Chinese Oil Firms Bid for Repsol's Argentine unit

Chinese oil conglomerates China National Petroleum and Cnooc have offered to pay an estimated $17 billion usd for all of Repsol YPF's state in its Argentine unit called YPF.

You can read the Wall Street Journal's paraphrased article (the original costs money) at thestreet.com, by visiting this article.

Will this deal actually be completed? China South America reported on this possible deal back on July 7, 2009. You will notice, the offer at this point was only $14.5 billion for a 75% stake. China has since upped the offer and is now looking to buy the entire thing.

Why China? Are you angry over Australia rejecting your Rio bid? Are you feeling flustered that countries from the industrialized world, but also in Africa and Latin America are starting to think twice about selling the rights to their raw materials?

I don't blame them, after all, Australia is quite similar to South American commodity producing countries. Two note worthy and simple similarities include

1. A large portion of GDP is generated from commodity exports
2. The relative strength or weakness of domestic currencies such as the Ausie Dollar, Argentine Peso, Peruvian Sol and Brazilian Real, are all inherently linked to the global market price of the commodities the countries export. [ie: if the spot price for copper drops 50%, observe what happens to Peru and Chile's Peso's.
   

According to the WSJ article, the main obstacles to this deal include

• Spain is hesitant to see some of its best assets in Argentina be sold to China

• Argentina's government has no financial stake in YPF, but nonetheless under Argentine law has the right to veto decisions such as transfer of ownership. In my personal opinion, this translates into who is willing to pay more “under the table” to the Argentine government.

• China National Petroleum and Cnooc are state owned organizations. Despite their growing influence and presence in oil markets around the world, many governments still remain weary of doing business with companies officially tied to a foreign government.

China to launch iron ore trading platform - AP

China will launch its first iron ore trading platform next week in a move that may lead to setting up its own pricing index and possibly exerting more influence over import costs, an official and reports said Friday.


The Rizhao International Iron Ore Trade Center will begin providing electronic commercial services for iron ore suppliers and steelmakers on Monday, said Liu Qiang, sales manager of Shandong Huaxin Trading Co., which is heading the project.

The center, a joint venture by Shandong Huaxin and four other local companies involved in bulk commodity dealings, will handle electronic transactions, information exchange, quality inspection, storage, transport, insurance and trade settlement, Liu said.

The center will act as a clearinghouse for information on iron ore trading, Liu said.

"As it gains influence in the long-term, it may have some influence on price negotiations," he said.

Rizhao, a port in eastern China's Shandong province, is one of the country's biggest handlers of iron ore imports.

The trading platform would likely mainly serve China's numerous smaller steelmakers. They buy independently from the biggest mills and do not pay the same benchmark prices the big steelmakers agree to each year in sometimes tortuous negotiations with overseas miners like Brazil's Companhia Vale do Rio Doce SA and global miner Rio Tinto Group.

Meanwhile, the annual negotiations with overseas iron ore suppliers dragged on, according to the government-affiliated China Iron & Steel Association, which vehemently denied reports that Chinese steelmakers had settled for 30 percent to 35 percent price cuts.

"China's steel industry and those of Japan and Korea are facing severe shocks from the global financial crisis," CISA said in a statement posted on its Web site. It said the annual negotiations were continuing on a basis of "mutual interest and long-term stability."

Unlike in previous years, when Shanghai-based Baosteel Group led the talks, this year CISA is handling the negotiations. Analysts say it is seeking at least a 40 percent cut in this year's benchmark prices.

China imported 444 million tons of iron ore in 2008 - half of the volume of all imports worldwide, according to government figures. Imports in January through April surged to 188 million tons, as traders took advantage of lower prices to build up stockpiles.


Iron ore pricing has long been a point of contention between China, the world's biggest steel producer and consumer, and foreign raw materials suppliers.

Such friction intensified in recent years as surging demand due to the booming economy and speculative buying drove prices for iron ore and other commodities higher.

But a slowing in industrial production due to the global economic crisis has raised expectations that Chinese and other steelmakers may win big concessions in this round of talks after yielding to demands for double-digit increases in ore prices in previous years.

_

[Source] -- Associated Press researcher Ji Chen contributed to this report.

Weekend Newswire: Asia, Oceania

[China-Kuwait] -- Sinopec, Kuwait to Build $9 Billion Plant in China
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Kuwait Petroleum Corp. and an overseas oil producer plan to build a $9 billion refining and petrochemical plant in southern China’s Guangdong province, according to the head of China’s energy authority.


[China-Brazil] -- Vale ships record iron ore to China in Q1
Brazil's Vale, the world's largest iron ore producer, shipped 34.63 million tons of iron ore to China in the first quarter of 2009, which marks a quarterly record, the company announced on May 6.




[China] -- China’s Investment Growth May Quicken as Export Slump Eases
China’s investment growth probably accelerated as a decline in exports moderated, strengthening a fledgling recovery in the world’s third-biggest economy.


[China] -- China launches campaign to counter disasters
China needs stronger steps to promote public preparedness and early warning systems for natural disasters, experts said ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Wenchuan earthquake.


[South Korea] -- Korean lenders hit by 75% drop in profit
South Korean banks are grappling with deteriorating asset quality amid the economic downturn, which according to the country’s financial regulator led to a 75 per cent drop in combined profits in the first quarter.


[South Korea] -- SKorea to set up US$802m resources development fund
SEOUL: South Korea Sunday unveiled plans to establish an 802 million dollar fund for investment in overseas mineral mines, oil fields and gas wells.


[India] -- State Bank of India Profit Exceeds Analyst Estimates
State Bank of India reported fourth- quarter profit rose 46 percent to a record, exceeding analysts’ estimates, as lower lending rates lured borrowers and gains from trading grew more than fivefold.

Net income rose to 27.4 billion rupees ($556 million), from 18.8 billion rupees a year earlier, the nation’s largest bank said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange today. That beat the 21.7 billion rupee median estimate of five analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.


[Australia] -- Australia May Face Debt Crisis From Grants to Young Home Buyers
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s bid to ensure his housing market avoids the global property slump may push a generation of buyers into a debt crisis.

Grants of as much as A$21,000 ($16,142) to first-time buyers and the lowest interest rates in 49 years have emboldened more than 40,000 young Australians to take out home loans since October, stoking demand for properties that cost less than A$500,000.


[New Zealand] -- NZ Crown Minerals Boosts Funding for Oil, Gas Exploration
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced a renewed seismic survey program to encourage New Zealand oil and gas exploration.

As part of Budget 2009 a total of $20 million over three years will be allocated to the seismic data acquisition program run by Crown Minerals, which is responsible for the administration and promotion of New Zealand's oil and gas.

Happy May Day Asia!

A look at some news hitting the presses as those of us in the America's bring our day to a close.


Taiwan’s Warmer China Ties May Speed Recovery From Record Slump

Taiwan’s closer ties with China may help its economy recover more quickly from a record slump, boosting confidence, investment and its ability to benefit from growth in the mainland...

“Taiwan is well-positioned to benefit from the improving cross-strait ties, especially with China expected to come back robustly from this economic crisis,” said Prakash Sakpal, an economist at ING Bank NV in Singapore. “Demand from China will be a good buffer.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

China Banks Surge to World’s Biggest May Be Too Good to Be True

Just when the world is beginning to appreciate China’s biggest banks, unencumbered by Wall Street assets of no discernible value and fortified by record first- quarter lending, some analysts say it’s too good to be true.

While Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., China Construction Bank Corp. and Bank of China Ltd., three of the world’s four largest banks by market value, led an increase in lending focused on investments in railways, roads and ports, similar state-directed loans caused bad debts to snowball in the 1990s. The resulting rescue cost $650 billion and took 10 years.

“We suspect some of the banks may have compromised their risk-management and risk-aversion attitude to meet targets and government expectations,” said Wen Chunling, a Beijing-based analyst at Fitch Ratings. “That will lead to a rebound in non- performing loans in the next few years.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Asia Seeks Reserve Pool Completion Amid Growth Recovery Signs

Southeast Asian finance ministers and their counterparts from Japan, China and South Korea may complete discussions on a currency pool agreement this weekend amid signs the worst of the region’s economic crisis may be over.

Officials from 13 countries are gathering in Bali on May 3 to finalize each nation’s contribution to the $120 billion pool of foreign-exchange reserves that can be used to defend their currencies in times of financial turmoil. They will meet at the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank’s annual meeting on the Indonesian resort island.

“As recent as a few months ago, there were expectations that at least one country will need to tap the reserve pool for funds before this crisis is over,” said Vishnu Varathan, a regional economist at Forecast Singapore Pte. “With signs that the slowdown is easing and of stability in the financial arena, that seems unlikely now.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Australia - Swan warns revenue write-off may be one of biggest

AUSTRALIA will register a revenue write-down in the Federal Budget of more than $115 billion due to the global financial crisis, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

"Certainly, there's been a revenue write-down because of the global recession between the last Budget and February of about $115 billion,'' Mr Swan told reporters in Sydney.

Because of slowing growth, the global recession had become worse and there would be further revenue write-downs in next month's Budget, he said.

OZ agrees to sell to Minerals - Reuters Video

Apr 1 - China's state owned Minerals agrees to pay $1.21 billion for most of Australian miner OZ Minerals' assets on Wednesday.

Australian miner OZ Minerals sells most of its assets to Chinese firm Minerals for 1.21 billion dollars as the world's No.3 economy continues its commodities acquisition overseas.

Kitty Bu of Reuters reports

China's Minmetals makes a new offer for Australian miner OZ Minerals -- Reuters Video

Mar 31 - China's state-owned Minmetals made new offer for Australian miner OZ Minerals, as the world's No.3 economy continues its push for resource acquisitions.

China makes a new offer for Australian miner OZ Minerals excludes Prominent Hill while OZ hopes to seal debt extension by early Wednesday.

Kitty Bu of Reuters reports

Marc Faber says he grows "good stuff," which makes you very happy ... HAHA

One of my favorite investment guru's, made a appearance on Asia Confidential, hosted by one of my favorite live commentator's from Bloomberg's Asia Crew, Bernie Lo.

Basically echoing a long term trend, described by other investors around the world. Faber explains in a casual manner how power is slowly shifts towards those who produce actual consumables like food, versus derivatives traders.

Marc Faber asked about investing in farmland said that they have a farmland in New Zealand and there they don't grow hashish but in northern Thailand "they" (people?) grow good stuff.

Australia Chile free trade agreement becomes effective

The Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement came into force on Saturday 6 March, the first trade agreement between Oceania and a Latin American country. Besides trade the agreement covers services, investments, government purchases and intellectual property plus a special chapter on academic and scientific cooperation.

(MecroPress Article)

Asian stocks advance as Japan and Australia widen efforts to combat recession

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks rose for the first time in three days, led by bank and technology shares, as Japan and Australia widened efforts to revive economic growth and memory- chip prices surged.

Click here to access the full article

News line: commodities in focus

China looks to African metals and minerals for the long term -- Mineweb
Chinese investment is replacing that from the West in many key sectors, especially with regard to metals. Minerals and energy and Chinese businesses are prepared to take the long term view.

Sharp decrease in copper, moly prices result in 4Q08 loss for Southern Copper -- Mineweb
A sharp decline in metals prices and a tough economy has prompted Arizona's Southern Copper Corporation to put all capital expenditures on hold for this year

January gold jewellery sales off 70% in Abu Dhabi -- Mineweb
Sales of gold jewelery in Abu Dhabi have fallen some 70 percent in January compared with a year ago as high prices, coupled with the global economic situation, have combined to keep buyers away.

Copper falls to one-week low on signs global slump is deepening -- Bloomberg
Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Copper fell to the lowest price in more than a week on signs the global economic slump is deepening, reviving concern that metal demand will decline further.

Corn, Soybeans decline as deepening recession cuts global use -- Bloomberg
Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Corn and soybeans fell to the lowest prices in more than two weeks on speculation that the deepening global recession will reduce demand for U.S. crops used in making food, animal feed and alternative fuel.

Peru mining unions call for nationwide strike -- Mining Journal Online
Peru's largest federation of mining unions said over the weekend it has agreed to call a nationwide strike starting on March 15, to protest mounting job cuts and to pressure Congress to lift caps on profit sharing.

Brazil's 8th Oil auction suspended until petroleum laws change -- Dow Jones New Wires via Rigzone
No decision will be made on restarting Brazil's suspended eighth-round oil and natural gas concession auction until likely changes are made to the country's petroleum laws, Brazil's National Energy Policy Board said Monday.

Horizon Oil, partners to deliver China oil project Development Plan in May - Dow Jones New Wires via Rigzone
Australia's Horizon Oil Ltd. said Monday that partners in an oil project in the South China Sea will submit a revised development plan to China National Offshore Oil Corp. in May.

Oilex joins ranks of international oil producers with Cambay start-up -- Oilex Ltd via Rigzone
Australian-based oil & gas group Oilex has formally marked its transition to cash flow and production by delivering a strong December Quarter performance by starting up oil production from its Cambay Oil Field in October in India with 16,800 barrels of oil produced during the December 2008 quarter from two wells.

Japan discovers new source of mineral wealth -- Reuters via Mineweb
Resource-poor Japan just discovered a new source of mineral wealth -- sewage. The country's sewage yields more gold than top mines.

News reel: Economic Meltdown p3 – Commodities

Click on article titles to access the full copy from parents websites


Gold Little Changed in Asia as Dollar Steady Before ECB Meeting – Bloomberg LP - Jan 15, 2009

Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Gold traded little changed in Asia as the dollar steadied before a European Central Bank meeting where interest rates are widely expected to be cut by at least half a percentage point. Platinum declined.


Resources downturn trips up contractors – The Australian – Jan 16, 2009

MINING companies slashing costs and cutting production as they struggle to cope with the global financial crisis is driving down revenue in Australia's engineering, contracting and services sectors.

Although analysts believe that the diminished income and the prospect of further contract cancellations are already being incorporated into share prices, they said the full impact had not yet been incorporated.


Metal meltdown rocks global miner Rio Tinto – The Australian – Jan 16, 2009

RIO Tinto continues to be battered by the global slowdown, with fourth-quarter iron ore sales falling 31 per cent.

Slumping metal prices are set to wipe more than $US500 million ($758 million) from the miner's bottom line and more aluminium production cuts have been flagged.


Under new management, miner ready to tackle debt – The Australian – Jan 16, 2009

RIO Tinto's board has shown it is serious about its turnaround by dumping chairman Paul Skinner 11 months ahead of plan. And yesterday's 18 per cent fall in iron ore production underlined the magnitude of the cutbacks ahead.

Rio's fourth-quarter production report is, of course, just a warm-up to the real event on February 12, when its half-year profits are released.


Oil Falls Below $34 After OPEC Reduces 2009 Demand Forecast – Bloomberg – Jan 15, 2009

Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil fell below $34 a barrel after OPEC said that demand for its crude will decline 4.2 percent this year as the recession in the U.S., Europe and Japan curbs fuel use.


Natural Gas Falls After U.S. Supplies Drop Less Than Forecast – Bloomberg – Jan 15, 2009

Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Natural gas fell to the lowest in more than two years in New York as government reports today on gas stockpiles, producer prices and manufacturing pointed to slower demand as the U.S. recession deepens.

Stockpiles declined 94 billion cubic feet last week, less than the 102 billion analysts expected, an Energy Department report showed. Prices paid to producers in the U.S. dropped for the fifth straight month and manufacturing in the New York and Philadelphia areas shrank. Slowing demand from factories and power plants has helped send gas down 15 percent this month.


Copper Prices Drop for Second Day in N.Y. as Stockpiles Rise – Bloomberg – Jan 15, 2009

Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Copper futures fell for a second straight day as climbing inventories signaled global output of the metal is exceeding demand.

Stockpiles monitored by the London Metal Exchange climbed 1.4 percent to 387,325 metric tons today and have jumped 14 percent this month after surging 72 percent last year. Before today, copper prices plunged 65 percent from a record in May as slumping global growth slashed demand for the metal used in pipes and wires.


Soybeans Prices Jump on Adverse Weather in Argentina, Brazil – Bloomberg – Jan 15, 2009

Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Soybeans prices jumped on signs that demand for U.S. supplies will increase as adverse weather damages crops in Argentina, the world’s biggest exporter of vegetable oil and animal feed made from the oilseed.


Australia Expects ‘Significant’ Drop in Coal, Iron Ore Prices – Bloomberg – Jan 15, 2009

Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Export prices for coal and iron ore from Australia, the world’s biggest shipper of the raw materials, may drop significantly this year as slowing industrial growth curbs demand, the nation’s central bank said.

News Line: Is Singapore venerable to a "wall-street like crisis?" & Asian Stocks extend gains in Monday Trading

1) Finance minister Tharman says Singapore's financial institutions stable

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s financial institutions are well capitalised and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), says Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

He was speaking to reporters on Sunday at a community event where he joined Muslims to break fast.

Mr Tharman said: "We are glad that overall, if you look at what is happening in Singapore compared to other financial centres, confidence in the market has been retained."

But Mr Tharman said a technical recession — defined by two consecutive quarters of economic contraction — is possible in Singapore.

Nonetheless, he cautioned that it is important for Singapore not to have any knee—jerk reactions, and to continue to monitor the global financial situation closely before announcing any plans.

Singapore’s non—oil domestic exports in August fell 13.8 per cent from the same month in 2007, the largest drop in the last year.

And with the current financial crisis, economists expect this figure to fall even further as global demand slows...

Click here to access the full article from Yahoo Finance - Singapore (News Asia)

2) Asia's stocks extend gains on proposed US bailout

HONG KONG (AP) -- Asian markets rose Monday after the U.S. government proposed a US$700 billion plan to solve the world financial crisis by rescuing banks from billions of dollars in risky mortgage debt.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index climbed 1.4 percent to close at 12,090.59 points , while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 1.2 percent.

In China, the Shanghai Composite Index soared 7.8 percent on hopes of a turnaround after government steps to stabilize the country's beaten down shares.

Markets in Australia and Taiwan advanced strongly after regulators in both countries issued curbs on short selling, following similar moves in the U.S, Britain and other countries. The practice, which bets on a stock's decline, has been partly blamed for driving down share prices.

Global markets had rallied Friday on news Washington was likely to announce a bailout plan, calming investors worried that losses from bad bets on mortgages could bring about the collapse of more companies, straining an already weakened financial system and global economy...

Click here to access the full article from Yahoo Finance - Singapore (AP)

News Line: Peru

1) Peru, Singapore to become hubs of Asia Pacific Regions, says Giampietri

Lima, Sep. 11 (ANDINA).- Peru and Singapore, considered an important economy in Asia, are about to become the most important hubs in the Asia Pacific Region, which will allow foreign investments access to this region and vice versa, noted the President of the Extraordinary High Level Commission APEC 2008 (CEAN) Luis Giampietri, who said both countries are in a privileged geographical position and have a perfect port and airport infrastructure to facilitate businesses.....

Luis Giampietri - Vice President of the Republic of Peru

Click here to access the full article from Andina

2) ChinaTel Group to bis for wireless 2.5gHz spectrum licenses in Peru
Lima, Sep. 14 (ANDINA).- ChinaTel Group, a business entity seeking to acquire and operate WiMAX networks in key markets throughout the world, plans to participate in an upcoming auction to bid for wireless 2.5GHz spectrum licensing for Peru... Click here to access the full article from Andina.

3) Canadian and Australian investors explore business opportunities in Amazonas, Peru Amazonas, Sep. 14 (ANDINA).- A group of business people from Canada and Australia has visited the Peruvian department of Amazonas to explore various investment opportunities and tour the several local tourist attractions....

Canadian ambassador Geneviéve des Riviéres and the Australian consul were pleased by the warm welcome they have received from local residents and businesses.

The delegation flew over the Pongo de Manseriche, located in the Condorcanqui province, to observe the potential of this watershed as well as appreciated the magnificent Gocta Waterfall, the third highest in the world.

They also visited on Sunday the Kuélap Fortress, which is the most extensive monument of the Peruvian ancestral past.....

Click here to access the full article from Andina

4) Analysts predict British Direct Investment in Peru likely to surpass 2007 record of $2.9 billion

Lima, Sep. 14 (ANDINA).- British direct investment in Peru would increase this year, surpassing 2007's record $2.9 billion, the third largest foreign investment in the country last year, said the British Ambassador to Peru, Catherine Nettleton.......

"In December last year, the major foreign investors in Peru were Spain with 3.7 billion dollars (23.25 pct), the United States with 2.9 billion (18.54 pct) and the United Kingdom with 2,9 million (18.14 pct)", she detailed......

Among British companies operating in Peru are HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Royal of Scotland, SAB Miller, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, Monterrico Metals, BHP Billiton, Xtrata, Minera IRL and Menzies Aviation.

Other companies are Orient Express, Emissions Trading, Icecap, Ecosecurities, Unilever, British American Tobacco, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Willis Insurance, PWS, Jardine Lloyd Thompson, WPP, Cadbury Schweppes, CSM Logistics, Gold Oil, Pan Andean Resources and Shell......

Click here to access the full article from Andina

5) Korea interested to explore possible investments in development related projects

Bagua Grande, Sep. 14 (ANDINA).- The director of Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) in Peru, Woo Chae-Suk will visit this Tuesday the northern city of Bagua Grande in the Utcubamba province (Amazonas) to assess and explore a variety of business opportunities in the area.

"Koica volunteer program coordinator, Kweon Ok Hee, will accompany Chae Suk on his visit in which they will get to know the economic, social, educational, agricultural, health and environmental situation of local residents," Amazonas municipal representative Edwin Hidalgo Ocampo announced today.

Click here to access the full article from Andina

Chile-Australia Sign Free Trade Agreement

Chile is once again paving the "Free Trade Agreement" road in South America, cementing yet another strategic Free Trade Agreement with Australia.

Chile and more recently Peru, are beginning to realize their positions along the Pacific Coast of South America is growing into a geographic blessing with the rise of Asia. Australia, which is both a very important economy in the Pacific region of Asia is also similar to Chile on many levels. Both have vibrant commodity sectors, and both are increasingly more involved with the Asian economies.

Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley explained, “We are going to sign a Free Trade Agreement with a country that is very similar to ours because the message is that we don’t really want to compete, but would rather like to join forces.”

“The reason is obvious; we are both looking towards the Asian-Pacific region. We have free trade agreements with all of the Asian countries and we don’t have the capacity to provide on our own the supply levels of this expanding market” he added.

All in all a good decision for both parties whom hope trade cooperation will place the two nations in better positions to compete with Asia in areas outside of commodities.

Click here to access a more detailed article on this topic from MercoPress


Chile's other trade agreements within the Pacific region include (I might miss a couple and if so by all means let me know):

--- Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership: Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei

--- Bilateral agreements between Chile and the countries of: Canada, El Salvador, Cosa Rica, South Korea, the People's Republic of China, Panama, Japan, Mexico, the United States and New Zealand.

--- FTA's are also under negotiation (or unratified as of now) with the countries of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras (unratified), Peru (unratified) and Colombia (unratified).

--- Looking down the line Chile has plans to begin negociations with India and Thailand, two more major economies in the Pacific.