Other Briefings
Understanding Financial Integration in ASEAN
Established in late 2015, the ASEAN Economic Community represents a significant achievement in a decades long process towards regional financial integration. Although far from complete, a clear understanding of past and current progress towards full integration is likely to be of increasing importance to regional investment.
Singapore Overtakes Hong Kong as Asia’s Top Financial Hub
Singapore has overtaken Hong Kong as the top financial hub in Asia; a symbolic milestone that is indicative of a wider trend of optimism towards the city state. Read more for ASEAN Briefing’s analysis on this development and learn how to effectively spearhead your expansion within the region.
Singapore: An Emerging Hub for Medical Devices
Singapore’s involvement in the medical devices industry has grown rapidly pushing the city state to become one of the top medical tech hubs in Asia. Learn how opportunities within the industry can be exploited and its challenges overcome.
The Philippines Export Development Plan: Addressing Obstacles to Trade
Seeking to maximize its position within ASEAN, the Philippines has announced stimulus measures aimed at readjusting its export sector. Outlined in the recently passed Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP), the success of these reforms will likely play a significant role in the island nation’s business landscape in the coming months.
ASEAN Regulatory Brief: Mobile Taxes in Myanmar, Philippine Air Cargo Requirements, and ASEAN Food Standards
In this week’s Regulatory Brief, we highlight a new tax on cellphone usage in Myanmar, discuss new procedures for customs registration in the Philippines, and highlight the increasing possibility of ASEAN-wide food standards.
Investment Protection in ASEAN – Part 2: Bilateral Investment Agreements
In contrast to ASEAN-based investors that are covered under the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA), protection for non-ASEAN investors is largely dependent on bilateral investment treaties (BITs). While some agreements offer similar provisions, many are less extensive or unaccommodating and vague. For those considering investment within the region, a firm understanding of available agreements and their details is a critical component of pre-market entry due diligence.
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.
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.
Foreign Exchange Volatility in ASEAN: Assessing Exposure & Managing Risk
Understanding that foreign exchange volatility is likely to be a long term risk associated with ASEAN based production, the following article overviews the issues surrounding foreign exchange within the region and highlights market entry strategies that can be utilized to reduce operational exposure.
