Global law firm helps investors understand new business settings

BEIJING - Bureaucratic, environmental and other issues mean the early bird may not necessarily catch the worm when it comes to companies investing overseas, a partner at one of the world's largest law firms says.

The key to overcoming these problems, says Eduardo C. Leite, chairman of executive committee of Baker & McKenzie, is for companies to understand the complexity of the local regulatory framework and culture.

Partners at the law firm told China Daily that many international investors have trouble obtaining local licenses, understanding tax structures, and handling labor and intellectual property issues.