With new travel documentation requirements, flight cancelations, and closed borders, many have found themselves stranded in Myanmar. From tourists forced to extend their holidays, residents with stay permit to business visitors running close to expiry of their 70-day business visas, they all faced the same issue – how does one stay in Myanmar legally and […]

On 23 March 2020, in response to the spreading of COVID-19, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (“MLVT”) issued notification 009/20 requiring all employers to provide an updated list of the contact telephone numbers of all employees to the Department of Labor Inspection of the MLVT by 26 March 2020. Lists are to be emailed to [email protected]. […]

Sickness is a paid leave permitted by the Labor Law (Article 169). Therefore, during sickness, employer needs to pay the salary of his employee. Highlights of this note If an employee falls sick, who pay the salary? What if an employee wants to stay home to take care of children or school closed or child […]

With the emergence and spread of COVID-19, the sale of protective masks and antiseptic disinfectant have greatly increased to the extent that it has become difficult to buy them at a reasonable price.

On 12 March 2020, the Central Bank of Myanmar (“CBM”) issued Directive 1/2020 (the “Directive”) and reduced the maximum interest rates on secured and unsecured loans to 12.5% and 15.5% respectively.This marks a small deviation from Directive 1/2019, issued by CBM last year, when it announced maximum interest rates on secured and unsecured loans of […]

The spread of the novel coronavirus is creating a global emergency situation and negatively impacting almost every country in the world, including Cambodia. In response to this viral pandemic, the Royal Government of Cambodia, as well as the National Bank of Cambodia (“NBC”) is taking immediate action to steer the economy through this very difficult […]

After decades of highly controversial land acquisitions for public purposes, Myanmar turns a new page by passing the Land Acquisition, Resettlement, and Rehabilitation Law 2019 (Law no. 24/2019, referred to herein as the “LARR 2019”). Highlights of this note How does the new process work? The proposal required for starting the land acquisition process has […]

MIC has announced on 30 December 2019 (“Announcement”) on the new format for its quarterly report, the Myanmar Investment Commission (“MIC”). The new MIC quarterly report a uniform format for all investment sectors. This new format must be used starting from the January to March 2020 period. In addition to other usual items to be […]

Related party transactions are a frequent occurrence in Myanmar corporate life. When one company transacts with another company with which it has some sort of connection through shareholders, directors, family etc… Highlights of this note Board approval procedure under s. 187: Member approval procedure under s. 188: Different interpretations possible Clarification

On 15 November 2019, the Central Bank of Myanmar (“CBM”) issued Directive 18/2019 on 15 November 2019 on customer due diligence. The directive sets out guidelines for customer due diligence, and mandates that banks develop an effective framework and practices in order to conduct risk assessments and manage money laundering and terrorism financing risks. Highlights […]

On 7 November 2019 the Central Bank of Myanmar issued announcement confirming that a third round of foreign bank licensing will be initiated and opened to foreign banks with representative offices in Myanmar (the “Announcement”). Pursuant to the Announcement, foreign banks will be able to apply either for a branch or for a subsidiary license, […]

Please note that a Statement by the Internal Revenue Department, Yangon Region (“IRD”) has been issued regarding enforcing monthly Personal Income Tax (“PIT”) return filings and payments. This statement by the IRD states that as per the newly enforced Tax Administration Law (“TAL”) Section 40 (a) and Section 49(a), if the party responsible for deducting […]

On 19 August 2019, the Union Parliament of Myanmar, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, enacted Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Law (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law No. 24/2019) to replace the colonial-era Land Acquisition Act (1894) as well as to provide a legal framework for resettlement and rehabilitation for the first time in Myanmar. Highlights of this note Overview What’s […]

On 12 June 2019, the Division of Industry and Commerce, Vientiane (“DIC-Vte”) issued Instruction No. 0651 (the “Instruction”) regarding measures to be taken against the illegal operation of businesses by foreigners. The Instruction’s scope covers foreigners who operate unapproved businesses, defined as those who: Operate a business without an enterprise registration certificate (“ERC”) or business […]

On 4 June 2019, the Financial Regulatory Department (“FRD”) issued a letter (“Letter”) directing International Non-Governmental Organizations (“INGOs”) and Non-Governmental Organizations (“NGOs”) which provide microfinance services to register as companies and apply for fresh Microfinance Business License (“MFI License”). MFI License issued previously Pursuant to the Letter, FRD had previously issued MFI Licenses to 3 […]

On 5 June 2019, the Microfinance Business Supervisory Committee issued Directive 1/2019 (the “Directive”) which revises the interest rates applicable to micro-credits and savings of the members. New rates of interest The Directive introduces an interest rate of 28% on micro-credit (the “New Rate”) and provides illustrations with regard to calculating the effective rate of […]

The Central Bank of Myanmar (the “CBM”), by an announcement on 3 May 2019, noted that it does not recognize digital currencies as legal tender in Myanmar (the “Announcement”). The CBM further stated that any persons that engage in transactions involving digital currencies act at their own risk.  The Announcement, which is cautionary in nature, […]

With the recent celebration of our seventh anniversary as well as the upcoming Thingyan Festival in Myanmar, we at VDB Loi would like to thank you for your continued support. We are very pleased to share with you some of VDB Loi’s best moments and achievements over the past year. We are delighted to report […]

The Central Bank of Myanmar (the “CBM”) recently published several directives relating to corporate governance aspects of banks’ operation. Highlights of this note 1. Directive on Fit and Proper Criteria2. Directive on Directors of Bank3. Directive on Related Parties

Most of the insurance companies which Myanmar has licensed since the liberalization of the sector to the local, private sector in 2013 are actually composite insurance companies. Highlights of this note Life and Non-Life entities may not hold shares in each other Form one, not two new entities How to transfer the Life business to […]