Other Briefings
Indonesia’s Ban on Raw Mineral Exports Takes Effect
On Sunday, January 12th, Indonesia’s controversial ban on raw mineral ore exports took effect an hour after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed off on some eleventh hour exemptions. The rationale behind the ban is to encourage the domestic processing of raw mineral ore into higher value metal products. The hope is that a greater share […]
Made in ASEAN: Vietnam Cuts Import Taxes for ASEAN-made Vehicles
Ho Chi Minh City – As of January 1, 2014, vehicles imported from other ASEAN countries to Vietnam are eligible to receive a 10-50 percent tax cut following the 2008 ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). The new tax rate for vehicles imported into Vietnam from ASEAN nations is displayed in the following chart: ASEAN […]
Moody’s Upgrades Philippines Rating
Oct. 4 – The Philippines has been upgraded by Moody’s to an investment rank of Baa3, citing “robust economic performance”, “ongoing fiscal and debt consolidation” and “political stability and improved governance.” Both Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poors have also upgraded the Philippines’ ranking. The Philippines’ economy has grown at 7.5 percent this year, one […]
Myanmar to Open Stock Exchange
Jul. 18 – Myanmar is currently working to pass a new securities law bill recently introduced to its lower house of parliament and, as a result, the country is now shooting to have its own stock exchange by the end of this year. The stock exchange will be established shortly after the bill – entitled […]
How to Avoid Double Taxation in Vietnam
May 23 – Both foreign and domestic residents of Vietnam are able to obtain reductions and exemptions on their taxes through a variety of different methods. Thanks to the DTAAs that Vietnam has, the tax reductions and exemptions you may be subject to are easy to understand and to take advantage of – all you […]
Philippines’ Midterm Elections Take Place, Stocks Rally
May 21 – The Philippines’ 2013 midterm general elections were held last week, with 12 senate seats to be filled and 229 district seats up for grabs in the House of Representatives. Full results can be found here. Nine of the twelve senate seats and 114 district seats were won by members of incumbent President […]
Malaysia’s Post-Election Rally
May 17 – Last week during the national elections in Malaysia, the National Front Coalition (NFC), the party that has governed Malaysia for 56 consecutive years, won a majority of the country’s parliamentary seats to officially extend its reign. The NFC first obtained majority after Malaysia declared independence from Britain in 1957, and has won 13 […]
Introduction to Double Taxation Avoidance in Vietnam
May 16 – With regard to international trade, the various countries’ tax systems oftentimes put global investors in the unfavorable position of having to face redundant taxes on their income —i.e., double taxes . For example, a company may be subject to taxes in its country of residence and also in the countries where it […]
FTSE & ASEAN Join Together Over Joint Indices
May 10 – The FTSE Group and five ASEAN stock exchanges (the Bursa Malaysia Exchange, the Indonesian Stock Exchange, the Philippines Stock Exchange, the Singapore Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Thailand) have joined forces to launch a unique and innovative set of indices known as the FTSE/ASEAN Index series. The FTSE/ASEAN venture provides […]
ASEAN+3 Further Promotes Regional Financial Cooperation
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Japan, China and South Korea (ASEAN Plus Three) have decided to further promote regional financial cooperation at the recent ASEAN Plus Three meeting held last Friday in India.
