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Economy & Trade

Prabowo Subianto Becomes Indonesian President

04/25/2024

On April 22, 2024, Indonesia’s General Election Commission officially declared Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka as the next president and vice president respectively.

Singapore Designates Lawrence Wong as Prime Minister, Effective May 15

04/23/2024

Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will take over as Prime Minister in May from Lee Hsien Loong, who will step down after 20 years in office.

Lawrence Wong's Visit Boosts Singapore-Germany Relations

04/19/2024

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong recently concluded a visit to Germany. The visit focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and addressing global challenges.

Thailand Contemplates Protective Tariffs on Chinese Imports Amidst Surging Trade Deficit

04/16/2024

The Thai government is considering imposing a VAT on Chinese goods priced less than 1,500 baht (US$40) that are routed through Thailand’s free trade zones.

Philippines Signs Second Protocol of ASEAN-Australia-NZ FTA

04/08/2024

The Philippines ratified the Second Protocol of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).

Singapore's Ambitious AI Investment Plan

03/13/2024

Singapore aims to strengthen its position as a global business and innovation hub by investing more than S$1 billion into artificial intelligence over the next five years.

Tax & Accounting

Navigating Lao E-Commerce: Understanding the Latest Tax Regulations

04/15/2024

The Ministry of Finance of Laos issued regulation number 0558/MOF which sets out the latest guidance regarding tax obligations for e-commerce and digital platform providers.

Thailand Bolsters EV Support Scheme to Drive Adoption and Foster Battery Innovation

04/11/2024

Thailand’s National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee has approved new measures to support the uptake of e-buses, e-trucks, as well as the establishment of battery bases.

Malaysia’s Sales and Service Tax Increase: What Industries are Impacted?

04/03/2024

Malaysia has officially increased the sales and services tax rate from six percent to eight percent, which will impact several industries such as finance and leisure.

A Guide to Estimated Chargeable Income Filing in Singapore

03/25/2024

Incorporated companies in Singapore must file an Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) for each year of financial assessment.

Indonesia Issues New Tax Incentives to Spur EV Production and Sales

03/15/2024

Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance issued new tax incentives to spur electric vehicle production and sales in the country.

Key Tax Changes for Foreign Firms in Vietnam

02/22/2024

Changes to several taxes in Vietnam have taken effect in 2024. Some of these changes have been made to provide economic stimulus, whereas others have been made to bring Vietnam’s tax policies in line with international tax regimes.

Legal & Regulatory

Understanding Personal Data Protection in Singapore

04/18/2024

The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) provides baseline protection for personal data in Singapore.

Vietnam's Legal Framework for Personal Data Protection Initiated

04/09/2024

Vietnam announced the development of the Law on Personal Data Protection to bolster data privacy measures and align regulations for a more cohesive framework.

Navigating Data Protection Impact Assessments in Indonesia

04/02/2024

As part of Indonesia's data protection law, businesses must implement Data Protection Impact Assessments for activities involving the processing of high-risk personal data.

Exploring Indonesia's Personal Data Processing Practices: A Comprehensive Overview

03/31/2024

Under Indonesia's PDP Law, personal data processing activities must be conducted in a specific, legally valid, and transparent manner.

Digital Platforms Obligated to Pay for Media Content in Indonesia

03/27/2024

Indonesia’s President has signed a regulation that will require companies such as Meta and Google to pay news publishers to feature media content on their platforms.

Appointing a Data Protection Officer in Indonesia

03/20/2024

A data protection officer oversees the processing of personal data, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements.

Industries

Hanoi's Push to Become Southeast Asia's Semiconductor Hub

03/22/2024

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is taking measures to realize its ambition to become a hub for semiconductor production in Vietnam by 2050.

Indonesia’s Electric Battery Industrial Strategy

02/02/2024

Indonesia's ambitious targets in the electric battery industry offer a prime opportunity for strategic investments and partnerships.

Unlocking Opportunities: Malaysia Removes Visa Requirements for Chinese and Indian Travelers

01/24/2024

Malaysia has removed visa requirements for Chinese and Indian travelers as the country aims to boost its tourism industry.

Coal Production Goals vs. Environmental Responsibility: Indonesia's Dilemma in 2024

01/19/2024

With Indonesia aiming for a coal production of 710 million tons in 2024, the country is driving a delicate balance between economic growth and emission reduction.

Malaysia's Semiconductor Sector Beckons Foreign Investors

01/16/2024

Malaysia wants to develop its semiconductor industry beyond assembly and testing into more value-added production such as integrated circuit design.

Opportunities for Investors in Indonesia’s Cosmetics Industry

01/05/2024

We discuss the business opportunities catering to halal cosmetics and personal care products in Indonesia's beauty industry as domestic purchasing power increases.

HR & Payroll

Formalized Flexible Work Arrangements to Be Introduced in Singapore from December 2024

04/21/2024

Singapore is set to implement new guidelines requiring all employers to have a formal process in place for workers to request flexible work arrangements, starting December 2024.

New Salary Criteria for Hiring Foreign Executives in Singapore

03/28/2024

Singapore will increase the salary criteria for foreign executives and professionals working in the country from January 1, 2025.

Religious Holiday Allowances in Indonesia: Obligations for Businesses

03/19/2024

With the upcoming Eid-al Fitr holiday in Indonesia, businesses must pay the religious holiday allowance, also known as Tunjangan Hari Raya (THR).

Malaysia’s Revised Residency Program: Tackling Cost Concerns

03/06/2024

Malaysia’s government revised its residency program, the Malaysia My Second Home program, and eased the requirements by which foreigners are eligible for the residency permit.

Updates on Indonesia's Social Security Schemes

02/27/2024

The Indonesian Government introduced the second amendment to the Work Accident Benefit and the Life Insurance social security programs.

Boosting Tourism: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore Target Chinese Travel Spending

02/09/2024

Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore are offering visa-free travel to Chinese tourists during the first Spring Festival (Chinese New Year / CNY) holiday since Beijing lifted pandemic travel restrictions.

Our firm Dezan Shira & Associates provides legal, tax and operational advisory across Asia.
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