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 ordinance, which was approved by the Advisory Council, repeals the Rapid Enhancement of Supply of Electricity and Energy (Special Provisions) Act, 2010. While repealing the law does not cancel the contracts established under it, the government retains the authority to re-evaluate these agreements, if deemed necessary.

Under the powers granted by Section 76, subsection (1) of the Income Tax Act, 2023 (Act No. 12 of 2023), and subject to certain conditions, the National Board of Revenue is providing an income tax exemption under the Private Sector Power Generation Policy of Bangladesh to independent power producers who operate under the Build Own […]

The long-awaited regulation relating to the direct power purchase mechanism has been officially issued in Vietnam. The key highlights include: Direct power purchase can be conducted in 2 forms: Opportunities unlocked The DPPA Decree 80 re-ignites the interest of more local and international developers in the Vietnam’s energy sector, in particular the renewables.    After a […]

Converting farmland for commercial purposes (La Ya 30) in Myanmar involves navigating detailed processes and complying with specific regulations based on Myanmar law. Recently, we successfully obtained a La Ya 30 permit for a power generation project in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State, which involved two types of lands. We first obtained Form 15a, issued by the […]

A reference guide to the latest updates in the energy market regulations in Vietnam, including sources of tariff regulation, PPA templates, energy price calculation formulas and lists of approved power projects.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission recently released electricity grid code regulations to address the management of various aspects of Bangladesh’s electricity transmission system. Structure The Grid Code is divided into the following sections: i. Grid code management: This section outlines the responsibilities of the transmission licensee, the establishment and functioning of the grid code review […]

Vietnam is emerging as a key player in Southeast Asia’s semiconductor scene. This article examines Vietnam’s regulatory developments and framework that strengthen and provide incentives for the growth of the semiconductor sector, including tax breaks, industry support, global partnerships, and an overview of business establishment, M&A and licensing processes.

为了将线下监控系统转变为线上监控系统，缅甸投资委员会（简称“MIC”）于2024年2月21日发布了通知（简称“通知”），宣布持有许可证或认可的公司将有更多时间重新注册并将数据录入新的缅甸投资在线（简称“MyinO”）系统。这也意味着与这些公司外国员工相关的申请的过渡期也延长了，允许截止日期2024年6月30日前，继续以纸质形式提交申请。 因此，无论您是考虑申请投资许可证，或已经拥有许可证，或打算为您的缅甸投资业务雇佣外国专家，以下是您需要了解的关键细节： 需要重新录入到系统的数据是什么？ 根据该通知，持有投资许可证的公司，必须确保重新输入所有与投资相关数据，包括许可证颁发日期后所做的任何活动或投资变更。 重新录入数据的过渡期是什么时候？ 数据重新录入和提交与公司外国员工相关的申请的过渡期从原定的截止日期2023年9月1日延长至2024年6月30日。此日期之后，所有外国员工任命申请只能通过MyInO系统进行提交。 所有投资许可证持有者都必须在MyinO系统中重新录入信息吗？ 虽然没有明确规定必须重新注册，但实际上，这对于申请处理是必要的，因为只有在投资数据录入系统后，才能进行后续的申请提交。 关于外国专家任命的申请如何提交？ 在过渡期间，所有与外国专家相关的事务，如任命外国专家（工作居留许可）、调整员工人数以及管理外国专家的辞职，仍然可以通过邮寄或现场递交，除此之外，还可以在重新录入数据后通过MyInO提交。然而，在过渡期结束后（即根据通告为2024年6月30日），此类外国员工任命只能通过在线提交进行。 如果不遵守通知的后果是什么？ 尽管投资公司在MyinO的数据重新录入并非强制性的，但如果未能这样做，将无法在线提交工作许可申请，也不再接受现场提交。因此，建议所有投资许可证持有者尽快重新录入信息，以免对公司业务运营造成延误，因为重新录入信息过程可能需要时间。 如果您有任何疑问或需要帮助，请联系您的VDB Loi专属顾问。

On 21 February 2024, the Myanmar Investment Commission (“MIC”) announced an extension of the deadline for companies holding MIC permits or endorsements to re-register and enter all their existing data into the new Myanmar investment online system (“MyInO”) to 30 June 2024. This also means an extension of the transition period for applications related to […]

Following where China has been spending and investing its Belt & Road Initiative (“BRI”) capital can provide FDI clues and reveal new opportunities in recipient countries. As infrastructure builds start to yield productive user cashflows and the need for subsequent support services arises, case studies for investment potential become apparent. In this new series, we […]

The engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) contract constitutes an important component when implementing a project. In this article, we will examine some practical issues related to EPC contracts in the context of cross-border M&A transactions from the perspective of Cambodian laws and practices. Highlights

With the aim of shifting to clean energy, the Royal Government of Cambodia (“RGC”) has included solar power projects as an area of focus in the country’s energy development vision to 2040. Recent years have seen a number of new solar projects being approved, such as the 100MW national solar park. Existing developers might also […]

To partially comply with a three-year-old directive from the Financial Reporting Council (“FRC”), the state-run electricity transmission and distribution service provider, Power Grid Company, has chosen to issue shares using government funds. In 2020, the FRC directed state-run companies to convert share money deposits into paid-up capital as such funds were piling up in huge […]

The Electricite de Cambodge (“EDC“) has shared its newest Power Development Plan with key stakeholders. We exclusively provide this link for our clients and contacts. EDC plans a radical shift towards Renewable Energy before 2030, especially more solar amounting to 3 GW solar by 2040, and a big push in biomass. No more coal and […]

Vietnam office of VDB Loi provides an outline of key points that investors need to know about the newly adopted Power Development Plan in Vietnam, provide a link to the list of included energy projects and also a summary of the next round of regulatory developments that are expected over 2023 in Vietnam.

Aiming to maintain an uninterrupted flow of money required for power generation to import fuel oil and other raw materials in the power sector, any organization or group generating power can borrow any amount from a bank. The central bank has waived, for the purpose of lending to electricity producers, the provision of Section 26B(1) […]

Regional power trades are on the rise in South East Asia. Historically, Laos is a major exporter of mostly hydropower in the region, reaching nearly 2 billion US$ in 2022 to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. And the exported amount keeps growing. For example, Laos and Vietnam have signed another 3000 to 5000 MW of power […]

Regional power trades are on the rise in South East Asia. Historically, Laos is a major exporter of mostly hydropower in the region, reaching nearly 2 billion US$ in 2022 to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. And the exported amount keeps growing. For example, Laos and Vietnam have signed another 3000 to 5000 MW of power […]

Regional power trades are on the rise in South East Asia. Historically, Laos is a major exporter of mostly hydropower in the region, reaching nearly 2 billion US$ in 2022 to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. And the exported amount keeps growing. For example, Laos and Vietnam have signed another 3000 to 5000 MW of power […]