Myanmar Attracts International Investment
By Joshua Gill Jun. 25 – Following U.S. President Barack Obama’s May 17 announcement that the United States would ease its sanctions against Myanmar, some American firms have begun to make efforts to expand into this newly available market. In his speech, President Obama declared that the suspension of the bans on the exportation of […]
India-Myanmar Sign Key Trade and Development Deals
Infrastructure includes road linking India to Thailand May 29 – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in Myanmar meeting with President Thein Sein this week, has agreed on a number of key investment and development projects with the country. It has been the first visit to Myanmar by an Indian PM in 25 years. Among the […]
Australia, Malaysia Sign Free Trade Agreement
97 percent of traded goods to be rated at zero tariffs with immediate effect May 23 – Australia and Malaysia signed a free trade agreement yesterday that brings about a considerable easing of tariffs and trade between the two countries. The Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) was signed off by the respective trade ministers of […]
Why ASEAN Matters For Your China Business
The 2015 Free Trade Agreement will soon kick in. Is your China business ready? Op-Ed Commentary: Chris Devonshire-Ellis May 22 – The term “ASEAN” is cropping up more often these days, yet still many businesses in China are unaware of what it is and why it is gaining in importance. The basic answer is fairly […]
ASEAN and China to Become Top Trade Partners by 2015
Apr. 20 – When taken together as a group, the combined members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will become China’s top trading partners by 2015, according to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Made up of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, ASEAN […]
China Signs Bilateral Agreements with Ireland and Indonesia
By Xiaolei Gu Apr. 3 – China and Ireland announced a mutually beneficial strategic partnership during Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s visit to Beijing last week, while the two sides also signed a number of agreements to promote cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology.
Myanmar Set to Open Up to Foreign Investment
Mar. 28 – The Myanmar government is introducing a new set of regulations expected to promote foreign direct investment into the country. Coupled with the lifting of U.S. sanctions on the existing regime, this move may well spell the beginning of a new chapter in the nation’s development. Long a pariah state and run until […]
Singapore and United Kingdom Ink DTA Protocol
Mar. 6 – The UK and Singapore have signed a second protocol to their existing Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) on February 15, 2012, amending withholding tax rates. According to the protocol, the withholding tax rate for dividends is set at 0 percent, except for real estate investment trusts, which will be taxed at 15 percent. […]
China, ASEAN Negotiating Trade in RMB
Oct. 25 – China is negotiating with ASEAN countries over settling trade in Chinese renminbi (RMB), Assistant to the Governor of the People’s Bank of China Jin Qi told reporters Saturday in Nanning during the third China-ASEAN Summit Forum on Financial Cooperation and Development. “It (the agreement) is currently underway, but the exact time for […]
Vietnam Exempts Import Tax Under Australia, ASEAN, New Zealand Treaty
Jul. 1 – Vietnam will exempt as much as 90 percent of tax lines on goods imported from Australia, New Zealand and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members this year. By 2017, Vietnam will remove import tariffs on butter, milk and cheese. Import duties on car components will also be slashed to 5 percent […]