On 5 October 2021, the Royal Government of Cambodia issued the Law on Competition (“Competition Law”) with the aim to provide a more fair and harmonized business environment. Subsequently, on 17 February 2022, Sub-Decree 37 was issued to form the Cambodia Competition Committee (“CCC”) as the authority to enforce implementation of the Competition Law. Furthering […]

A remarkable change has been added to the Evidence Act of Bangladesh. The amended law said that in a prosecution for an offense of rape or attempt to rape, no question can be asked in the cross-examination as to the general immoral character or previous sexual behavior of the victim, such questions can only be […]

The “Plaintiff” operates a travel agency and an air freight cargo handling business in Bangladesh. To extend its business, Plaintiff entered into a General Sale Agent(“GSA”) and General Sales & Service Agent (“GSSA”) agreement with a foreign air (“Respondent”) operator on 1st September 2008. The agreement was later renewed in 2013. Thereafter, the Respondent terminated […]

As the costs of essential commodities continue to soar, driven by the unfettered weakening of the Lao Kip (“LAK”), the pandemic, and other external factors, many people in the Lao PDR are having a hard time making ends meet. In consideration of the ongoing monetary crisis and following a tripartite discussion between the Lao Federation […]

In this briefing the team of VDB Loi (Vietnam) answers to the most frequently raised questions relating to the provision of foreign loans to companies in Vietnam. This article generally assumes that parties are looking to implement long-term financing for a company registered in Vietnam. Note that additional requirements may apply to certain specifically regulated […]

In 2009, Bangladesh lost its first and so far only international investment arbitration against an Italian specialized construction company for the energy sector. It was a painful experience for Bangladesh whose counsel team had mounted a valiant and intelligent defense.

Three years on from the issuance of the Law on Trusts (dated 2 January 2019), the Non-Banking Financial Services Authority (“NBFSA”) issued Prakas No. 003 F.S.A.PrK on 26 January 2022 on Rules for the Management, Establishment, and Functioning of Trusts (“Prakas”) to set out the rules, conditions, and procedures on the establishment of trusts, their […]

In the wake of a 2019 Supreme Court decision allowing Bangladesh courts to issue injunctions in support of foreign arbitration procedures, international commercial disputes with a Bangladesh angle might soon get a lot more complicated. Highlights of this note What happened in the case? What is the dispute before the Bangladesh court? Why would it […]

Dubbed by some “an economic miracle”, even the global pandemic has not been able to stamp out Bangladesh’s upward development trajectory. It eked out its larger neighbor India in terms of GDP growth according to World Bank reporting, at least in 2021, and its projected GDP growth for 2022 is higher than that of Pakistan, […]

Recently a district court in Myanmar has granted an execution order to approve enforcement of a foreign court judgment against defendants in Myanmar. The case concerns a complex foreign arbitration on an infrastructure project which has dragged on for many years. After a foreign party won the foreign arbitration proceeding, the Myanmar defendant refused to […]

In order to reduce and relieve the economic impact from the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Lao PDR, the Prime Minister’s Office has issued Notice No. 532/PMO dated 20 May 2021 (the “Notice”) specifying policies for further implementation by the relevant governmental authorities. 1. Tax policies Exemption from personal income tax for […]

On 10 May 2021, the Division of Health of Vientiane Capital (“DH.VTE”) issued Notice No. 378/DH (the “Notice”) requiring that those wishing to travel in and out of Vientiane Capital must apply for a permit from the COVID-19 Taskforce Committee to travel during the lockdown period up to 20 May 2021, or a further lockdown […]

On the night of 14 April, the Cambodian Government ordered a number of restrictions in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 infections by means of Decision nr. 49 SR dated 14 April 2021 (“Decision 49“). The regulation was follow up by an amendment providing some additional details by Decision nr. 50 dated 17 April […]

In accordance with the recent Government directed business closures and stay-at-home orders, we would like to inform you as follows: VDB Loi in Phnom Penh will continue to operate, with the help of our cloud technology, through online processes and work-from-home.  Tax filings and government filings will continue insofar these are possible by distance/online. Tax […]

Clients have been often raising queries relating to the process and actions required to arrange for a travel to Myanmar by an expatriate employee. There are many cases when people have been outside of Myanmar since the beginning of 2020. For many, their previously issued Myanmar visas are about to expire. Although modern technology allows […]

In response to several COVID incidents linked to international travel and foreign diplomats, the Cambodian Ministry of Health is sharpening the measures applicable to most international travelers arriving in the country.

Employers should be aware that 2021 labor compliance deadlines are approaching. The period to apply to the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (“MLVT”) for the 2021 quota approval for foreign employees is now open and runs from 1 September 2020 to 30 November 2020. Applications for work permit renewals for 2021 are to be […]

Today sees the entry into force of the new Law on Land No. 70/NA dated 21 June 2019 (the “2019 Land Law”), which among other things, includes new provisions concerning the limited ownership of land-use rights by foreigners under certain circumstances, and the limited ownership of individual units in a condominium or apartment building. This […]

The Law on Insurance (amended) No. 78/NA dated 29 November 2019, (the “Amended Insurance Law”) came into effect on 14 April 2020, after it was promulgated by the President of the Lao PDR on 10 January 2020 and published in the Official Gazette on 30 March 2020. The Amended Insurance Law has effectuated several major […]

With the recent drastic measures taken by the government of the Lao PDR to control the spread of COVID-19 in the community, the economy is in a precarious position as trade, investment, tourism, and growth have come to an indeterminate halt. As per the World Bank, the global economy could shrink by 1 per cent […]