Other Briefings
ASEAN Regional Meetings 2014
There are a number of important ASEAN regional meetings taking place in November, including the Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and the 25th ASEAN summit, which will also be attended by high level representatives of China, Japan, Korea, India, the United States, and Australia.
Trade Ministers Report Progress on Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Trade Ministers and Heads of Delegation for the nations involved in the negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) have reported significant progress in the talks over market access and trade and investment rules. The recent talks took place in Canberra, Australia on October 25-27.
ASEAN Update: Understanding the Geopolitics of the South China Sea Dispute
In recent years, the South China Sea has become a key area of concern for the ASEAN organization. In the face of an increasingly expansionary China, ASEAN has often seemed slow to react and unsure of what strategy it should pursue. While there are options in place, such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), there has been little unity in the actions of the ten member nations.
Malaysia to Implement Lowest ASEAN Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Beginning in April 2015, Malaysia will introduce a goods and services tax (GST) of six percent – the lowest rate in the ASEAN region. The new GST will replace the country’s current sales and services taxes. 2015 will also see the release of Malaysia’s new budget.
The new tax regime is intended to increase the competitiveness of Malaysia’s exports, which will be zero rated. Additionally, a number of special schemes will be implemented in order to support the cash flow of exporters – such as, allowing companies to defer accounting for GST on temporarily imported goods for re-export.
Outlook on ASEAN Investment 2015
Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are surging ahead of their regional neighbors, with FDI increases of 17, 19 and 20.4 percent, respectively, in 2013, according to Bank of America Merill Lynch. Meanwhile, Singapore continues to receive the lion’s share of total FDI in the region, which last year grew five percent to a net value of nearly US$64 billion. The city-state’s attraction for foreign investors derives not only from its often overlooked manufacturing base, but also as a channel for routing FDI into other locations in ASEAN.
October 2014 ASEAN Regional Meetings
There are a number of important ASEAN regional meetings taking place in October, including two events related to intellectual property rights in Manila, and committee meetings on ASEAN-Korea and ASEAN-Japan bilateral relations.
Vietnam Ranks as 2nd Most Attractive Nation in ASEAN for US Business
According to survey results recently released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, Vietnam is the second most popular destination for U.S. business expansion among the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Indonesia took the top position.
September 2014 ASEAN Regional Meetings
There are a number of important ASEAN regional meetings taking place in September, including the General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly and the Forum on Good Governance.
ASEAN +3 Bolsters Financial Assistance in the Region
An expanded financial assistance pool among the ASEAN +3 nations was implemented last week, strengthening financial cooperation within the region.
New ASEAN-RCEP Talks Held in Singapore
Leaders of 16 Asia-Pacific nations gathered in Singapore last week for the fifth round of negotiations for the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
