Asia Briefing’s ASEAN Focused Regulatory and Operational Business Updates

← Back to Home Subscribe

March 26, 2026

View in browser

Weekly business and foreign investment news roundup in Asia

by Asia Briefing and Dezan Shira & Associates.

ASEAN EDITION

TOP STORIES THIS WEEK:

How Global Energy Price Volatility Could Affect Singapore’s Economy

As a major energy trading and bunkering hub, Singapore is highly exposed to global energy price swings, which affect domestic costs, shipping flows, and trading activity. For investors, this creates a dual impact—raising operational costs while also increasing transaction volumes across its energy and maritime sectors.

Singapore Subsidiary or Branch Office: How Foreign Companies Should Structure Market Entry

Foreign investors entering Singapore must choose between a subsidiary—offering limited liability, tax benefits, and scalability—or a branch office, which is quicker to set up but exposes the parent company to full liability. The decision depends on long-term strategy.

Indonesia’s QRIS Expansion Across APEC and What It Means for Businesses

Indonesia is scaling Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) interoperability across APEC economies to boost cross-border digital payments, particularly in tourism and retail sectors. QRIS has achieved nationwide adoption and already supports cross-border payments with countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Calculating Taxable Profit in Vietnam for Foreign-Invested Companies

Vietnam levies a 20% corporate income tax on taxable profit (not revenue), with incentives available for select sectors and zones. Taxable income is derived by adjusting accounting profit for non-deductible expenses, depreciation, and other regulatory requirements, leading to varied tax outcomes across companies.

Vietnam Foreign Contractor Tax Explained: A Guide for Cross-Border Payments

Cross-border transactions in Vietnam are subject to foreign contractor tax (FCT), a withholding mechanism combining VAT and CIT, impacting pricing, margins, and repatriation strategies. FCT has become a key financial consideration, with tax outcomes heavily dependent on transaction structuring and classification.

Laos Land Conversion Policy: New Entry Points for Foreign Investors

Laos is planning a selective policy to allow forest land conversion for priority sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and logistics, improving land access for strategic projects. Approval thresholds, land classification, and environmental compliance requirements will shape project feasibility, timelines, and overall investment costs.

We hope you're enjoying this ASEAN Edition.

To receive any of our other complimentary regional editions, including China, Vietnam, India, Middle East, or our Asia weekly round-up you can add or change subscriptions. Or newly subscribe a friend.

COMPLIMENTARY BUSINESS RESOURCES:

An Introduction to Doing Business in Indonesia 2026

This publication, designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in Indonesia, was compiled by the experts at Dezan Shira & Associates, a specialist foreign direct investment practice, that provides corporate establishment, business intelligence, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence, and ﬁnancial review services to multinationals investing in emerging Asia.

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2026

This publication is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in all 11 ASEAN countries and includes a guide to corporate establishment, tax advisory, and bookkeeping, in addition to HR and payroll, double tax agreements, and audit and compliance.

Do you have any feedback? Our teams would love to hear from you!