2019-02-03

Sanctions are the Main Topic for European Businesses

Interview with Dr. Frank Schauff, CEO, Associatio​n of European Businesses

What economic development do you expect for 2019 in Russia?

Our view does not differ significantly from the assessment of the Russian government. There should be growth of approx. 1.5 percent in 2019. That is better than what we saw in 2015 and 2016. However, higher economic growth would be desirable for Russia to catch up internationally.

The Russian government has been promoting export heavily for some time. How do you see the potential for this?

With the devaluation of the rouble in 2014 and 2015, the competitiveness of the Russian economy has risen. As a result, European companies are now exporting from Russia, for example in the automobile industry. This is a new and so far still small development. If the rouble does not appreciate and this trend continues, then industrial exports can make up a growing share of the Russian economy.

Read the complete interview here

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Dr. Frank Schauff is the CEO of the Association of European Businesses (AEB), representing the interests of the European economy in the Russian Federation. The membership organization was set up in 1995 at the initiative of various European companies and embassies as well as the Head of Delegation of the European Union in the Russian Federation. 

2019-02-02

The Labour Market in India: Structure and Costs

India Briefing is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates

Hiring costs in IT and auto manufacturing

Information technology (IT) and auto manufacturing are the two most prominent sectors in India’s organized economy – they receive the bulk of foreign investment and are the biggest employers. The IT sector in India accounts for 67 percent of the global outsourcing market. While the overall manufacturing sector constitutes about 17 percent of India’s economy, automotive manufacturing is the largest contributor at 22 percent of the manufacturing GDP and seven percent of India’s overall GDP.

Read the complete article here

2019-01-31

Hiring Mid-Level Managers in Vietnam

Vietnam Briefing is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates.

Investors in Vietnam are often surprised to learn that their biggest hiring challenge comes during the selection process for mid-level management. Mid-level managers in Vietnam play a crucial role in functions such as staffing, dispute resolution, and employee retention. Foreign companies are often ill-equipped to manage these challenges on their own and can find the costs of increasing turnover and labour discounting to be a significant constraint on time and resources.

Read the complete article here

2019-01-23

Electronic Imports in India, Minimum Wages in Vietnam – China Outbound

China Briefing is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates.

ASEAN BRIEFING

A weekly round up of news affecting foreign investors throughout Asia by Dezan Shira & Associates.

Import Procedures in ASEAN
The article briefly explains the import procedures in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

INDIA BRIEFING
India Mandates BIS Certification for Import of IT and Electronic Products
Importing electronics and information technology (IT) products without Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) registration is now prohibited in India.

The country is tightening quality controls for electronic products to curb the rising import of cheap electronic items, in particular from China, and boost local manufacturing under its Make in India program.

RUSSIA BRIEFING
Russia Swaps US Dollar for Chinese RMB; Holds 25 Percent of Global Reserves
Russia is making a strategic shift in its reserves towards holding fewer dollars and more assets in other currencies, especially the RMB and Euro.

On the trade aspect, this makes sense, Russian trade with the US is close to zero, while with China it has been expanding fast – there are suggestions of it hitting US$200 billion in five years – a 20 percent increase year-on-year, every year from now.

VIETNAM BRIEFING
Vietnam Hikes Minimum Wages by 5.3 Percent in 2019
Vietnam’s National Wage Council has increased the minimum wage by an average of 5.3 percent in 2019.

The hike, which is the lowest compared to previous years, will increase the minimum wage in the four regions by US$7-9 per month.

In 2018, the increase was 6.5 percent, while in 2017 the minimum wage was hiked by 7.3 percent.

2019-01-01

Contesting Penalties imposed by the immigration authorities in Russia.

Article by Marina Akeeva, Labour Practice Consultant, Brand & Partner 

The article focuses on contesting penalties imposed by immigration authorities. The article examines specific aspects of jurisdiction in disputes with immigration authorities if the company is to be held liable.

Read the complete article here

2018-12-14

Minimum Wages in China 2018-19

China Briefing is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates.
 

Minimum wages in China continue to grow. Through the first 11 months of 2018, 15 provinces, directly-controlled municipalities, and autonomous regions have increased their minimum wages: Beijing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Henan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Shandong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Sichuan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Yunnan. One more region – Chongqing – has already announced its wage increase for 2019.

Last year – a politically important one – 20 out of the 31 regions in mainland China increased their minimum wages. In 2016, only nine regions increased their wages, while 19 did so in 2015.

Read the complete article here
 

2018-10-17

Key capabilities of German firms in Nigeria

This study was done by Africon

Efforts by the German firms can be supported by strong partners – leaving all the work to these partners is however not enough.  Interestingly, factors such as adapting products to local needs, lobbying the German or Nigerian government, as well as attending Nigeria focused trade shows did not have a significant impact.

Read the complete article here