Economy & Trade
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.
How Geopolitical Uncertainty Is Increasing Demand for Malaysian Bonds
05/20/2026Foreign investors are increasing exposure to Malaysian bonds as stable inflation, stronger external balances, and ringgit stability strengthen the country’s position within Asian debt markets.
Thailand Minimum Capital Requirements for Foreign Investors: What Determines Your Investment Threshold?
05/19/2026Foreign investors entering Thailand may face different minimum capital requirements depending on ownership structure, work permits, BOI promotion, and regulated business activities.
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.
An Introduction to Doing Business in Singapore 2026 – New Publication from Dezan Shira & Associates
04/19/2026An Introduction to Doing Business in Singapore 2026 covers market entry, tax, HR & payroll, and audit & compliance considerations.
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04/15/2026
Thailand’s Omnibus Law Plan Streamlining Regulation and Cutting Business Costs
ASEAN Briefing -
04/15/2026
Singapore’s Business Support Measures Amid Shifting Cost Conditions
ASEAN Briefing -
04/11/2026
Adapting to Singapore’s 15% Global Minimum Tax as a Multinational
ASEAN Briefing -
04/06/2026
ASEAN Briefing
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04/02/2026
Singapore as ASEAN’s Logistics Hub: Warehousing, Trade Facilitation, and Investment Opportunities
ASEAN Briefing
Tax & Accounting
When Must a New PT PMA Register for Tax in Indonesia?
06/03/2026Assess when a new PT PMA should register for tax in Indonesia and how registration timing can affect compliance obligations, hiring plans, banking arrangements, and operational readiness.
Corporate Tax Considerations for Foreign-Owned Companies in Malaysia
05/27/2026Malaysia’s corporate tax framework affects profitability, repatriation efficiency, transfer pricing exposure, incentive eligibility, and long-term ASEAN expansion planning for foreign-owned companies.
Transfer Pricing and Related-Party Transaction Strategies for Foreign Investors in Malaysia
05/27/2026Explore transfer pricing structures, documentation requirements, royalty payments, intercompany financing, and IRBM compliance risks for foreign-owned companies operating in Malaysia.
How Singapore’s Financial Reporting Framework Aligns with IFRS
05/21/2026Foreign investors establishing operations in Singapore must structure accounting, audit, tax, and financial reporting systems to support compliance, financing, and regional expansion.
Why Business Expenses Become Non-Deductible Under Vietnam Tax Rules
05/18/2026Foreign-invested companies in Vietnam may face corporate income tax exposure where invoice compliance, payroll reporting, intercompany charges, payment structures, and financing arrangements fail to satisfy deductibility requirements.
When Foreign-Owned Companies Require a Statutory Audit in Singapore
05/13/2026Statutory audits are becoming increasingly important for foreign-owned companies in Singapore as financing activities, investor reporting, and group governance requirements shape transaction readiness, regulatory exposure, and business credibility.
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05/12/2026
Chart of Accounts and Bookkeeping Standards for PT PMAs in Indonesia
ASEAN Briefing -
05/11/2026
How Export Businesses Can Claim and Recover VAT Refunds in Vietnam
ASEAN Briefing -
05/04/2026
Beyond Capital Gains: Full Corporate Tax Exposure When Selling a Vietnam Subsidiary
ASEAN Briefing -
05/01/2026
Corporate Income Tax Filing in Singapore for Foreign Companies
ASEAN Briefing -
04/29/2026
Malaysia Sales and Service Tax Compliance: What Foreign Investors Must Get Right
ASEAN Briefing
Legal & Regulatory
Which Industries Are Open to Foreign Ownership in Malaysia?
06/04/2026Explore foreign ownership rules across key industries in Malaysia, including manufacturing, technology, financial services, telecommunications, and other regulated sectors affecting foreign investors.
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.
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.
Thailand’s Foreign Business Act Reform Reduces Licensing Barriers for Selected Foreign Investors
05/21/2026Thailand is removing Foreign Business License requirements for selected regulated sectors, potentially reducing market-entry delays and licensing complexity for foreign investors operating in Thailand.
Thailand Minimum Capital Requirements for Foreign Investors: What Determines Your Investment Threshold?
05/19/2026Foreign investors entering Thailand may face different minimum capital requirements depending on ownership structure, work permits, BOI promotion, and regulated business activities.
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05/08/2026
How Tax Exposure Expands as Foreign Branch Operations Grow in Malaysia
ASEAN Briefing -
05/06/2026
Malaysia Entry Strategy: Sdn Bhd vs Branch Office for Foreign Business Expansion
ASEAN Briefing -
04/30/2026
Thailand Market Entry: Foreign Business License or BOI Promotion?
ASEAN Briefing -
04/22/2026
Choosing Between BOI and Non-BOI Companies in Thailand for Foreign Investors
ASEAN Briefing -
04/21/2026
ASEAN Briefing
Industries
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.
Indonesia Coal 2026: How Export Controls and Policy Shape Investment Returns
04/02/2026Evaluate how Indonesia’s coal export rules impact pricing, margins, and investment risk before entering the market.
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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
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03/10/2026
Philippines–UAE CEPA: Trade Expansion and Investment Implications
ASEAN Briefing
HR & Payroll
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.
Why Foreign Investors Are Using Virtual CFO Services in Singapore for ASEAN Expansion
05/22/2026Singapore-based virtual CFO services help foreign investors manage ASEAN expansion through centralized reporting, treasury coordination, regional financial oversight, and scalable cross-border finance support.
How Foreign-Owned Companies Are Audited for HR Compliance in Malaysia
05/13/2026Foreign-owned companies in Malaysia face increasing HR compliance audits as regulators intensify scrutiny of payroll structures, expatriate employment, statutory contributions, and outsourced labor arrangements.
Cambodia Work Permits for Foreign Directors: Structuring Around Quotas, Tax Exposure, and Enforcement Risk
05/06/2026Foreign directors in Cambodia may require work permits even when based offshore. See how quota, tax, and registration rules affect investor structures.
Indonesia BPJS Compliance for Foreign Employers: Costs, Hiring Impact, and Registration Requirements
04/23/2026BPJS compliance in Indonesia explained for foreign companies. See employer costs, contribution rates, and hiring impact before market entry.
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03/28/2026
Fixed-Term vs Regular Employment Contracts When Foreign Firms Hire in the Philippines
ASEAN Briefing -
03/11/2026
Personal Income Tax Filing in Thailand: What Expats Need to Know
ASEAN Briefing -
03/04/2026
THR Compliance in Indonesia: What Foreign Employers Must Review Before Eid 2026
ASEAN Briefing -
02/11/2026
Vietnam’s 183-Day Rule: Tax Implications for Foreign Employees
ASEAN Briefing -
02/09/2026
Using Business Intelligence to Evaluate Workforce Availability and Wage Levels in Indonesia
ASEAN Briefing
Our firm Dezan Shira & Associates provides legal, tax and operational advisory across Asia.