News Across Asia | ASIA BRIEFING

ASEAN Briefing

VAT on Cross-Border Digital and Service Transactions in Vietnam: What Foreign Businesses Must Get Right

04/21/2026

Foreign businesses face VAT exposure from the first transaction in Vietnam. Explore key risks, pricing implications, and structuring considerations.

Vietnam Briefing

Vietnam–China Relations on the Ground: From Strategic Rhetoric to Railways, Border Gates, and Supply Chains

04/21/2026

Vietnam and China are advancing rail links, smart borders, and integrated supply chains to reshape trade in the decade ahead.

China Briefing

Hiring in Hong Kong: Compliance Tips for Foreign Companies

04/21/2026

Hong Kong offers foreign companies access to a highly skilled, multilingual workforce and a business-friendly regulatory environment, making it a key gateway for regional expansion in Asia.

China Briefing

China’s Free Trade Zone Expands to 23 with Inner Mongolia Addition

04/21/2026

China’s approval of the Inner Mongolia Pilot Free Trade Zone brings the country’s total FTZ count to 23, completing the national FTZ map and opening new channels in rare earths, AI computing, and cross‑border logistics. The key question for investors is how these policy ambitions translate into actionable opportunities.

India Briefing

Ascentium Acquires Dezan Shira & Associates, Expanding its Footprint to 27 Markets and Strengthening Corporate Services Capabilities

04/21/2026

Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, has completed its acquisition of Dezan Shira & Associates, a multi-disciplinary professional services firm with more than three decades of experience advising foreign investors across Asia.

ASEAN Briefing

Ascentium Acquires Dezan Shira & Associates, Expanding its Footprint to 27 Markets and Strengthening Corporate Services Capabilities

04/21/2026

Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, has completed its acquisition of Dezan Shira & Associates, a multi-disciplinary professional services firm with more than three decades of experience advising foreign investors across Asia.

China Briefing

Ascentium Acquires Dezan Shira & Associates, Expanding its Footprint to 27 Markets and Strengthening Corporate Services Capabilities

04/21/2026

Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, has completed its acquisition of Dezan Shira & Associates (“Dezan Shira”), a multi-disciplinary professional services firm with more than three decades of experience advising foreign investors across Asia.

Middle East Briefing

Ascentium Acquires Dezan Shira & Associates, Expanding its Footprint to 27 Markets and Strengthening Corporate Services Capabilities

04/21/2026

Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, has completed its acquisition of Dezan Shira & Associates, a multi-disciplinary professional services firm with more than three decades of experience advising foreign investors across Asia.

China Briefing

China's New Supply Chain Security Regulations: What Are the Risks to Foreign Companies?

04/20/2026

China's new rules on industrial supply chain security could place foreign companies in the crosshairs of competing national laws, with potential consequences for those operating in the country.

India Briefing

Import-Export Procedures in India: 2026 Edition

04/20/2026

India’s import-export procedures in 2026 are fully digitized, with streamlined customs systems, IEC-based registration, and real-time compliance under FTP 2023. Businesses must follow standardized classification and digital processes to manage trade efficiently and stay compliant.

Vietnam Briefing

Vietnam FDI Update: Q1 2026 Performance and Key Trends

04/20/2026

Vietnam’s FDI in Q1 2026 shows a strong rebound in new commitments and steady disbursement growth, indicating continued investor confidence despite global volatility.

Middle East Briefing

IEA Chief Projects Two-Year Recovery for Middle East Energy Markets Amid Geopolitical and Demand Pressures

04/20/2026

The IEA expects Middle East energy markets to stabilize within two years, though short-term volatility remains high due to geopolitical tensions and supply constraints.