Reading Time: 2 minutesAmong recent developments happening in the banking and finance sector, the Microfinance Business Supervisory Committee (“MBSC”) issued Directive 1/2019 (the “Directive”). This Directive lays down a new set of interest rates which shall be followed by all microfinance institutions operating in Myanmar. Under the new Directive, the interest rate for microfinance loans shall be charged […]
Vietnam Legal Update: Draft Public-Private Partnership Law
Reading Time: 3 minutesRecently, the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam published a draft of Law on Public-Private Partnership (the “Draft PPP Law”). The Draft PPP Law is expected to be submitted to the Government during the 8th Session of Legislature XIV for consideration, with potential passage during the 9th Session of Legislature XIV. The current public-private […]
Myanmar Tax Update: Annual Tax Compliance Reminder for FY 2018-2019
Reading Time: 2 minutesOur Tax Team wishes to remind you of the fast-approaching deadline for submission of your annual Corporate Income Tax (“CIT”) return, annual Commercial Tax (“CT”) return, and annual Personal Income Tax (“PIT”) Salary Statement. For Myanmar taxpayers who follow the financial year ending 31 March 2019 (“FY 18-19”), all annual tax returns must be submitted […]
Myanmar Legal Alert: The MOC Mandates Wholesale/Retail Registration for Previously Exempted Commodities
Reading Time: 2 minutesIn the most recent development in wholesale and retail, the Ministry of Commerce (“MoC”) issued Notification No. 23/2019 (“Notification”) in relation to the registration of companies involved in importing and trading the following commodities: Chemical Fertilizers, Seeds, Insecticides, Medical Instruments, Construction Materials and Agricultural Machinery (“Commodities”). In relation to wholesale and retail activities in Myanmar, […]
Myanmar Tax Update: IRD Confirms Changes to the Financial Year for Cooperatives and Private Enterprises
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Myanmar Internal Revenue Department (“IRD”) recently issued a Letter confirming changes to the tax year of reporting for cooperatives and private enterprises that will take effect from 1 October 2019. This announcement brings the financial year into line with the State’s new budget year as mentioned in the 2018-2019 Union Taxation Law. Previously, only […]
MYANMAR: New Gambling Law Permits Casinos to Operate in Myanmar
Reading Time: 3 minutesFollowing several discussions on significant changes being proposed in Myanmar in relation to the gambling landscape, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Myanmar parliament) finally enacted The Gambling Law (“GL”) on 7 May 2019. The enactment of the GL heralds positive news for investors looking to invest in the “casino” business as the legal avenues for operating such establishments […]
Cambodia Legal Alert: Certain Foreign Organizations and Agencies Exempt From Implementation of Prakas 442 and 443
Reading Time: 2 minutesFollowing the issuance of Prakas 442 on the Payment of Wages dated 21 September 2018 and Prakas 443 on Seniority Payments dated 21 September 2018, the ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (“MLVT”) issued official Guideliens 044/19 on the Implementation of Prakas 442 and 443 for Personnel of Foreign Missions, Agencies of the United Nations […]
Vietnam Legal Update: Draft Amendment to Labour Code
Reading Time: 3 minutesOn 28 April 2019, the Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs published a draft law amendment to the Labour Code (the “Draft Amended Labour Code”). A considerably substantive amendment, this Draft Amended Labour Code is comprised of 17 chapters and 221 articles. This amendment will be officially submitted to the National Assembly at […]
VIETNAM: Draft Decision 3 and Vietnam’s Solar Future from July 2019
Reading Time: 3 minutesOn 12 April 2019, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam (the “MOIT”) released a new draft Decision (the “Draft Decision 3”) that will replace Decision No. 11/2017/QD-TTg issued by the Prime Minister of Vietnam dated 11 April 2017 (“Decision 11”) on mechanisms to encourage the development of solar power projects in Vietnam. Introducing […]
ASEAN Employment Legal Update
Reading Time: 9 minutesDFDL’s Employment Practice Group is dedicated to advising clients on employment and labor issues and preparing human resources documentation that is compliant with local laws. Our employment team’s in-depth knowledge of the law and practices in the countries where we operate allows us to provide specialized, tailored, and practical advice on issues that arise in […]
Foreign Participation in Myanmar Banking Sector
Reading Time: 5 minutesABSTRACT: Any reform aiming to increase foreign investment in a country can only be accomplished when there is uniformity between the legal provisions and the practices followed by the regulatory authorities. Adherence to legacy legislation and erroneous interpretation of the new laws would erode the objective of the reforms, leading Myanmar off the path toward greater development and progress. With the doors of the banking industry remaining shut […]
Vietnam Legal Update: Additional Permitted Cases on the Use of Foreign Currency in the Territory of Vietnam
Reading Time: 2 minutesIt is Circular No. 03/2019/TT-NHNN dated 29 March 2019 (“Circular 03”) due to amend Circular 32/2013/TT-NHNN dated 26 December 2013 (“Circular 32”), the State Bank of Vietnam relaxes the restrictions on the use of foreign currency in Vietnam. Principle of restriction on use of foreign currency in Vietnam Under Circular 32, except for 16 limitative […]