Outward direct investment guide published

China unveiled the 2013 Outward Foreign Direct Investment Guide on Thursday, providing information on rapidly increasing investments abroad.

The annual guide, compiled by the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce, and economic and commercial counselors' offices at Chinese embassies, was launched in 2009.

The 2013 edition contains legal information regarding antitrust issues, a safety review of mergers and acquisitions in host countries and regions, regulations on mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure development plans, and anti-commercial bribery laws in host countries and regions.

It also carries updated information on political situations, economic data, business environments and social stability.

Huo Jianguo, president of the academy, said the guide covers the 165 countries and regions that hosted 96.3 percent of China's outward direct investment in 2012.

From January to November, the nation's outward direct investment rose by 28.3 percent year-on-year to $80.2 billion, topping the $77.2 billion for all of last year, the ministry said.

The growth pace was faster than expected, Huo said, noting the uncertainties in economic growth at home and abroad. He added that China's investment in Europe will quicken.

As the government streamlines outward investment procedures and shifts approvals toward a management system of supervision and services, Huo said regulations should remain or even be improved in some sensitive industries and regions as government supervision had yet to be well established.

Ge Min, a deputy director at the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, said private enterprises, accounting for half of China's investors abroad, will speed up their overseas spending.

Yang Donghui, a deputy director at the Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Commission, said local officials' knowledge, especially regarding legal issues, has fallen significantly behind demands from enterprises.

Professional reports, including those on mining, agriculture or mergers and acquisitions, should be better developed, Yang said.