Due diligence for Chinese Overseas Investment: Inogen Worldview Conference

Directors, Alex Ferguson and Damian Robinson, made the trip to China for the 23rd conference hosted by Inogen Associate, ESD China.

In 2014, Chinese outward direct investment (ODI) entered a new stage, with more Chinese companies investing in more industries in more countries. According to the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, non-financial ODI in 2014 reached US$102.9 billion, an annual increase of 14.1 percent*. China is increasingly seeking to invest in advanced, innovative countries with the UK ranking as third globally out of 144 countries, according to the Pinsent Masons and Cebr Infrastructure Investment Attractiveness Index**. Chinese investment is happening in a range of new sectors including real estate, construction, infrastructure, high technology, agribusiness and manufacturing.

As such, stakeholders are seeking to better understand the environmental and social risks faced by Chinese investors. By learning from and avoiding the mistakes of other countries, China can better manage the investment risks associated with environmental and social issues, whilst simultaneously becoming a leader in integrating sustainability into overseas investments.

Alex Ferguson presented an overview of brownfield redevelopment in the UK to the conference, stating "The UK has a mature real estate market with a cycle of development of land. Due diligence is required at each stage to consider environment and sustainability, ensuring that investment value is protected".

In addition, Inogen Associates from across the globe presented on the specific opportunities for investment in the USA, Brazil, Western Europe, Australasia and Africa, as well as China and the wider Asian economy. This demonstrates the Inogen Alliance's ability to deliver global services in the EHS and sustainability sectors.

Delta-Simons is an associate of Inogen, a global corporation providing multinational organisations with environmental, health and safety solutions. The Inogen business model provides a single point of contact for all environmental health and safety and sustainability services through the employ of 4,300 resources within a global network of consultants.

Sources

*KPMG: China Outlook 2015

**Pinsent Masons: China Invests West