| | Weekly business and foreign investment news roundup in Asia by Asia Briefing and Dezan Shira & Associates. |
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| | | | Amid intensifying competition for foreign investment across ASEAN, Indonesia has moved to ease one of its most persistent entry barriers. The government has reduced the paid-up capital requirement for foreign-owned limited liability companies, known as PT PMAs, from IDR 10 billion (US $640,000) to IDR 2.5 billion (US $160,000). | | | | | Malaysia has officially extended the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution requirement to all foreign employees, effective October 1, 2025. The reform ends the long-standing exemption that allowed expatriate staff to opt out of the national retirement system. | | | | | The ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) has long been one of the region’s most comprehensive trade frameworks. With the Second Protocol entering into force in April 2025, the agreement has been modernized to reflect the realities of contemporary trade. | | | | | Tax filing in Vietnam is an executive responsibility because timing, system accuracy, and documentation quality determine cash flow, audit exposure, and the pace of profit repatriation. | | | | | Philippine employers must meet four key legal obligations: contribute to social security, provide health insurance, support employee savings, and withhold income tax. Each duty involves specific contribution rates, caps, and penalties that require regular monitoring. Because contribution rules are typically updated in January, CFOs need to review and implement annual changes promptly to maintain compliance and avoid costly lapses. |
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COMPLIMENTARY BUSINESS RESOURCES: | | | | | | | Vietnam is fast-tracking major tax reforms to align with global standards and adapt to rapid market shifts. Key changes in 2025 include a new Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Law, amended Value Added Tax (VAT) regulations, and updated invoicing rules – each reshaping the country’s compliance landscape. Vietnam’s Evolving Tax Regime: Compliance with New CIT, VAT, and Invoicing Rules provides practical guidance for CFOs, tax leaders, and foreign investors navigating these reforms. | | | | | This magazine provides a strategic outlook on turning Indonesia’s import and export systems into competitive tools - reducing costs, unlocking preferential rates, and positioning Indonesia as a launchpad for ASEAN growth. | | | |
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UPCOMING EVENTS FOR ASIA: | | | Webinar | Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 3:00 PM Sydney / 12:00 PM Singapore / 11:00 AM Vietnam | | | | | Webinar | Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 3:00 PM Singapore / 2:00 PM ICT / 5:00 PM Sydney / 9:00 AM CET | | | | | Wednesday, 22 October, 2025 | 3:00 PM Vietnam / 4:00 PM Singapore / 9:00 AM CET |
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