Economy & Trade
Using a Labuan Company Alongside a Malaysian Sdn Bhd
06/25/2026Discover when foreign investors should use a Labuan company alongside a Malaysian Sdn Bhd, and compare the tax, governance, and structuring considerations for regional expansion in Malaysia.
When Business Expansion in Indonesia Triggers Additional Corporate Compliance Requirements
06/22/2026Business expansion in Indonesia can trigger new licensing, employment, tax, transfer pricing, and corporate compliance obligations that foreign investors should assess before implementing growth initiatives.
Understanding HGB Land Rights and Other Land Titles for Foreign Investors in Indonesia
06/18/2026Foreign investors evaluating land acquisitions and development projects in Indonesia should assess how HGB, Hak Milik, Hak Pakai, HGU, and HPL can affect ownership structures, due diligence requirements, financing options, and long-term investment planning.
Managing Regulatory Compliance During the First Year of Operations in Indonesia
06/17/2026Foreign investors operating in Indonesia face ongoing obligations involving KBLI classifications, OSS licensing, tax compliance, workforce regulations, and corporate governance during their first year of operations.
Using Nominee Directors in Singapore for Foreign-Owned Companies
05/26/2026Foreign investors using nominee directors in Singapore must navigate banking scrutiny, tax substance rules, governance exposure, and resident director compliance requirements.
How Foreign Investors Should Structure Company Formation in Singapore
05/25/2026Foreign investors establishing a company in Singapore must structure name reservation, paid-up capital, and constitution requirements carefully to support banking, licensing, and long-term operations.
-
05/20/2026
How Geopolitical Uncertainty Is Increasing Demand for Malaysian Bonds
ASEAN Briefing -
05/19/2026
ASEAN Briefing
-
05/07/2026
Expanding Across ASEAN: Market Entry and Regional Structuring Strategies for Australian Firms
ASEAN Briefing -
04/19/2026
An Introduction to Doing Business in Singapore 2026 – New Publication from Dezan Shira & Associates
ASEAN Briefing -
04/15/2026
Thailand’s Omnibus Law Plan Streamlining Regulation and Cutting Business Costs
ASEAN Briefing
Tax & Accounting
How Transfer Pricing Shapes Group Structures in Malaysia
07/02/2026Transfer pricing influences how multinational groups structure their Malaysian operations. See how decisions on business functions, intercompany arrangements, and profit allocation affect group structures.
Withholding Tax on Intra-Group Transactions in Indonesia
07/01/2026Explore how Indonesia's withholding tax rules apply to intra-group payments, including management fees, royalties, financing, and transfer pricing.
Direct Share Transfers in Vietnam: Capital Gains Tax Rules
06/29/2026Foreign investors undertaking direct share transfers in Vietnam should assess tax treatment, transaction sequencing, and registration requirements.
How Singapore's Double Taxation Agreements Can Reduce Withholding Taxes on Cross-Border Investments
06/18/2026Singapore's tax treaty network may reduce withholding taxes on dividend, interest, and royalty payments, helping investors optimize holding company structures, financing arrangements, and intellectual property strategies across ASEAN.
Tax Treatment of Royalties, Technology Transfers, and Intellectual Property Payments in Vietnam
06/15/2026Royalty and technology transfer arrangements can affect the cost of operating in Vietnam through withholding tax exposure, transfer pricing requirements, and intellectual property structuring decisions.
VAT Compliance for Foreign Companies Operating Across Multiple Vietnamese Provinces
06/10/2026Foreign companies operating across multiple Vietnamese provinces may face different VAT obligations depending on their branch structure, manufacturing activities, project locations, and reporting arrangements.
-
06/09/2026
Consolidating Indonesian Subsidiaries into IFRS Group Reporting
ASEAN Briefing -
06/03/2026
When Must a New PT PMA Register for Tax in Indonesia?
ASEAN Briefing -
05/27/2026
Corporate Tax Considerations for Foreign-Owned Companies in Malaysia
ASEAN Briefing -
05/27/2026
Transfer Pricing and Related-Party Transaction Strategies for Foreign Investors in Malaysia
ASEAN Briefing -
05/21/2026
How Singapore’s Financial Reporting Framework Aligns with IFRS
ASEAN Briefing
Legal & Regulatory
Is a Variable Capital Company the Right Fund Structure for Your Singapore Investment Platform?
06/25/2026Find out whether a Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC) is the right fund structure for your investment platform based on strategy, fundraising, tax, and regulatory considerations.
Understanding HGB Land Rights and Other Land Titles for Foreign Investors in Indonesia
06/18/2026Foreign investors evaluating land acquisitions and development projects in Indonesia should assess how HGB, Hak Milik, Hak Pakai, HGU, and HPL can affect ownership structures, due diligence requirements, financing options, and long-term investment planning.
Managing Regulatory Compliance During the First Year of Operations in Indonesia
06/17/2026Foreign investors operating in Indonesia face ongoing obligations involving KBLI classifications, OSS licensing, tax compliance, workforce regulations, and corporate governance during their first year of operations.
Indonesia's KBLI 2025 Transition: Understanding the New Business Classification Framework
06/12/2026Indonesia will implement KBLI 2025 on June 15, 2026. Learn how the new business classification framework affects licensing applications, existing registrations, and new investments.
Director, Management, and Local Presence Requirements for Foreign-Owned Companies in Malaysia
06/11/2026Foreign-owned companies in Malaysia must meet director, management, and local presence requirements. Find out how to structure your Malaysian operations effectively.
When Should Foreign Investors Establish a Private Limited Company in Thailand?
06/06/2026Evaluate whether a private limited company is the right structure for your Thailand investment by comparing foreign ownership rules, BOI incentives, liability considerations, and long-term business objectives.
-
06/04/2026
Which Industries Are Open to Foreign Ownership in Malaysia?
ASEAN Briefing -
06/02/2026
When Should Foreign Companies Hire a Virtual CFO in Singapore?
ASEAN Briefing -
05/26/2026
Using Nominee Directors in Singapore for Foreign-Owned Companies
ASEAN Briefing -
05/25/2026
How Foreign Investors Should Structure Company Formation in Singapore
ASEAN Briefing -
05/21/2026
Thailand’s Foreign Business Act Reform Reduces Licensing Barriers for Selected Foreign Investors
ASEAN Briefing
Industries
Is a Variable Capital Company the Right Fund Structure for Your Singapore Investment Platform?
06/25/2026Find out whether a Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC) is the right fund structure for your investment platform based on strategy, fundraising, tax, and regulatory considerations.
Expanding Across ASEAN: Market Entry and Regional Structuring Strategies for Australian Firms
05/07/2026Expanding into ASEAN? This guide explains how Australian firms can structure regional operations, select priority markets, and manage multi-country expansion across Southeast Asia.
How Foreign Investors Can Capture Value in Malaysia’s Semiconductor Ecosystem
04/23/2026Discover where foreign investors can generate returns in Malaysia’s semiconductor ecosystem, from established manufacturing to higher-value segments.
Malaysia’s New Manufacturing Incentives: How to Structure Your Investment Under the NIF in 2026
04/07/2026Malaysia’s new NIF changes how incentives work. Learn how to qualify, avoid mistakes, and structure your manufacturing investment.
PEZA vs BOI in the Philippines: Which Incentive Structure Fits Your Manufacturing or Logistics Model?
04/06/2026Evaluate PEZA vs BOI incentives, tax exposure, and setup risks to choose the most cost-efficient structure for your Philippines investment.
Singapore as ASEAN’s Logistics Hub: Warehousing, Trade Facilitation, and Investment Opportunities
04/02/2026Not sure if Singapore is worth it? Assess logistics costs, trade benefits, and the right ASEAN structure for your business.
-
04/02/2026
Indonesia Coal 2026: How Export Controls and Policy Shape Investment Returns
ASEAN Briefing -
03/19/2026
How Global Energy Price Volatility Could Affect Singapore’s Economy
ASEAN Briefing -
03/17/2026
Laos Land Conversion Policy: New Entry Points for Foreign Investors
ASEAN Briefing -
03/17/2026
ASEAN’s LNG Export Leaders: Investment and Energy Trade Opportunities in Malaysia and Indonesia
ASEAN Briefing -
03/13/2026
ASEAN Briefing
HR & Payroll
Should Foreign Companies in Singapore Use a Nominee Director or Appoint a Resident Director?
07/02/2026Compare nominee and resident director arrangements in Singapore, including the legal, governance, and operational considerations that influence the most appropriate appointment for foreign companies.
Payroll Due Diligence and Integration Following a Singapore Acquisition
06/24/2026Evaluate payroll liabilities, CPF obligations, compliance risks, system integration requirements, and operating model decisions when acquiring a business in Singapore.
Director, Management, and Local Presence Requirements for Foreign-Owned Companies in Malaysia
06/11/2026Foreign-owned companies in Malaysia must meet director, management, and local presence requirements. Find out how to structure your Malaysian operations effectively.
Using a Singapore-Based Virtual CFO to Manage ASEAN Subsidiaries
06/11/2026Learn how a Singapore-based Virtual CFO can help foreign investors manage ASEAN subsidiaries, improve financial visibility, and support regional operations.
When Should Foreign Companies Hire a Virtual CFO in Singapore?
06/02/2026Determine when a Virtual CFO becomes necessary in Singapore for regional expansion, treasury management, investor reporting, governance, and transaction readiness across ASEAN operations.
Should Foreign Companies Use a PEO Before Establishing a PT PMA in Indonesia?
05/29/2026Planning to enter Indonesia? Compare PEO and PT PMA structures to determine the most efficient path for hiring staff, testing the market, and building long-term operations.
-
05/22/2026
Why Foreign Investors Are Using Virtual CFO Services in Singapore for ASEAN Expansion
ASEAN Briefing -
05/13/2026
How Foreign-Owned Companies Are Audited for HR Compliance in Malaysia
ASEAN Briefing -
05/06/2026
ASEAN Briefing
-
04/23/2026
Indonesia BPJS Compliance for Foreign Employers: Costs, Hiring Impact, and Registration Requirements
ASEAN Briefing -
03/28/2026
Fixed-Term vs Regular Employment Contracts When Foreign Firms Hire in the Philippines
ASEAN Briefing
Our firm Dezan Shira & Associates provides legal, tax and operational advisory across Asia.