Other Briefings
Asian Highway to Link India, Myanmar, and Thailand
A new section of the planned Asian highway linking India, Myanmar, and Thailand has become operational. The 25.6 kilometer roadway will reduce travel time between Thinggan Nyenaung and Kawkareik from three hours to 45 minutes.
ASEAN Region Poised for Increased Foreign Investment as China’s Economy Slows
As China’s once unparalleled economic growth begins to cool, investors are increasingly looking to diversify their assets in Southeast Asia. In this article we provide an overview of the promising trends major ASEAN markets as based on this Business Optimism Index.
ASEAN Regulatory Brief: ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting, Upcoming DTA, and Expanded Tax Incentives
In this ASEAN Regulatory Brief, we look at some of the important outcomes from the recent Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers, as well as highlighting regulatory changes taking place in Singapore and Indonesia.
ASEAN and China Continue Negotiations on Expanded FTA
ASEAN and China have announced that they expect to complete their negotiations on an expanded free trade agreement (FTA) by November of this year. The announcement was made on August 23 during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Ministers’ Meeting. During the recent gathering, the economic ministers of the ASEAN nations met with China’s Minister of Commerce, Gao Hucheng.
Thailand Rolls Out New Inheritance Tax
Thailand’s government has announced the implementation of the country’s first inheritance tax in seven decades is to start in January 2016.
No New Tax Measures from the Philippines for President Aquino’s Final Year
According to recent statements from the Philippine government, the country will not be introducing any major new tax measures during President Benigno Aquino’s final year in office. However, the government will continue to search for efficiencies in the areas of tax administration and collection in order to boost tax receipts.
Norway Enters into Formal Partnership with ASEAN
Norway has become the first European country to enter into a formal partnership with the ASEAN trading bloc. The northern European country has been accepted as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner, a move that was announced at the recent ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur.The ASEAN free trade area includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Thailand’s New Investment Promotion Policies Open a New Door to Foreign Investors
After 15 years of sticking to the same regulations, Thailand has finally announced that will update its investment policy. The Thai Board of Investment (“BOI”) has announced a new seven-year investment promotion strategy, making significant changes to a number of BOI investment promotion policies. The new policies, which came into effect this year and will last until the end of 2021, aim to restructure the Thai economy to a more focused form of investment promotion.
ASEAN Regulatory Brief: FATCA, GST, and a New DTA Protocol
In this ASEAN Regulatory Brief, we look at some of the important regulatory changes taking place in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia during the second half of August.
The Future of ASEAN-India Trade Looks Bright
Trade between ASEAN and India has seen strong growth over recent years. In 2014, total trade amounted to US$77 billion, a significant increase over the US$44 billion seen during 2009-10. Over the past decade, bilateral trade has increased at an average annual rate of a blistering 23 percent.
