Other Briefings
Cambodian Government Preparing Standardized Tax Reports
The Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance is drafting standardized accounting procedures for small and medium-sized businesses. The main goal of the draft is to streamline bookkeeping, improve tax collection efforts for the government, and make it easier for lending institutions to evaluate loans.
Thailand’s European Tariff Privileges Withdrawn
The European Union’s generalized scheme of preferences (GSP) will be withdrawn from over 6,200 Thai products on 1 January, 2015. The scheme provides developing country exporters with reduced or nil duties on exports to the EU until they are deemed competitive enough to no longer need such support.
Indonesian Rupiah Shows Signs of Recovery After Steep Declines
The Indonesia rupiah has stabilized after hitting its lowest point since the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis. The currency had fallen to a low of 12,930 rupiah/US dollar on Tuesday morning but later strengthened to close at 12,680. The rupiah made further gains on Wednesday by growing 0.2 percent to 12,658, according to local exchange rates published by Bloomberg. The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI), the main price barometer of the local stock exchange, also rose 0.2 percent, partially reversing a 1.9 percent fall on Tuesday.
OECD and ASEAN Release Investment Policy Review of Myanmar
On December 9th, the Second ASEAN-OECD Investment Policy Conference was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, to discuss the continued facilitation and promotion of ASEAN investment for regional integration. The event brought together ASEAN investment policy makers, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members, and industry leaders, to showcase ASEAN’s regional investment integration achievements since the first conference in 2010. Included at the conference was the release of the OECD’s Investment Policy Review of Myanmar, which marked the country as one to watch heading into 2015.
The Philippines’ Inclusive Business Program to Provide a Range of Incentives to Foreign Investors
The Philippines is currently accepting applications from companies to participate in its Inclusive Business (IB) program. The program is intended to help reduce poverty across the nation by encouraging businesses to set up their operations in areas that have been identified as economically disadvantaged. In return for basing their operations in these areas, businesses will be granted a range of financial and other incentives. The program will initially focus on the areas of Marivetes (Bataan), Cavite, Mactan (Cebu), and Baguio.
Singapore to Reduce Property Taxes for HDB Flats
The Singaporean government has announced a range of property tax and other cost reductions for those living in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. Starting January 1, 2015, HDB flat owners of three-, four-, and five-room units will see a three percent reduction in their annual rent. Additionally, owners of one-room and two-room HDB flats will continue to pay no property tax. This will be the second year that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has imposed progressive property tax reductions in order to reflect the cooling down of the property market – a slowdown mainly due to government intervention.
Thailand Postpones VAT Hike
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the postponement of the country’s proposed value-added tax (VAT) hike on December 2, 2014, citing unfavorable economic conditions. Thailand’s growth forecasts have been downgraded by ANZ’s Roy Morgan from 1.3 percent to 0.9 percent for 2014, and from 4.8 percent to 4.2 percent for 2015.
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.
Thai Economy Sees Improvement Due to Increased ASEAN Integration
The level of Thailand’s imports and exports has expanded for the first time since April 2013. In year-on-year (YoY) comparisons, both imports and exports have increased. In the Ministry of Finance’s most recent report, June YoY comparisons show the total value of exports is up by 3.9 percent with improvements in both intra-ASEAN and European trade. After signs of slowing this past year, producer and consumer confidence also now appear to be improving.
