Other Briefings
China-ASEAN Cost of Business Comparisons – Executive Summary
Our nine part series on the cost of doing business in ASEAN compared with China details cost of labor and taxes, together with bilateral trade profiles between China and ASEAN countries.
ASEAN’s 2015 AEC Compliance Deadline – What It Actually Means
Chris Devonshire-Ellis explains what the much publicized “AEC Deadline” which is due at 31st December 2015 really means for your business in ASEAN.
The European Free Trade Association and Malaysia begin Fourth Round of Trade Negotiations
In April, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) held its fourth round of trade negotiations with Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. The EFTA is made up of four countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
The Cost of Business in Malaysia Compared With China
The fourth part in our comprehensive look at how doing business in ASEAN compares with China, this time focusing on Malaysia.
Malaysia GST: Implications for Manufacturers
Malaysia has introduced a new Goods and Services Tax of six percent. However, the country’s Customs Department has said that confusion over the new tax will last six months to a year. Consumer concerns regarding the GST have been over price increases, whereas businesses concerns have focused on compliance costs and its effect on competitiveness.
Malaysia GST Implementation on April 1, 2015
The Malaysian government is preparing to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on April 1, 2015.
Indonesia-Malaysia Financial Agreement a Model for Bilateralism
Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) banking supervision commissioner Nelson Tampubolon has said a recent agreement with Malaysia, which eases Malaysian restrictions on Indonesian banks, is a model for future bilateral agreements. He intends to use the agreement as a basis for planned negotiations with Singapore.
Key Industries for Investment in ASEAN
As ASEAN continues its transition to greater economic integration with the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, the region is seeing strong growth in a number of industries. Among the key business areas are electronics, information and communications technology, textiles and apparel, and medical devices.
Asia Heavyweights Show Interest in Singapore-Malaysia High Speed Rail Link
Japan, China, and South Korea have all shown interest over the last month in bidding for the proposed Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail link. The project was originally announced in September 2010 and if completed will connect Singapore and Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur. Official agreement between the two countries was made in February 2013 to complete the project with the target date of 2020.
Malaysia Sees Improvement in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Rankings
In its new report, entitled “Doing Business 2015: Going Beyond Efficiency”, the World Bank has found that Malaysia ranks first out of the emerging economies in East Asia and ranks fourth out of all the countries in Asia.
