Investment Protection in ASEAN – Part 1: The ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement
For companies seeking to expand operations in South East Asia, the region’s rising stature in manufacturing, ICT, and other areas of production remains tempered by regulatory uncertainty. To help investors mitigate their exposure to such risks, in this article we examine the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement.
ASEAN Market Watch: Indonesian Cinema, Economic Stimulus in Thailand, and Foreign Workers in Malaysia
In this week’s ASEAN Market Watch we highlight opportunities in Indonesia’s growing cinema sector, discuss the importance of Thai stimulus measures, and analyze the impact of foreign employment within Malaysia.
A Guide to ASEAN’s Strategic Transport Action Plan
Aware that well-developed and organized transport infrastructure plays a vital role in economic growth, ASEAN’s leadership has recently published its 2016-2025 ASEAN Strategic Transport Action Plan. In the following article, we take a closer look at the initiatives of the plan, what has been done so far, and how the various projects will impact businesses operating within the region.
ASEAN Regulatory Brief: Foreign Banks in Myanmar, Thai Minimum Wages, and Increasing SME Aid in Brunei
In this week’s ASEAN Regulatory Brief, we discuss the issuance of new banking licenses in Myanmar, highlight rising minimum wages in Thailand, and analyze the impact of SME support in Brunei.
Remitting Profits in ASEAN – Part 2: Thailand and Indonesia
In part two of our series on ASEAN remittances we discuss current regulations and restrictions on capital outflows in Indonesia and Thailand. Read more for in depth analysis on these countries’ respective withholding rates, foreign exchange controls, and other remittance requirements.
ASEAN Market Watch: Slipping Industrial Confidence in Thailand, Philippine Air Expansion, and the Looming Threat of Malaysian Debt
Thailand: Industrial Confidence Dips First Time in Five Months Thai industrial confidence has dipped for the first time in five months. Drawing on data accumulated in January of 2016, Suphan Mongkolsuthee, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), indicated that the Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TOSO) dropped from 87.5 in December 2015 to 86.3 as of […]
Remitting Profits in ASEAN – Part 1: Singapore and Malaysia
In part one of a three part series on the state of remittances in ASEAN, we explore regulations relevant to the remittance process and explore their application in two of ASEAN’s most developed economies – Singapore and Malaysia.
ASEAN Regulatory Brief: Liberalized Philippine Aviation, Thai Visa Policy, and Hotel License Bans in Malaysia
In this week’s ASEAN Regulatory Brief we discuss emerging opportunities in Philippine aviation, discuss the implications of increased Thai enforcement of visa policy, and highlight limitations on hotel construction projects within Malaysia.
Indonesian Stimulus Gets Serious with Major Negative List Revisions
On February 17th, 2016, Indonesian president Joko Widodo announced plans to further liberalize his nation’s economic policy’s 10th economic stimulus package aimed at attracting foreign direct investment. In this article, we discuss what impact this new package will have and examine the potential of the Indonesian consumer base.
In Depth: The Singapore – Thai DTA
Singapore, long known for its exemplary investment climate and lucrative trading arrangements, continues to improve upon its competitiveness with the implementation of an updated Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Thailand. Here, we examine how companies can qualify for lowered withholding rates on their dividends, royalties, and interest payments.