Economy & Trade
Singapore Ranks Fourth in the Asia Manufacturing Index
01/14/2026Singapore ranks fourth in the Asia Manufacturing Index, reflecting strong performance in infrastructure, trade, tax policy, and innovation, balanced by structural limits in scale and labor.
Foreign Ownership Restrictions and Conditional Sectors in Vietnam
01/14/2026Foreign investors must assess ownership caps, conditional sectors, licensing scope, capital, and treaty limits before entering Vietnam.
Asia Manufacturing Index: Malaysia Places Second Among ASEAN Economies
01/13/2026Malaysia ranks second among ASEAN economies in the 2026 Asia Manufacturing Index, which compares manufacturing-related indicators across 11 Asian countries.
Using Business Intelligence to Evaluate Logistics and Port Connectivity in Indonesia
01/08/2026Indonesia’s logistics and port connectivity are assessed in terms of hub capacity, reliability, last-mile delivery constraints, and ASEAN positioning.
Strategic Manufacturing Site Selection: Northern vs. Southern Vietnam
01/05/2026Vietnam’s north–south manufacturing divide explained through logistics, labor, risk, and irreversibility to support site selection decisions.
Evaluating Indonesia’s Middle-Class Growth Using Business Intelligence
12/29/2025Analyze Indonesia’s middle-class growth using business intelligence to identify where consumer demand is real, concentrated, and investable.
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12/26/2025
Comparing Malaysia’s Tax and Incentive Regimes Using Business Intelligence
ASEAN Briefing -
12/24/2025
Singapore vs Hong Kong vs Dubai: Regional HQ Trade-Offs for Investors
ASEAN Briefing -
12/23/2025
Indonesia’s Special Economic Zones: A Structural Shift for Foreign Investors
ASEAN Briefing -
12/19/2025
An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2026 – New Publication from Dezan Shira & Associates
ASEAN Briefing -
12/17/2025
Using BI to Benchmark Consumer Markets in ASEAN with a Focus on Indonesia
ASEAN Briefing
Tax & Accounting
Withholding Tax Treatment for Cross-Border Payments in Singapore
01/15/2026Foreign investors should assess how withholding tax applies to cross-border payments in Singapore, including rates, treaty risk, and issues that affect cost and compliance.
Profit Repatriation from Indonesia: Tax, Timing, and Execution Considerations
01/13/2026Foreign investors repatriating profits from Indonesia must manage tax exposure, timing, and execution risks to ensure predictable cash outcomes.
Transfer Pricing in Cambodia: What Foreign Investors Need to Get Right Before Revenue Scales
01/12/2026Foreign investors in Cambodia should align transfer pricing with real operations early to reduce audit friction and avoid repatriation delays as revenue grows.
VAT Registration, E-Faktur, and Ongoing Compliance in Indonesia for Foreign Investors
01/09/2026Foreign investors operating in Indonesia face VAT obligations tied to e-Faktur, monthly reporting, and ongoing compliance requirements.
How Foreign-Owned Companies Can Use Loss Carryforwards and Group Relief in Malaysia
01/02/2026Foreign investors evaluating Malaysia should understand how loss carryforwards and group relief affect structuring, cash flow, and returns.
How Branch Profit Remittance Tax Applies to Foreign Entities in Vietnam
12/30/2025Vietnam does not impose a branch profit remittance tax and instead applies corporate income tax and profit remittance rules.
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12/19/2025
Dividends, Royalties, or Fees: Profit Repatriation in Malaysia
ASEAN Briefing -
12/09/2025
Repatriating Profits from Singapore: Dividends vs Royalties vs Service Fees
ASEAN Briefing -
12/04/2025
Understanding Withholding Tax on Royalties, Dividends, And Service Fees in The Philippines
ASEAN Briefing -
12/02/2025
Understanding Vietnam Accounting Standards (VAS) for Foreign Companies
ASEAN Briefing -
11/27/2025
When Expatriates Qualify for Malaysian Tax Residency
ASEAN Briefing
Legal & Regulatory
Banking, Account Opening, And Source-Of-Funds Scrutiny in Singapore
01/02/2026Singapore’s bank account opening framework reflects a risk-based approach to source of funds scrutiny, approval discretion, and onboarding timelines for foreign investors.
Enforcing Commercial Contracts in the Philippines: An Investor Enforcement Perspective
12/30/2025See how contract enforcement works in the Philippines and what you must structure to protect your investment and recovery rights.
Should Foreign Investors Form an Exempt Pte Ltd or a Standard Pte Ltd in Singapore?
12/16/2025Foreign investors choosing between an Exempt or Standard Pte Ltd in Singapore should assess ownership structure and scalability.
Understanding Minimum Capital Requirements for Foreign-Owned Companies in Cambodia
12/11/2025Foreign investors must understand Cambodia’s minimum and paid-up capital rules because practical banking and tax requirements exceed the legal minimum.
How To Amend KBLI Codes When Expanding into New Business Lines in Indonesia
12/11/2025KBLI amendments are required when activities change, and OSS-RBA reclassification determines the licensing steps for foreign investors in Indonesia.
Business Intelligence for Regulatory Risk in Indonesia Market Entry
12/03/2025Business intelligence helps foreign investors assess ownership, licensing, staffing, tax, and data requirements before entering Indonesia.
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12/01/2025
Should Intercompany Fees in Indonesia Be Classified as Services, Royalties, or Cost Recharges?
ASEAN Briefing -
11/25/2025
When a Representative Office Makes Sense in Indonesia
ASEAN Briefing -
11/21/2025
How Foreign Investors Should Structure M&A in Thailand
ASEAN Briefing -
11/14/2025
LLC or JSC? Deciding the Best Upgrade from a Vietnam RO
ASEAN Briefing -
11/10/2025
Paid-Up Capital Decisions in the Philippines: What CFOs Should Weigh
ASEAN Briefing
Industries
Singapore’s F&B Sector: Entering 2026 an Entry Decision for Foreign Investors
12/26/2025Is Singapore’s F&B sector still worth entering in 2026? A data-driven assessment for foreign investors.
Should You Invest in Methanol and Ammonia Bunkering in Singapore
10/27/2025Methanol and ammonia are transforming Singapore’s bunkering sector, offering new opportunities and risks for early-stage investors.
Vietnam Cold-Chain and Agritech Opportunities for Foreign Investors
09/19/2025Vietnam’s cold-chain and agritech upgrades cut losses and raise export margins, creating strong opportunities for foreign investors.
Investing in Vietnam’s Textile Recycling Industry: An Investor’s Guide
09/04/2025Vietnam’s textile recycling market is expanding rapidly, with US and EU compliance shaping key investment opportunities.
How BOI EV 3.5 Shapes the Future of EV Battery Investments in Thailand
09/02/2025Thailand’s BOI EV 3.5 offers subsidies, tax relief, and export flexibility for EV battery investors through 2027.
Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing in Singapore: An Investor’s Operating Thesis
09/02/2025Explore investment pathways in Singapore’s cell and gene therapy sector, from facilities to CDMOs, with tax and regulatory insights.
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08/20/2025
Investing in Vietnam Electronics & Components: Licensing, Incentives, and Location Choices
ASEAN Briefing -
08/01/2025
Indonesia’s Construction Market: Growth Drivers and 2030 Forecast
ASEAN Briefing -
07/14/2025
Beyond Call Centers: The Rise of High-Value IT-BPM Services in the Philippines
ASEAN Briefing -
07/09/2025
Islamic Finance in Singapore: Unlocking Growth Potential in a Strategic Financial Hub
ASEAN Briefing -
07/08/2025
Foreign Ownership Rules in the Philippines: What’s Allowed and Restricted
ASEAN Briefing
HR & Payroll
Local Director and Management Presence Requirements in Singapore
01/06/2026Foreign investors should assess Singapore’s local director and management presence rules, nominee disclosure updates, and governance expectations.
Should Foreign Companies in Indonesia Appoint Local Directors for Governance or Compliance Only?
12/22/2025Foreign companies in Indonesia must assess when local directors should hold real authority and how governance choices affect risk and control.
Employment Contracts and Probation Rules for Foreign Employers in Vietnam
12/17/2025How Vietnam’s employment contracts and probation rules affect foreign employers, workforce flexibility, and compliance risk in practice.
Contract of Service vs Contract for Service in Malaysia
12/09/2025Foreign employers can distinguish between Malaysia’s contract of service and contract for service to manage hiring compliance, worker rights, and classification risks.
Thailand Introduces Digital Work Permit System for Foreign Employers
11/26/2025Thailand’s digital work permit system streamlines hiring for foreign employers with faster processing and a unified online application workflow.
Payroll in Malaysia: Understanding Monthly Tax Deductions, EPF, and SOCSO Contributions
11/17/2025Employers should ensure full compliance with Malaysia’s MTD, EPF, SOCSO, and EIS requirements by meeting all contribution rules, eligibility tests, and filing duties.
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11/04/2025
Which Philippine Work Visa Best Fits Foreign Investors
ASEAN Briefing -
10/29/2025
Employment Contracts in Indonesia: Fixed-Term Vs Permanent
ASEAN Briefing -
10/24/2025
Avoiding Penalties During Labor Inspections in Indonesia
ASEAN Briefing -
10/13/2025
Cambodia’s 2026 Minimum Wage Increase: What Foreign Investors Should Decide Now
ASEAN Briefing -
10/11/2025
Termination Laws and Severance Obligations in Malaysia
ASEAN Briefing
Our firm Dezan Shira & Associates provides legal, tax and operational advisory across Asia.