News Across Asia | ASIA BRIEFING

ASEAN Briefing

How to Add or Amend Business Activities After Incorporation in the Philippines

02/13/2026

Foreign investors adding activities in the Philippines must review 60 percent ownership caps, US$200,000 capital rules, and tax impact before amendment.

ASEAN Briefing

Selecting the Right Transfer Pricing Method in Vietnam: TNMM, CUP, or Cost-Plus

02/13/2026

Foreign investors assessing TNMM, CUP, or Cost-Plus in Vietnam must align profit allocation with audit risk and enforcement practice.

India Briefing

India's Antitrust Regulator CCI Fines Intel US$3.01 Million for Abuse of Dominant Position

02/13/2026

Antitrust regulator CCI has imposed a US$3.01 million fine on Intel Corporation for an India-specific warranty policy deemed discriminatory and restrictive of parallel imports. The ruling clarifies how dominance is assessed under Indian competition law and highlights key compliance risks global companies.

China Briefing

China’s Infrastructure Dominance: Still a Step Ahead in Asian Manufacturing

02/13/2026

China’s long-term investment in transport, energy, industrial, and digital infrastructure continues to support manufacturing at scale. As Asian manufacturing diversifies, China’s infrastructure depth remains a structural strength compared to emerging alternatives.

China Briefing

Hong Kong IRD Warns Public About Fraudulent Stamp Duty Certificate Notices

02/13/2026

Hong Kong’s IRD has warned the public about fake notices impersonating Stamp Duty Certificate communications. These fraudulent documents often use fabricated tax terms, urgent deadlines, or foreign-currency payment instructions to pressure recipients.

India Briefing

Deepfake, Content Labeling & Safe Harbor Risks for Global Platforms: India’s 2026 AI Regulation

02/12/2026

India’s latest updates to the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, tighten artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake regulation with mandatory labeling and 2-3 hour takedowns, putting safe harbor protection at risk for foreign platforms.

India Briefing

India Fast-Tracks New Drug & Clinical Trial Approvals with 2026 NDCT Amendments

02/12/2026

India’s 2026 amendments to the New Drug and Clinical Trials (NDCT) Rules, 2019, materially improve the operating environment for pharmaceutical companies, contract manufacturers, and foreign investors by compressing approval timelines and reducing pre-licensing bottlenecks.

China Briefing

China Enforces Higher Salary Thresholds for A/B Work Permits

02/12/2026

China has tightened enforcement of salary-based requirements for foreign work permits, with major cities applying full 6× and 4× multipliers. These changes impact both new applications and renewals, increasing compliance obligations for employers and foreign staff.

Middle East Briefing

GCC, India Launch Free Trade Agreement Talks: Trade, Investment, and Sector Implications

02/12/2026

The GCC and India have restarted Free Trade Agreement talks, in a move that could shape tariffs, rules of origin, customs procedures.

Vietnam Briefing

Vietnam’s New Law on Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy: Aligning the Insolvency Framework with International Practice

02/12/2026

Vietnam’s 2025 Law on Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy transforms its insolvency system by focusing on debtor-led rehabilitation with early intervention, court oversight, and structured creditor involvement.

Middle East Briefing

UAE's Commercial Companies Law Amendments: Corporate Structuring and M&A Implications

02/11/2026

The UAE’s 2025 amendments to the Commercial Companies Law enhance flexibility for onshore companies by introducing redomiciliation with continuity of legal personality, expanded constitutional rights, multiple share classes, and clearer in-kind contribution rules.

ASEAN Briefing

Vietnam Year-End Closing and Audit Preparation for Foreign-Invested Enterprises

02/11/2026

Foreign investors should assess Vietnam’s year-end closing rules, statutory audits, tax risks, and profit repatriation limits.