The Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) has issued Notification No. 2633/Cabinet/MOIC (the “notification”) on November 7, 2017, which abolishes the minimum registered capital requirements for certain foreign investors in Laos.Previously, the MOIC and authorities responsible for business registration adhered to minimum registered capital requirements set out in the Law on Investment Promotion of 2009, which required foreign investors to invest minimum capital of USD 120,000 (about LAK 1 billion).

Experts on technology, media, and telecommunications law from Tilleke & Gibbins authored the Vietnam chapter of the latest edition of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Telecoms, Media & Internet Laws & Regulations, an overview of the laws governing the rapidly changing sectors of telecom, internet, and audiovisual distribution in 29 jurisdictions around the world.Topics covered in the guide include

The eleventh edition of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Telecoms, Media & Internet Laws & Regulations  presents a cross-border overview of telecoms, media, and internet laws and regulations in 27 jurisdictions worldwide. The Thailand chapter of the guide, presented in Q&A format, was contributed by Tilleke & Gibbins and covers the following topics:

As part of overall efforts to improve the business environment in Myanmar, the Union Government recently announced changes to the nation’s fiscal year calendar, while the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) has expanded eligibility for MIC benefits to companies currently operating in the country.

Under the governance of the National League for Democracy government led by President Htin Kyaw and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has witnessed many remarkable improvements in its legal, social, and economic commitments in the past two years—especially in respect of the legalization of market sectors and the promotion of foreign investment.This includes a continuous and demonstrable effort to fight corruption, and although doing so will be a lengthy process, significant progress has already been made and

Vietnam continues to see a trend of increasing foreign direct investment. In 2016, foreign investment inflows reached US$15.8 billion—a record level. This figure represents a 9 percent increase from 2015, which was another record year for foreign investment. The Economist  surmises that Vietnam is mixing the right ingredients for rapid and sustained growth, similar to South Korea, China, and Taiwan before it.

All economic growth indicators show that Cambodia is an attractive destination for foreign investment, with the economy experiencing stable and substantial annual growth, the population’s purchasing power steadily increasing, and the economy diversifying. The Cambodian government is determined to provide an open market for investment, implementing positive reforms in business registration procedures, as well as in Cambodia’s tax regime.

As a small, landlocked nation, surrounded by heavily populated economic powerhouses, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) is often overlooked as a foreign investment destination in favor of its neighbors. However, Laos’ shared borders with Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and China place it in a uniquely appealing geographical position, with the potential to become a vibrant economic hub between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).