2023.06.05 ISM Roundup

Written by
Catherine Heiger
June 5, 2023

Dutch government introduces Investment Screening Mechanism for Sensitive Tech

Reuters, CSIS 

Beginning June 1, the Netherlands’ investment screening mechanism will allow the Investment Review Office to block investment in the sensitive technology sector due to national security concerns. Dutch firms will also now have access to a portal where they can learn what foreign firms will be permitted to do business with and where sensitive technology be legally exported. The new law will require investors to report to the IRO plans to purchase infrastructure, real estate, or technology, with a standstill timeframe of eight weeks to six months. The enactment of the screen comes ahead of additional Dutch export restrictions on semiconductors.

Belgium to Enforce New ISM July 1

Covington Competition, 2023.06.05 ISM News Roundup

The new ISM regulations drafted in June 2022 will take effect July 1, 2023. The regime is expected to cover direct and indirect acquisitions in critical infrastructure, technologies and raw materials, critical inputs, sensitive information, media pluralism, and freedom, energy, and defense. The inter-agency review body plans to require prior notification and approvals of transactions.  

AI Translation Tech Unbabel Acquires Israel-Based Bablic

FinSMES, The Jerusalem Post

Unababel, a leading AI-based language operation platform, has acquired Tel Aviv-based cloud-enabled solution for website localization and translation management, Bablic. Headquartered in Lisbon and San Francisco, Unbabel combines advanced artificial intelligence with humans for translations that improve time. The company serves brands such as Booking.com, Nestle, Panasonic, Patagonia, and UPS, to communicate with customers around the world, no matter what language they speak, and allow them to grow into new global markets.