Other Briefings
ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement Signed
The ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) was signed during the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila. The pact, which will come into force on January 1, 2019 is expected to benefit foreign businesses significantly as it will expand Hong Kong’s network to cover all major economies in South East Asia.
Malaysia’s 2018 Budget: Salient Features
On October 27, 2017, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak tabled the country’s much anticipated 2018 budget. The budget proposes several tax incentives for investors and venture capital firms. In this article, we look at the salient features of the budget and their implications for businesses.
Investing in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is endowed with several advantages for export-oriented manufacturing industries, such as access to cheap labor, and its connectivity with several well-established foreign markets. Read more in our latest article.
Thailand’s New Customs Act: A Relief for Importers and Exporters
Thailand’s new Customs Act will come into force from November 13, 2017. With an aim to modernize Thailand’s customs law, the revised Act will significantly ease customs procedures and bring transparency in the country’s customs law. Read more about these changes in our latest article.
Singapore’s Free Trade Agreement with Turkey Comes into Force
The much-awaited Turkey-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (TRSFTA) went into effect on October 1, this year. The agreement paves the way for freer movement of goods and services, and further investment opportunities between the two countries. Read more.
Singapore as a Payroll Processing Center for Companies in ASEAN
Companies centralizing their payroll in Singapore benefit from the country’s double advantage of housing many regional headquarters as well as the country’s strong connectivity to other ASEAN states. Read more.
Malaysia-Thailand Trade and Economic Relations
Malaysia and Thailand, both active members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), enjoy cordial diplomatic relations and share strong bilateral ties in several areas, including in trade and investment. Read more.
Thailand Launches New Online Service for Work Permits and Visas
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has launched a new online visa service for BOI-registered companies in order to ease the visa application process. Under the new system, authorities will issue an electronic work permit to the applicants instead of the work permit booklet currently in use.
Gaming Industry in the Philippines Part II – Online Gaming
In the second part of this Op-ed on the Philippine Gaming Industry, our Philippines correspondent Bob Shead focuses on the country’s online gaming industry. Together with the casino sector, the online gaming industry is of enormous importance to the country’s economy. Read more.
The Guide to Employment Permits for Foreign Workers in Laos
For expatriate workers and their employers in Laos, understanding the process to obtain a business visa and employment permit is essential. Read more about the various business visas and employment permits issued to expatriates planning to work in Laos.
