Asia and M&A

Lotte Group announced that it was acquiring Guylian, a Belgium chocolate maker. Interesting deal and on the face of it could be a good one. Go here for more details.

In China, the largest privately owned steel company is in talks in Brazil to buy an iron ore mine.

``The Chinese steelmakers are aiming for a stable and safe supply of iron ore through taking stakes in mining companies,'' said Helen Lau, a Shanghai-based analyst at Daiwa Securities Group Inc. ``Brazilian mines are an option.''

And for knowledge based economies, increasingly foreign investment is tied to the quality of life. To see where Seoul ranks, go here. And for the top 50, see this list.