To facilitate the implementation of electronic procurement across the country, the Government of Bangladesh, in accordance with Section 65(2) of the Public Procurement Act, 2006, has formulated the Bangladesh e-Government Procurement (e-GP) Guidelines (Revised) 2025. The official gazette notification for these guidelines was published on 12 March 2025. The overarching objective of the e-GP system […]

Per FE Circular No. 34 dated 29 November  2022 and FE Circular Letter No. 11 dated 19 September 2023, mobile financial service providers (“MFSPs”) and payment service providers (“PSPs”) are permitted to repatriate wage earners’ remittances. This is to be done in collaboration with internationally recognized online payment gateway service providers, banks, digital wallets, card […]

The Bangladesh Bank officially launched its “Foreign Investment and Financing” web portal on 6 February 2025. The portal, accessible at https://www.bb.org.bd/feidportal/index.html, is designed to offer comprehensive information and services regarding foreign investment opportunities, financing options, and business initiatives.

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 […]

On January 1, 2025, the Cyber Security Law 2025 was enacted by Myanmar’s State Administration Council, providing a robust framework to address cybersecurity challenges, regulate digital platforms, and protect critical information infrastructures. Comprising 16 chapters and 88 sections, this law marks a significant step toward ensuring national security and fostering a resilient digital economy. The […]

On 9 August 2024, the Department of Trade (“DOT”) under the Ministry of Commerce published Announcement No. 11/2024, which states that individuals, companies, and business organizations must obtain a registration certificate from the DOT before engaging in online sales. Failure to do so will result in action being taken in accordance with the Essential Supplies […]

On 12 April 2024, the Ministry of Commerce issued Prakas No. 095 on Unfair Practices Related to Advertising and Sales Promotions, which  aims to further regulate certain business activities on advertising and sales promotions that are not covered by the Cambodian Consumer Protection Law. The following are prohibited activities that are considered unfair practices in […]

Myanmar is undergoing a digital transformation, significantly benefiting consumers and businesses through the growth of e-commerce and digital payment systems. This article examines the legal framework governing these areas, focusing on consumer protection, data privacy, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Myanmar has implemented several key laws to regulate the e-commerce sector and ensure consumer protection. The […]

Myanmar’s Patent Law, enacted as the 2019 Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law No. 7, has recently come into force, marking a significant step forward in aligning the country’s intellectual property (IP) framework with international standards. Effective from May 31, 2024, this law introduces comprehensive provisions for patent rights protection, fostering innovation and supporting economic development. To qualify […]

Vietnam has experienced a rapid growth in its digital infrastructure, notably in data center and cloud computing services (the “DC & CC Services”). Under Vietnam’s WTO commitments, the emerging technology DC & CC Services can fall into both computer-related services and telecommunications services categories. However, with no clear definitions provided in either the previous versions […]

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 […]

In February 2002, the National Assembly adopted the Law on Marks, Trade Names and Acts of Unfair Competition (“Trademark Law”), with a Sub-Decree on its implementation adopted in 2006. The Trademark Law is quite comprehensive in its scope, as it defines the registration, invalidation, and removal processes, collective marks, the licensing of marks and trade […]

Parliament has introduced a new Patent Act 2023 and repealed the Patent Act 2022 aimed at better delineating the rights and responsibilities of patent holders. Notable changes are outlined below: Shift of administrative power: The shift of administrative power from the Office of the Registrar the Director General of the Department of Patents, Industrial Designs, […]

Aiming to mitigate cyber risks and maintain the overall stability of the financial sector, the Bangladesh Bank has issued guidelines on cloud computing, which apply to banks, non-banking financial institutions, mobile financial service providers, payment and settlement systems, payment system operators, and other financial service providers. The guidelines aim to ensure business continuity, resilience, and […]

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 […]

The Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee (“FESC”) decided to grant foreign companies an exemption from mandatory forex conversion in its meeting no.78/2022. In this regard, the Central Bank of Myanmar (“CBM”) issued letter no. FE-1/2861 dated 30 December 2022 concerning the resolution of the FESC’s meeting, which instructs the AD licensed banks to comply with such […]

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 Ministry of Labor and Employment introduced 101 new amendments to the Labor Rule 2015, on 01 September 2022. There are some major and minor changes in the newly amended rule. Among the major changes, conduct towards women, maternity benefits, arrangement of health centers that will provide consultation to women are significant. As per the […]