News Across Asia | ASIA BRIEFING

China Briefing

Germany-China Relations Under Merz: What the First Official Visit to Beijing Means for Business

03/13/2026

Germany-China relations have stabilized at the political level following Chancellor Merz's February 2026 visit to Beijing, with both sides reaffirming their strategic partnership and committing to structured bilateral consultations. However, the structural economic tensions driving Germany's record EUR 90 billion trade deficit with China remain unresolved, and European businesses should not mistake diplomatic normalization for improved market conditions.

India Briefing

India’s Crude Oil Tracker 2026: Supply Diversification and Energy Security Measures

03/12/2026

With crude prices hitting US$113.57 as of March 11, 2026, is India’s energy supply secure? Learn about the March 2026 Natural Gas Control Order, increased domestic LPG production, and India’s shift to sourcing crude oil from 40 different countries.

Middle East Briefing

Saudi Arabia’s SEZs (Special Economic Zones): What the New Regulatory Framework Means for Foreign Investors

03/12/2026

Saudi Arabia's SEZs (Special Economic Zones) are now subject to a new, comprehensive regulatory framework offering foreign investors incentives such as reduced corporate tax rates, customs exemptions, and streamlined licensing procedures. The initiative, aligned with Vision 2030, aims to attract global investment in sectors including logistics, advanced manufacturing, maritime industries, and digital technologies.

Vietnam Briefing

Mapping the China-Vietnam Trade Relationship: Key Trade Routes and Growth Drivers

03/12/2026

China-Vietnam trade is thriving, with Vietnam becoming a key trade hub and increasingly exporting Chinese goods, strengthening their regional partnership.

China Briefing

EU CBAM 2026: What It Means for China‑Based Manufacturing

03/12/2026

As the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism enters its definitive phase, China-based heavy industry faces a permanently altered cost landscape, one where carbon intensity is now a priced factor of competitiveness, not an externality.

Vietnam Briefing

APAs in Vietnam: How Businesses Can Manage Transfer Pricing Risks

03/12/2026

Explore reforms that renew attention on advance pricing agreements (APAs) for transfer pricing risk management in Vietnam.

ASEAN Briefing

Personal Income Tax Filing in Thailand: What Expats Need to Know

03/11/2026

Foreign professionals in Thailand should review personal income tax filing requirements, residency thresholds, deductions, and foreign income rules to assess their tax exposure.

India Briefing

Standardizing Payroll in India: Leveraging the National Floor Wage Under the New Labor Codes

03/11/2026

India’s floor wage system under the Code on Wages, 2019, establishes a national wage benchmark that guides how minimum wages are set across states. Understanding its interaction with state-level minimum wage regulations is essential for businesses managing labor costs and compliance

Middle East Briefing

Oman E-Invoicing and Qatar’s CbCR Tabadol Portal: The GCC’s Digital Tax Infrastructure Push

03/11/2026

Oman and Qatar are advancing the GCC’s shift toward digital tax administration through new compliance platforms. Oman’s upcoming Fawtara e-invoicing system will introduce structured digital invoicing and real-time transaction monitoring, while Qatar’s Tabadol portal strengthens tax transparency by enabling multinational companies to submit Country-by-Country Reports in line with OECD BEPS standards.

China Briefing

China Monthly Tax Brief: February 2026

03/11/2026

China monthly tax brief February 2026 highlights a pivotal month shaped by the rollout of the new VAT Law and a surge of aligning tax policies. New incentives, compliance signals, and special zone updates together redefine China’s evolving tax environment.

India Briefing

India Relaxes FDI Rules for Neighboring Countries, Allowing Minority Investments via Automatic Route

03/11/2026

India has eased Press Note 3 restrictions by allowing sub-10 percent minority investments from neighboring countries through the automatic route and introducing a 60-day fast-track approval system for manufacturing sectors.

India Briefing

India's New FDI Rules for Land-Border Countries: 60-Day Approval, Beneficial Ownership Explained

03/11/2026

India has revised FDI rules for land border countries with clearer beneficial ownership norms and a 60-day approval process to attract investment into key manufacturing sectors.