On 10 March 2026, the Decision on the Management of Lao PDR Cash Inflows and Outflows No. 140/BOL dated 18 February 2026, which was issued by the Bank of the Lao PDR (“BOL”), was published in the Lao Official Gazette. This decision replaces the provisions on cash transactions into and out of the Lao PDR […]

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 7 January 2026, the Central Bank of Myanmar (“CBM”) issued Notification 2/2026, lowering the percentage of foreign currency from export earnings that must be converted into MMK from 25% to 15%. The new rate applies retroactively from 1 January 2026. For background, the CBM introduced this conversion requirement in Notification 12/2022 dated 3 April […]

On 9 September 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (“MOIC”) issued Decision No. 2025/IC on Enterprise Capital Contributions, providing detailed guidelines for implementation of provisions regarding investors’ capital contributions under the Enterprise Law. The key highlights are summarized below. Capital contribution deadline Registered capital (in cash or in kind) must be fully contributed within […]

Under this circular, the Bangladesh Bank has relaxed foreign currency retention rules for Type B and Type C industrial enterprises operating in specialized economic zones, including export processing zones (“EPZs”), private EPZs, economic zones, and high-tech parks. With this update, the central bank has brought the retention facilities of specialized zone exporters in line with […]

On 18 August 2025, the Non-Bank Financial Institution Supervision Department of the Bank of the Lao PDR (“BOL”) issued Notice No. 1509, announcing a suspension of registration and a temporary halt on accepting applications for the establishment of branches and service units of non-bank financial institutions. This suspension is imposed as the BOL is considering […]

Under the monetary policy’s Interest Rate Corridor framework, the BB has reduced the standing deposit facility rate by 50 basis points—from 8.50% to 8.00%—in order to enhance the efficiency of the interbank money market (call money market) and strengthen liquidity management. The ceiling rate for the standing lending facility will remain at 11.50%, while the […]

Banks in Bangladesh can now extend loans in BDT to resident companies and individuals by accepting foreign currency deposits held by offshore banking units (“OBUs”) as collateral. This facility also applies to expatriate Bangladeshis, who may pledge their OBU foreign currency deposits to secure loans. According to the circular, “To facilitate financing activities, it has […]

Aiming to standardize and streamline the licensing procedures, enhance compliance, and promote greater transparency in foreign exchange operations, this circular sets out new guidelines for scheduled bank branches, booths, hotels, gift shops, and other entities providing limited money changer services. They set out clear provisions for license issuance, renewal, permissible activities, and operational restrictions. Under […]

This circular expands the scope of services for offshore banking units (“OBUs”). It augments FE Circular No. 11 dated 30 January 2025 on Guidelines for the Offshore Banking Business of Scheduled Commercial Banks in Bangladesh, which provides operational instructions for OBUs, among other directives. The key highlights are provided below. Expansion of services for non-resident […]

To support the development of professional skills, authorized dealers (“ADs”) are permitted to process remittances for students enrolling in correspondence or distance certification courses offered by foreign professional or educational institutions, specifically for the purpose of sitting for professional examinations. ADs must verify the following documents before processing such remittances: Key Conditions:

To support the country’s economic recovery, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, the Ministry of Planning and Finance issued Notification No. 39/2025 dated 4 June 2025 to provide relief from customs duty on the importation of fuel-powered vehicles. Under the Myanmar Customs Tariff 2022 (“MCT 2022”), passenger cars imported under the completely built-up (“CBU”) system […]

On 22 April 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Lao PDR (“MOIC”) issued the Decision on Gold Trading Businesses Conducted on Electronic Platforms No. 0666/MOIC, to regulate the operation of gold trading businesses conducted via electronic platforms, including licensing to operate such a business. It provides key definitions as follows: The decision […]

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 […]

The Bangladesh Bank has introduced greater operational flexibility for non-resident Bangladeshis maintaining foreign currency accounts. Building on the provisions of FE Circular No. 10 dated 8 May 2024, this new directive allows non-resident Bangladeshis to open private foreign currency and non-resident foreign currency deposit accounts not only in approved foreign currencies but also in other […]

The Bangladesh Bank has introduced further flexibility in handling import-related remittances. As per the revised policy, authorized dealers (“ADs”) may now make remittances against discrepant import documents—documents that do not fully comply with the original terms—if the discrepancies are waived by the importers on reasonable grounds that are acceptable to the ADs. However, these waivers […]

The Bangladesh Bank has introduced a policy to facilitate easier access to international roaming services for Bangladeshi travelers. Mobile operators in Bangladesh are now allowed to accept roaming service payments in Taka from their customers, subject to a limit of BDT6,000 per trip and a maximum of BDT30,000 in a calendar year. These limits apply […]

To streamline international examination fee payments while maintaining regulatory oversight and financial transparency, the Bangladesh Bank now allows authorized dealers (“ADs”) to release foreign exchange not only for international admission tests like the TOEFL and the SAT, but also for admission, registration, and examination fees for secondary and higher secondary equivalent education at recognized foreign […]

The National Board of Revenue (“NBR”) introduced the Customs Risk Management Regulations, 2025 to address various economic threats, including money laundering and the financing of terrorism, as well as proceeds of crime, illegal financial activities, tax and customs evasion, and transnational organized economic crimes. To implement the regulations, the NBR will establish a dedicated Customs […]

The Lao kip has shown signs of stabilization in its exchange rate against the US dollar and Thai baht in recent months. These two foreign currencies remain the most widely used foreign currencies in the Lao PDR, playing a crucial role in trade and economic transactions. To strengthen the management and stability of foreign currency […]