices being made by the Indian Parliament, in the area of both domestic and…

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South Africa – BEE Compliance

As has been commented, on a number of previous blog posts, the Black Economic Empowerment regime in South Africa, although well intentioned and noble in it’s objectives, has remained the subject of concern, regarding uniform and universal application. …

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