News Across Asia | ASIA BRIEFING

India Briefing

FSSAI Proposes Amendments to Food Business Licensing Regulations

01/22/2026

The draft FSSAI amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, signal a move toward stricter, outcome-based enforcement, with higher penalties and automatic suspension for delayed return filing. The changes have important compliance implications for food business operators.

India Briefing

US Parent-India Subsidiary: Transfer Pricing and Intercompany Agreements

01/22/2026

US parent companies with subsidiaries in India face heightened transfer pricing scrutiny when intercompany agreements, operational reality, and financial outcomes do not align. Ensuring documentation consistently reflects the Indian subsidiary’s role and value creation is critical to managing audit and dispute risk.

China Briefing

China Tax Authority Requests Self‑Inspection of Overseas Income for the Past Three Years

01/22/2026

China is moving from CRS information exchange to active overseas income tax enforcement. For foreign tax residents in China, proactive compliance now matters more than complex structuring.

Vietnam Briefing

Vietnam Economic Performance in 2025: GDP, FDI, and Trade

01/22/2026

Vietnam’s economy demonstrated a robust performance in 2025, achieving 8 percent GDP growth, maintaining resilient FDI, keeping inflation stable, and expanding trade.

Middle East Briefing

Dubai’s VARA Licensing Framework for Virtual Asset Businesses: A Practical Roadmap

01/22/2026

Dubai’s VARA licensing regime follows a clear two-stage process, Approval to Incorporate and Full VASP License, balancing innovation with robust compliance and operational substance. While demanding, it offers regulatory clarity, global credibility, and a stable base for virtual asset firms operating from the UAE.

China Briefing

China Minimum Wage Standards 2026

01/22/2026

This article offers a guide to minimum wages in the Chinese Mainland and discuss how labor costs are affected by changes to the minimum wage levels. The data is current as of January 22, 2026.

Vietnam Briefing

Exploring the Vietnam International Financial Center: Part 2 – Legal Framework, Dispute Resolution, and Judicial Mechanisms

01/21/2026

An overview of the Vietnam IFC legal framework, including Resolution 222, the application of foreign law, arbitration options, and dispute resolution mechanisms for cross-border investors.

ASEAN Briefing

Choosing The Appropriate Legal Entity for Foreign Investors in Thailand

01/21/2026

Foreign investors entering Thailand must choose the right legal entity to manage ownership limits, licensing, capital requirements, and long-term exit risk.

China Briefing

China’s Flourishing Agritech Sector - Opportunities for Foreign Investors

01/21/2026

Facing land, labor, and climate constraints, China is turning to advanced agritech solutions to secure long-term food supply and modernize production systems. Policy support and rising demand are opening new investment opportunities across digital farming, smart machinery, and bio-innovation.

India Briefing

India Withdraws Textile Machinery Safety QCO: Implications for Manufacturers and Importers

01/21/2026

India has withdrawn the 2024 QCO on machinery and electrical equipment, removing compliance requirements for imported textile machinery. Know the key implications for textile manufacturers and investors.

Middle East Briefing

UAE President’s January 19 India Visit Yields Strategic Defense, Trade, and Investment Push

01/21/2026

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s brief official visit to India reinforced deepening strategic ties, with leaders agreeing to double bilateral trade to US$200 billion by 2032 and advancing cooperation in defense, energy, technology, and infrastructure.

Middle East Briefing

Ramadan 2026 in the Gulf: Early Timeline Confirmation and Implications for Business and Investors

01/21/2026

The UAE has confirmed that the Islamic month of Shaaban started on January 20, 2026, paving the way for Ramadan 2026 dates.