Doing Business In India: Changing Face Of Terrorism

Corporate India and The Changing Face of Terrorism


The following is an excerpt from a report by KPMG India, discussing changes in corporate policy following the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.


To hear the excerpt, presented by the editor of Doing Business In..., The Global Business Professor, please click on the image below.

Terror, terrorism, terrorist - the dictionary tells us that the words are rooted in fear and India, the emerging economic superpower, is waking up to certain hard realities. We were recently witness to how terrorism, equipped with the latest communications technology and firepower can disrupt our lives and businesses.

The recent terrorist attacks have forced corporate cultures to transform dramatically, from a business-as-usual approach to the one in which security issues have come to the forefront. Although the fight against terrorism might be seen primarily as the role of the government; with corporate assets and executives becoming vulnerable, organizations can no longer live in a belief  that security is a state responsibility. They will have to assume accountability for the security of their premises and personnel.

But where do corporates begin their defense? The answer is found in how the terrorists attack.  While the gravity of the attacks has variated, what is significant to note is that this new kind of terrorism is very different in form, motive, and scale from what we have experienced decades ago.

The read the report in its entirety, please follow the link to Doing Business In India: Corporate India and The Changing Face Of Terrorism.

Doing Business In Europe: Waking Up

Waking Up In The New Economy

Ernst & Young's 2010 European Attractiveness Survey

To hear an excerpt from the Editorial forward of the report, presented by the editor of Doing Business In..., The Global Business Professor, please click on the image below.

Our global economy has turned into a multi-polar world, in which China, India, Brazil and the Middle-East have joined the traditional players of North America, Europe and Japan as both the destinations and sources of global investment.

Capital is now clearly flowing in multiple directions. New corporate giants are emerging to compete. Opportunities and challenges have grown as a consequence. Old assumptions have been found wanting but the new rules of competitive success have yet to be established.  In this new environment, Europe is still perceived as lacking clarity in direction or the necessary commitment and speed to adapt.

Our interviews with 814 of the world’s most demanding businessleaders, all in search of their next international investment opportunities, indicate that Europe needs a wake-up call, if it is not to lose ground to its more dynamic competitors.

Ernst & Young’s 2010 European Attractiveness Survey shows that Europe is vulnerable both on its Eastern front (left to rebuild its financial and social systems) and Western front (less cost competitive by the minute and not perceived as a “hot spot” for knowledge-intensive investments).

To read the entire report, please follow the link to Doing Business In Europe: Waking Up In The New Economy.

Doing Business In China: An Overview

Doing Business In China: A Report From The China Alliance Regarding Strategy And Investment In China

The following is an excerpt from The China Alliance report on Doing Business In China, which is intended as a Summary of the key issues relating to business strategy and investment in China.  The Alliance is comprised of four legal firms: Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP, Armstrong Teasdale, LLP, Blake, Cassels & Graydon, LLP, and Butzel Long.

To hear a brief summary of the article, from the editor of Doing Business In..., The Global Business Professor, please click on the image below.

Foreign Direct Investment and Business Vehicles

In practice, representative offices are the cheapest and easiest way for a foreign business to enter the Chinese market. Generally speaking, approvals are granted relatively quickly and as a matter of routine. Most foreign businesses choose to open a representative office in China as a preliminary investment. 

Representative offices provide foreign companies with the opportunity to explore the Chinese market without making the more sizeable investment and commitments that are required when establishing Chinese business entities. Under Chinese law, a representative office may be established to act as a liaison between the Chinese market and the foreign company.

A representative office's liaison activities are restricted to research, marketing and other activities that facilitate business between the Chinese market and the foreign company. Representative offices are not permitted to engage in any direct business activities. In other words, the representative office is not permitted to accept payment for goods, issue invoices or contract for sales on behalf of the head office. All sales contracts must be signed by the foreign company and payment must be remitted directly to the foreign company overseas.

Generally, once the application is submitted, a local branch of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation (MOFTEC) will review the documents and examine the credibility of the applicant, and an approval will normally be granted within approximately one month.

To view the article in its entirety please follow the link to Doing Business in China: An Overview