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Matthew Bromberg,

On October 3, ICBC became the first Asian bank to issue USD-denominated Basel III-compliant Tier 2 notes, establishing a pricing benchmark for future issuances from Asian banks

Oene Marseille Emir Nurmansyah The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has recently issued the second amendment to Rule 7 of 2012 regarding Increasing Mineral Resources Value Through Processing and Refining (Rule 7), in the form of Rule 20 of 2013 (the second amendment). The second amendment effectively put a date on the ban, which is now set at January 12 2014. Previously, the export ban, which was set at May 2013, was lifted through the first amendment to Rule 7, with the condition of obtaining several requirements including the recommendation of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. The second amendment added another requirement to the list: the recommendation for the Ministry of Trade, or an appointed government official in accordance with the prevailing regulations.

Alternative credit providers are facing a laundry list of new restrictions to ensure they aren’t the root of the next crisis. This month’s three-part cover story looks at the key issues in the global shadow banking debate

In April 2013, the Act Governing Private Sector Participation in or Operation of State Activities (2013) was published. The Act supersedes the 1992 version, which presented several issues for parties wishing to enter joint investment contracts with state-owned enterprises. These issues include an unclear and overlapping authority of several government regulators, with the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) refusing to play a significant role, and substantial delays and increased costs in project approval, with no clear definition of what constitutes a state-owned enterprise. In addition, the old Act does not provide for contract renewals or amendments, or the scope of discretion for project approval.

Carlos Fradique Me´ndez Laura Villaveces Hollmann Colombia has made great stride towards contributing to the development of its markets. In particular, construction has experienced a boom in the past months as the sector grew about 16.9% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to 2012, residential buildings increased 14.7% and non-residential 21.8%. Maintenance and repair also grew 2.7% and construction licences 31.5%. All of which creates an interesting scenario, further supported by new regulations providing for useful real property investment models that are attractive to both foreign and national investors. Real-estate funds in Colombia were created rather late compared to international standards, and were only allowed since 2007. Yet the impact was not that great because of the regulatory restrictions that hindered their development.

Shuanghui’s acquisition of Smithfield was the largest Chinese takeover of a US company to-date. Here’s why it signals that the US is open to Chinese investment

The lighter side of the past month in the world of financial law

For a long time the Act on Investment Aid in the Slovak Republic has regulated investment aid provided by the state budget to domestic and foreign entrepreneurs and investors. Investment aid may be provided in the following forms: financial grants from the state budget; income tax relief; grants for newly established employment positions or transfer of state property to the entrepreneur for a price lower than the given market price. Entrepreneurs can obtain investment aid in some of the listed forms for a project in one of the supported areas. The supported areas are: industrial production; technological centres; and, centres of strategic services and tourism. Providing investment aid for these areas was changed by extensive amendments to the Act on Investment Aid in force since May 1 2013.

Anne Tolila,