Overview On 13 May 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (“MOIC”) issued Decision No. 1338 (the “Decision”) to strengthen enforcement of the Enterprise Law by introducing clear fines and administrative measures for non-compliance. The Decision enters into force on 27 June 2026. The Decision covers 17 categories of violations across: In addition to fines, […]

With the publication of Decision No. 1470/MOH on the Registration and Notification of Medical Devices dated 11 July 2023 (“Decision 2023”) on the Lao Official Gazette website earlier this year, we wanted to provide a brief overview of its provisions. Decision 2023 sets out guidelines for registration and notification procedures relating to medical devices, and […]

On 5 February 2026, the Government of the Lao PDR issued the Decree on Local Employees Working with International Organizations in the Lao PDR No. 12/GOL (“Decree 2026”), replacing previous decree no. 456/GOL issued in 2010. Decree 2026 entered into force on 23 March 2026 and was subsequently published in the Lao Official Gazette website […]

On 16th March 2026, the Myanmar Accountancy Council (“MAC”) issued Notification 19/2026 regarding the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Entities (“MSMEs”) exercising its authority under Section 17(d) of the Myanmar Accountancy Council Law (“MAC Law”) starting from the financial year 2027-2028. This Notification officially revokes the previous Notification […]

Based on guidance issued by the World Health Organization specifying that the use of e-cigarettes poses significant health risks and is a public health concern, on 18 February 2026, the Ministry of Health issued Order No. 8/2026(“Order 8”),designating e-cigarettes, e-shisha, and related products as essential goods, and prohibiting the importation, exportation, sale, possession, storage, distribution, […]

In brief: Introduction Share transfers are often perceived by investors as a private commercial matter between a buyer and a seller. In the Lao PDR, however, a share transfer, particularly where a foreign investor is involved, is a regulated corporate and investment transaction, subject to multiple layers of legal and administrative approval. In practice, many […]

On 17 December 2025, the Myanmar Ministry of Information (“MOI”) announced that the Department of Information and Public Relations (“DIPR”) is accepting license applications for the expanded list of film business activities in accordance with the 20 December 2024 Law Amending the Motion Pictures Law 1996 (the “Amended Law”). The Amended Law expanded the list […]

Generally, companies incorporated in Myanmar are required to comply with the Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (“MCL”) and its implementing regulations, as well as various other laws and regulations that are relevant to their business activities. Companies that do not comply with are generally subject to administrative actions taken by the Directorate of Investments and Companies […]

On 30 June 2025, the Central Bank of Myanmar (“CBM”) blacklisted 197 companies and their directors for not having repatriated their export earnings during the period 2016 to 2020. It also suspended the companies’ export/import certificates. Administrative actions are now being taken against these blacklisted companies and their directors as specified under the Foreign Exchange […]

The Government of Bangladesh has introduced a new benefit for exporters in certain industries who do not have a warehouse license. This new rule, detailed in S.R.O. No. 384-Law/2025/106/Customs, allows these businesses to import raw materials for export production without paying taxes upfront. Instead of paying import duty, VAT, and other taxes in cash, eligible […]

The Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (“DICA”) issued an announcement on 1 September 2025 summarizing the key corporate compliance requirements for companies registered under the Myanmar Companies Law, 2017 (“MCL”). The major points are highlighted below with our further comments. Annual return filing (Section 97 of the MCL) The following supporting documents must be […]

On 20 August 2025, the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (the “DICA”) issued an announcement, reminding all companies that their registered office address must be an actual physical location, which all official communications and notices can be sent to, and requiring the companies to notify the DICA of any changes of their office address […]

On 13 June 2025, the Food and Drug Administration Department (“FDA”) under the Ministry of Health issued an announcement outlining new requirements relating to the renewal of domestic food production certificates below: Key Requirements and Updates Late Payments before Submission of Renewal Applications As per Directive No. 4/2020, businesses that fail to renew their domestic […]

On 15 August 2025, the Department of Immigration of the Lao PDR issued the Notice No. 3291 to announce a pilot program allowing foreign travelers to register their entry and exit online. This digital system is designed to make travel easier, reduce administrative burdens, and strengthen border security. The pilot period will commence on 1 […]

The Ministry of Commerce has officially released the Trade Organization Rules 2025 through a gazette notification, marking a significant step toward strengthening transparency, discipline, and professionalism within the country’s trade organizations. These newly introduced rules outline comprehensive guidelines for the formation, registration, governance, and day-to-day operations of trade bodies across Bangladesh. One of the most […]

On 7 May 2025, the Ministry of Planning and Finance issued Notification No. 29/2025 (“Notification 29”) implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (“RCEP”) tariff reductions based on the 2017 HS Code version. Myanmar signed the RCEP agreement in 2020, along with 14 other Asia-Pacific countries. The agreement entered into force for Myanmar on 1 January […]

General Understanding of the Lao constitution The Lao Official Gazette published the proposed draft amendment to the Constitution of the Lao PDR on 23 January 2025 (“Draft Amendment”), inviting public feedback and consultation. The most recent revision occurred in 2015, so the current Constitution has been in effect for a decade. The Constitution of the […]

The government of the Lao PDR offers domestic and foreign investors investment opportunities through 21 special economic zones (“SEZs”), which are designed to attract investment from the private sector, develop public infrastructure in its area, and boost economic growth and innovation. With incentives, straightforward regulatory processes incorporating one-stop service frameworks, and access to regional and […]

The amended Investment Promotion Law No. 62/NA dated 28 June 2024 (“Investment Promotion Law 2024”) was published in the Lao Official Gazette and came into effect on 16 December 2024, replacing the Investment Promotion Law 2016 and the Law on Amendment of Article 12 of the Investment Promotion Law 2019. The law was amended to […]

The Directorate of Investment and Administration (“DICA”) announced that starting on 8 January 2025, supporting documents in compliance with Sections 83 and 189 of the Myanmar Companies Law 2017 on the transfer of shares, and the appointment and resignation of directors are required to be submitted via [email protected] or [email protected]. The aim of this requirement […]