19/01/2017 Asia Business Report

Now on BBC News all the latest business news live from Singapore.

As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take the helm we find

out what businesses in Asia are expecting. From the air to do some

fun empire is granted a -- the edge of the Samsung empire is granted a

reprieve for his role in the countries of scandal. Good morning

and welcome to Asia Business Report live from Singapore. With just two

days left until Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of

the United States and dad deeply divisive figure means that many are

now looking at his cabinet picks resident bodies policies will be.

Earlier a billionaire investor said their top priority is to re-

negotiate another the trade deal with Canada and Mexico. The

President-elect has made no secret in his public remarks, nor have I in

earlier remarks during the campaign that NAFTA is logically the first

thing for us to deal with. We are to solidify relationships in the best

way we can in our own Territorian or four we go off to other

jurisdictions. So I think that should be, and hopefully will be if

I am confirmed, a very early topic in this administration. That for

many business leaders that a presidency heralds a new era of

uncertainty. And despite him being the author of the art of the deal

many believe that the global mergers may be harder to come by. Earlier I

spoke to a representative of Price Waterhouse Cooper. We have a few

years of very good singing, liquidity in the market and

political in a comic -- economic certainty. Now we are seeing some

political change. Brexit and indeed as we go into a new president period

there is a degree of uncertainty. Having said that, the Trump policy

as stated so far appear to be friendly to deals. The regulation,

tax reduction and stimulus and investment in energy and

infrastructure and other areas. But in speaking to investors that we

expect there to be hesitancy and pause. I think there is a great

belief, and we have that as well, it in the US. It will be a pause rather

than an impact and we will see a big return to buoyancy and investment

levels. We have heard from some businesses voicing concerns but

could this be an opportunity for some Asian countries? No doubt.

Certainly by reference to investment in areas where we expect stimulus

from the UK or the US economy. And then if you look to where the money

may flow, this is where the investment in Asia will come

through. In India, Japan, Singapore, over the last six weeks you feel a

audience in terms of opportunity there. For different reasons- stable

politics in India, an aggressive look at portfolios in Japan and an

opportunity for private equity across the region to get more

involved. We think we will see an uptake in investment across the

Asian region, probably with one caution- outbound investment from

China may slow but otherwise it is very positive about the Asian

market. Staying with the United States Janet Yellin says that the US

economy is healthy enough for the central bank to raise its benchmark

interest rates a quote, a few times a year through 2019. During a speech

on Wednesday she said the exact timing of interest rate hikes will

depend on how the economy is doing. She said that policymakers are

getting closer to their goals of full employment and stable

inflation. The head of the International Monetary Fund said

that despite the UK economy doing better than expected after last

year's decision to leave the European Union it will still suffer

from the split. Her comments come after the Prime Minister Theresa May

laid out her negotiating terms with the EU. In her comments, the IMF

said that any deal with the EU will not be as good as membership. When

you belong to a club, whatever that club is beat sport or intellectual

or whatever, the members of the club have a degree of affinity and terms

under which they operate. Somebody outside the club, sport or

intellectual or whatever, have different access. Meanwhile the

Foreign Secretary Boris Jenson is warning the European Union not to

punish Britain for its decision to leave the economic bloc. He made the

controversial comment while on a trip to India. If Mr alarmed that

wants to issue punishment beatings to anyone who chooses to escape in

the manner of some World War Two movie is and I think, I do not think

that is the way forward. It is not actually in the interest of our

friends and our partners. A South Korean court has rejected an arrest

warrant for Jay Y Lee. Prosecutors have accused him of bribery,

embezzlement and perjury in connection to a scandal which led to

the impeachment of the country's president. Samsun has denied any

wrongdoing. Earlier I asked if people were surprised by the

verdict. The public had been divided about what might happen. For most

part I think there would be enormous relief from the part of Samsun. The

last 24 hours have been one of the longest days for Jay Y Lee. At the

city jail the head of South Korea's biggest company was asked to wait

throughout the night until the court came to a decision about his arrest.

Early in the morning the judge said there was a lack in justification to

put Mr leave behind bars and ordered his release. Just before day lay he

was seen walking out of jail was a slight smile. -- just before

daybreak. Lacking justification. Could that be because of the

possible impact on Samsun's reputation and performance which, of

course, plays a huge part in the economy of South Korea? This may not

be the end of problems for the chief of Samsun. The company has been

accused of bribery and he may still need to face a trial if prosecutors

decide to press charges. The allegation is that Samsun gave

millions of dollars in return for the votes of the national pension

fund in a big and contested restructuring of the company. In the

meantime, Mr these days as a free man. So can prosecutors continue

pursuing him? Samsung has continuously denied the bribery

charges and the position is that contributions have been made but was

not in order to receive favours. Bribery is not an easy crime to

prove under Korean law. Neither is putting rich family members of

conglomerates into jail for wrongdoing. Despite criminal charges

and convictions, no family member of Samsun has ever served jail term. --

Samsun. Shares opened higher than 2% in May continue to trade strongly.

Shares in Netflix jumped over 8% in US training -- trading it to make

meeting a new high. The media streaming service has been producing

more original shows and focusing on expanding globally. That is held

Netflix sign up a record 7 million new subscribers. The majority of

them from outside the United States. Goldman Sachs still has the golden

touch. The investment bank saw profits triple in the fourth

quarter. Its trading activity got a major boost after Trump's election

spurred a stock market rally. Manchester United has overtaken

reality that to become the richest football team in Europe. The last

time they held the title was over a decade ago. According to a

consultancy in Manchester United raked in over $700 million last

season. Now here is a story for all of you train fans. After over two

weeks crossing two continents the first-ever for a train travelling

direct from China to the UK has arrived in London. It is part of

China's drive to develop trade and investment ties with Europe. London

is the 15th European city to join what the Chinese government referred

to as the new silk Route. Lets show you the pictures of the

train pulling into the station just outside London. The train trip takes

about half the time of a sea journey.

You are watching BBC News. The headlines for you this our-at his

final news conference President Obama said he will continue to speak

out to defend what he called core values are after he leaves