Other Briefings
McKinsey Sees Room for ASEAN Improvement and Future Growth
In its recent report on achieving sustained economic growth in Southeast Asia, the global management consulting firm, McKinsey, highlighted key areas for improvement in ASEAN, particularly the need to improve labor productivity, which still remains low.
Economic Growth Puts Vietnam on Track to Become Largest ASEAN Supplier to the U.S.
The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) predicts that Vietnam will become the largest ASEAN supplier to the United States by the end of 2014 – with a net export value of around US$29.4 billion. This would be a historical achievement for a nation surrounded by supply giants. In fact, Vietnam is likely to become the wealthiest Southeast Asian country in terms of trade. Additional statistics indicate that bilateral trade with the United States will surge to US$57 billion by 2020, cementing Vietnam’s prominence as a valuable hub for foreign investment and trade.
ASEAN Regional Meetings 2014
There are a number of important ASEAN regional meetings taking place in November, including the Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and the 25th ASEAN summit, which will also be attended by high level representatives of China, Japan, Korea, India, the United States, and Australia.
Outlook on ASEAN Investment 2015
Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are surging ahead of their regional neighbors, with FDI increases of 17, 19 and 20.4 percent, respectively, in 2013, according to Bank of America Merill Lynch. Meanwhile, Singapore continues to receive the lion’s share of total FDI in the region, which last year grew five percent to a net value of nearly US$64 billion. The city-state’s attraction for foreign investors derives not only from its often overlooked manufacturing base, but also as a channel for routing FDI into other locations in ASEAN.
ASEAN Briefing Wins the 2014 On The Edge Innovation Award
ASEAN Briefing and its parent organisation Dezan Shira & Associates has won the 2014 On The Edge Innovation award at the annual Leading Edge Alliance Global Conference.
October 2014 ASEAN Regional Meetings
There are a number of important ASEAN regional meetings taking place in October, including two events related to intellectual property rights in Manila, and committee meetings on ASEAN-Korea and ASEAN-Japan bilateral relations.
Singapore: IRAS Consultation on Transfer Pricing Documentation
On September 1, 2014, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (“IRAS”) released a consultation process whereby it has requested comments on proposed changes to the transfer pricing documentation requirements in Singapore.
ASEAN Investment Horizons: Key Industries for AEC 2015 – New Issue of Asia Briefing Magazine
In this issue of Asia Briefing, we forecast the effects of ASEAN Economic Community on foreign investment into the region in the lead up to 2015. Following this, we highlight what is happening in some of ASEAN’s hottest industries for investment, including electronics, information and communications technology, textiles and medical devices.
Malaysia to Introduce a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of Six Percent
The Malaysian government has announced that on April 1, 2015 it will implement a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of six percent. The new GST will replace the current sales and service tax regime.
Vietnam Ranks as 2nd Most Attractive Nation in ASEAN for US Business
According to survey results recently released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, Vietnam is the second most popular destination for U.S. business expansion among the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Indonesia took the top position.
