Other Briefings
Cambodia Recognizes First Patent Application
Cambodia has recognized its first-ever patent application, marking a landmark for legal services provision in the country. The country has had a patent law in place since 2003, enacted as part of the countries WTO obligations, however has struggled with the internal mechanisms required to enable it to actively process such applications.
ASEAN Case Study: The Auto Industry and GM
With the ASEAN Economic Community going into effect at the end of this year, many companies are now seriously considering moving their operations to the region. However, the question remains as to where in ASEAN to base your business. As such, it is helpful to consider corporations that have made the move to ASEAN in the past and to try and understand their reasons for doing so. We delve into GM’s expansion into the region and provide snapshots of their operations in a few key countries.
Understanding Inheritance and Estate Tax in ASEAN
Inheritance and estate taxes (sometimes referred to as “death taxes”) can have a significant financial effect upon your assets if you are not ready for their imposition. While ASEAN is working to standardize many financial regulations throughout the economic community, inheritance and estate taxes are still imposed differently depending on the country.
British Firms Encouraged to Expand into the Philippines
British firms are being encouraged to set up shop in the Philippines in order to take advantage of this up and coming Southeast Asian country. Last week, in a recent sign of the growing business relations between the two countries, British Ambassador to the Philippines, Asif Ahmad, hosted the Great British Festival in Manila.
Malaysia GST Implementation on April 1, 2015
The Malaysian government is preparing to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on April 1, 2015.
March 2015 ASEAN Regional Meetings
March will see a number of important ASEAN regional meetings; these include the ASEAN-OECD Conference and Meetings on Good Regulatory Practice held in Kuala Lumpur and the ASEAN-EU Science, Technology and Innovation Days held in Paris.
Understanding how Singapore’s Budget 2015 will Affect Your Business
On Monday, February 23rd, Singapore’s Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, announced the release of the country’s Budget 2015, which, among welfare benefits for senior citizens, will have a number of important consequences for businesses.
Thailand’s Government to Cut Land and Buildings Tax and CIT Rates on SMEs
Thailand’s government has announced that it will be cutting the tax rates on its Land and Building tax, as well as on its Corporate Income Tax rates for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Philippines Expands the Number of Taxpayers Included in its e-Tax Filing Program
The Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has announced that it has expanded the number of taxpayers who must now use e-filing to pay their taxes. This action is intended to make filing tax returns simpler and encourage more tax compliance from taxpayers.
Services Now Over 25 Percent of Singapore’s Exports
Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry announces that services now make up a quarter of the country’s exports, reflecting a structural shift in exports in which services are growing faster than goods.
