Cryptocurrency trading is not new and attracts a lot of participants. However, there is currently lacking of a full legal framework to recognize the cryptocurrency whether as an asset or goods and thus can be traded under Vietnam regulations. According to the Article 105 of the 2015 Civil Code: “1. Property is objects, money, valuable […]

The State Administration Council enacted Law No. 1/2022 on Amending the Union Tax Law 2021 (“Amended UTL 2021”) on 6 January 2022 to increase the commercial tax rate over internet services and expand the income layers of undisclosed sources of income for the financial year 2021-2022. The Amended UTL 2021 took effect on 8 January […]

Two large forthcoming telecom tower deals are poised to change the communications landscape in Bangladesh. Axiata’s Robi has recently announced it will sell all of its towers, approximately 2,470 in total. A few weeks ago, another carrier Banglalink, the third-largest carrier, announced it will sell 5,500 towers of its total of 6,500. Both processes are […]

The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) is a treaty of the World Trade Organization (WTO) which entered into force in January 1995 as a result of the Uruguay Round negotiations. The treaty was created to extend the multilateral trading system to service sector, in the same way the General Agreement on Tariffs and […]

The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has issued a list of standards and rules applicable to e-commerce operators, the Digital Commerce Operational Guidelines 2021 (“the Guidelines”). Highlights of this note Are these Guidelines legally binding? To whom do the Guidelines apply? To the sellers only or also to the online platforms that facilitate third party sellers? […]

Overview According to a report by Vietnam e-Commerce and Digital Economy Agency (governed by Ministry of Industry and Trade), with 53% of the population shopping online, the e-commerce market in Vietnam grew by 18% in 2020, reaching 11.8 billion USD, which accounted for 5.5% of total retail sales of consumer goods and services. According to […]

As part of a wider enhancement of digital public services, and to improve the business and investment environment, the Royal Government of Cambodia launched Phase 2 of its online business registration platform, known as the “Single Portal,” on 1 September 2021. The move comes a little over a year after Phase 1 of Single Portal […]

Prakas No. 100 on Conditions and Procedures of Granting Permits to Companies Providing Digital Services for Road Transportation, dated 21 June 2021 (“Prakas 100”) were recently issued. Highlights of this note Process and required documentation Time frame Validity Renewal Ongoing obligations post registration

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 […]

With the current drastic increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in Cambodia and to help prevent the spread of contagious diseases, the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia enacted the Law on Measures to Prevent COVID-19 and Other Fatal and Harmful Diseases on 11 March 2021 (the “COVID Law”) and Sub-Decree No. 37 […]

Following an attempt to push forward the draft Cybersecurity Law as circulated to telecom licensees on 9 February 2021, the Government installed by the Myanmar Military on 16 February 2021 has changed direction. Instead of passing the new law to repeal the Electronic Transaction Law, it amended the Electronic Transaction Law to incorporate part of the stipulations under the draft Cybersecurity Law. The […]

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 […]

The Corona Pandemic hits Myanmar nearly at the same time as the new Insolvency Law 2020 (“the IL” was enacted on 14 February 2020). We all hope that the damage to the Myanmar economy will be as limited as possible, but it does not hurt to prepare for tough times ahead. Highlights of this note […]