Main headlines from this issue

Korea: DAPA’s contemporary offset policy leans heavily on exports

DAPA has unveiled long-promised revisions to its offset policy guidelines. The changes are designed to boost defence exports and create new jobs. Seoul introduced the country’s offset policy in the early 1980s. The revisions change the basis on which the policy has until now been sustained. Amid the fog of DAPA’s English translation we have identified a number of important amendments in the 402-page guidelines....

South Africa: DTI admits “No local content” on massive rail contracts

A South African government official has revealed that the government omitted localisation obligations from most projects for a huge Transnet rail contract. Popo Molefe, the newly appointed chair of Transnet, told a parliamentary committee that the contracts were “unlawful and irregular” from the beginning, and called for action to be taken.

EU tells China: “Forced tech transfer has to stop”

The European Commission, which oversees trade policy in the 28-member EU, has announced that it is significantly broadening and deepening the scope of its WTO action against China. European companies should not be compelled to transfer technology to gain access to the Chinese market, said Nicolas Chapuis, ambassador of the European Union to China.

Indian Supreme Court finds no favouritism in Rafale offsets

India’s Supreme Court has found no irregularities in the procurement process for 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, and dismissed demands for an inquiry into the country’s decision to buy the planes. The deal has been subject to immense controversy in India concerning allegations of improper Indian Offset Partner choices, as well as high costs.

CONFERENCE DIARY 2019

CONFERENCE DIARY 2019 – eleven events listed