China

Italy Blocks Technology Transfer to China

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has stopped a software and technology transfer deal to China that was meant to be part of a Chinese company’s acquisition of an Italian technology firm, according to a Shanghai filing and a source close to the matter.

China-baed industrial robot maker EFORT Intelligent Equipment earlier this year announced a deal to raise its stake in Italian company ROBOX from 40% to 49%. ROBOX designs and makes electronic components for robotics and motion control systems.

The €2 million investment was meant to give EFORT access to some of ROBOX’s source codes, but Draghi’s government has blocked ROBOX from transferring the tech to China, the source said, although it raised no objections to the greater equity stake.

 

ALSO IN AF: Italy Annuls Sale of Drone Company to Chinese Investors

 

Italy uses its anti-takeover legislation, or so-called golden powers, to ward off undesired bids in industries deemed of strategic importance such as banking, energy, telecoms and health.

With ROBOX, Rome has used this power seven time since it was introduced in 2012, six of which targeted Chinese companies, while five were under Draghi’s government.

However, Draghi’s approach has triggered legal challenges from both foreign acquirers and their Italian targets.

The notification requirements have also increased red tape for firms, which are filing information on mergers and deals even when it would not be necessary, officials said, to avoid the risk of fines.

Last year there were almost 500 such notifications, up from 342 in 2020 and just 83 in 2019.

  • Reuters, with editing by Neal McGrath

 

 

 

See also:

Italy Blocks Chinese Company from Taking Over Chip Firm

Italian Court Upholds Veto on Chinese Purchase of Seed Producer

EU plans to take on US and China for semiconductor supremacy 

 

Neal McGrath

Neal McGrath is a New York-based financial journalist. Neal started his career covering the Asia-Pacific region for the Economist Intelligence Unit, then joined Asian Business magazine. He's subsequently held a variety of editorial positions covering business, economics, finance and sustainability. Neal has lived and worked in Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany and the US.

Recent Posts

Nikkei Extends Record Run, Hang Seng Dips on China Recovery

Tokyo’s benchmark closed at its highest level since July 1990 but China’s bourses stumbled over…

54 seconds ago

SEC Case Against Binance And Zhao Seen as Big Blow to Crypto

US regulator files 13 charges against Binance and its CEO Changpeng Zhao in what looks…

4 mins ago

China Quants Banking on AI to Gain Hedge Funds Edge

One hedge fund already uses ChatGPT to project earnings power, and identify investment opportunities and…

18 hours ago

Global Economy Showing Signs of De-Dollarisation, Says JPMorgan

"De-dollarisation is evident in FX reserves where [the dollar's] share has declined to a record…

20 hours ago

China Services Activity Speeds Up as Demand Recovers: Caixin

The survey saw firms reporting a rise in new business in May as China's Covid…

22 hours ago

Binance Controlled Bank Accounts of ‘Independent’ US Crypto Arm

New findings show how CEO Changpeng Zhao secretly retained control over Binance's US arm and…

22 hours ago