ASIA BRIEFING

Economy & Trade

Thailand Issues Latest US$1.3 Billion Stimulus Package

08/05/2021

Thailand issued its latest stimulus package valued at 42 billion baht (US$1.3 billion), which provides financial assistance to businesses and people.

COVID-19 Vaccine Roll Outs in ASEAN & Asia – Live Updates by Country

08/05/2021

We will be operating this article as a running live update service to keep businesses in the ASEAN region informed with regards to the coronavirus.

Thailand and the EU Resume Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

08/04/2021

Thailand and the European Union (EU) have agreed to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA), seven years after talks collapsed in 2014.

How US Businesses Can Access the East Asian US$25 Trillion RCEP Free Trade Market Agreement via Existing Agreements

07/30/2021

US businesses can access the RCEP free trade agreement through its existing agreements with partners in the region.

Singapore Launches Latest US$800 Million Economic Support Package

07/26/2021

On July 23, 2021, Singapore introduced its latest S$1.1 billion (US$800 million) economic support package as the country returned to Phase 2 restrictions.

ASEAN ACCESS: A New Business Information Hub for MSMEs in ASEAN

07/19/2021

On June 16, 2021, ASEAN launched ASEAN Access, a free information online portal dedicated to connecting MSMEs in the region.

07/14/2021
Vietnam’s Transport Infrastructure Master Plan: Three Proposals for Implementation

ASEAN Briefing
07/02/2021
Opportunities for Indian Manufacturers in ASEAN

ASEAN Briefing
06/30/2021
Malaysia’s Pemulih Stimulus Package: Supporting Businesses and Individuals

ASEAN Briefing
06/25/2021
How Businesses in Singapore can Reduce Overhead Costs During the Pandemic

ASEAN Briefing
06/23/2021
Indonesia’s Omnibus Law: Provisions on Special Economic Zones

ASEAN Briefing

Tax & Accounting

The Philippines Imposes New 12% VAT Rate on Exporters

07/31/2021

The Philippines' Revenue Regulation No. 9-2021, which introduces a 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) rate on certain sales transactions that were previously taxed at zero percent.

Cambodia Issues Ninth Round of Stimulus Measures

07/07/2021

Cambodia unveiled its ninth round of stimulus measures to support businesses andhouseholds as the country grapples with a sudden surge in COVID infections.

Vietnam Issues Guidance on Electronic Tax Payment Transactions: Circular 19

06/03/2021

Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) has issued Circular 19/2021/TT-BTC (Circular 19) guiding regulations on electronic tax transactions.

Personal Income Tax in Vietnam: Exemptions and Reductions

05/07/2021

Vietnam’s Law on Personal Income Tax recognizes different categories of income, with a host of deductions, and tax rates, applying to each of them.

The Philippines CREATE Act Comes into Effect, Pushing for Accelerated Economic Recovery

04/16/2021

The CREATE Act is a time-bound and tailor-made set of corporate and tax reforms to counter the effects of COVID-19 on the Philippines’ economy.

Transfer Pricing in Indonesia: A Guide for Foreign Investors

04/01/2021

Indonesia endorses the arm’s length principle as the standard guide to transfer pricing.

03/24/2021
Transfer Pricing in Singapore: A Guide for Foreign Investors

ASEAN Briefing
03/19/2021
GST Changes in Singapore for 2021: How Should Businesses Prepare

ASEAN Briefing
03/17/2021
Philippines Launches FIST Act to Protect Banks and Financial Institutions

ASEAN Briefing
03/05/2021
Indirect Tax and Stamp Duty Measures in Malaysia for 2021

ASEAN Briefing
03/01/2021
Individual Income Tax Amendments in Malaysia for 2021

ASEAN Briefing

Legal & Regulatory

Company Dissolution in Indonesia: A Guide for Foreign Investors

08/03/2021

The company dissolution process in Indonesia can be voluntary or non-voluntary. This article explores the steps that foreign investors should take when liquidating their Indonesian businesses.

Indonesia’s Omnibus Law: Individuals Now Allowed to Incorporate Companies

07/29/2021

GR 8/2021 introduces individually owned companies, a new type of company category in Indonesia that can be incorporated by a single individual.

Decree 70 to Impact Cross-Border Advertising Services in Vietnam

07/27/2021

Vietnam’s Decree 70 stipulates that advertising service providers engaging in cross-border advertising services must abide by regulations on cybersecurity, and the provision and use of internet services, as well as pay tax.

Import and Export Procedures in Indonesia – Best Practices

07/01/2021

Indonesia has made serious efforts to improve its import and export procedures as the country targets to become the fourth-largest economy by 2045.

Singapore to Increase Port Dues Rates from 2022

06/22/2021

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will implement a two-phase increase in port dues rates from January 2022.

A Step by Step Guide to Import and Export Procedures in Vietnam

06/14/2021

With foreign investors showing significant interest in Vietnam, it is important for them to clearly understand the country’s import and export procedures.

06/11/2021
Vietnam Eases Enterprise Registration: Decree 1

ASEAN Briefing
06/10/2021
The Guide to Singapore's Import and Export Procedures

ASEAN Briefing
05/28/2021
Malaysia’s Central Bank Provides Financing Facility for High-Tech SMEs

ASEAN Briefing
05/27/2021
Vietnam’s Decree 31 Provides Guidance on Implementation of the Investment Law

ASEAN Briefing
05/21/2021
Indonesia Increases Paid-up Capital Requirements for Foreign Companies

ASEAN Briefing

Industries

ASEAN, EU Agree to World’s First Bloc-to-Bloc Air Transport Agreement

07/15/2021

ASEAN and the EU have agreed to the world’s first bloc-to-bloc air transport agreement through the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement.

BioNTech to Build Vaccine Manufacturing Site in Singapore

07/13/2021

Biotechnology company BioNTech will establish its Asia-Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore, where it will also establish an mRNA manufacturing facility.

Indonesia to Build Electric Vehicle Battery Plant, Production Starting in 2023

07/08/2021

Indonesia will build its first electric vehicle battery plant and aims to begin production by 2023, in a project estimated to be valued at US$9.8 billion.

Malaysia and Thailand Launch QR Payment Linkage

06/28/2021

On June 18, 2021, Malaysia and Thailand launched a cross-border quick response (QR) payment linkage to enable businesses and consumers from both countries to receive instant QR code payments.