According to the 2012 White Book on Information and Communication Technology released by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), the total revenue of Vietnam’s information and communication technology sector in 2011 was USD 20 billion, 22 times more than in 2000. This included sales in the electronic hardware industry of USD 11.3 billion, an increase of 101% over 2010, and sales in the software industry of USD 1.17 billion, which grew by 10%.

Foreign companies usually opt to appoint their local distributors as the local entity to apply for and maintain product registration and import licenses, as usually required by Asian FDAs and Ministries of Agriculture. Such appointments are normally set out in the distribution agreement. While on most occasions this is a mutually beneficial relationship, sometimes local partners who have built up the business for those products may begin to compete unfairly or commit other breaches that lead to difficulties in terms of terminating a partner.

In the next few months, the European Union (EU) is seeking to open free trade agreement (FTA) talks with Thailand. Thailand exports more goods to Europe than any other region or country in the world, with over 85% being machinery, manufactured goods, and food. In terms of imported goods into Thailand, the EU stands in third behind Japan and China, with these imports focusing heavily on machinery, transport equipment, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam has dropped sharply in recent years. After peaking in 2008 at a record high of USD 64 billion, registered FDI capital fell to approximately USD 13 billion in 2012. In a country where FDI plays an important role for growth, a dramatic decrease in FDI undoubtedly raises concerns for the Vietnamese central government.

Published by Law Business Research, Getting the Deal Through – Arbitration provides an overview of arbitration law in 55 jurisdictions worldwide. In the book’s Thailand chapter, Kornkieat Chunhakasikarn and John King of the Tilleke & Gibbins dispute resolution group examine a number of key issues relating to arbitration, such as Thailand’s Arbitration Act and its relationship to the UNCITRAL Model Law, domestic arbitration institutions, requirements for arbitration agreements, arbitral proceedings, and interim measures.

In association with Lex Mundi, Practical Law Company has now published the latest edition in its series of guides on how to do business in jurisdictions worldwide. The Thailand chapter, written by attorneys at Tilleke & Gibbins, provides an overview of the legal system and key laws for foreign companies doing business in the Kingdom. Presented in a question-and-answer format, the chapter examines the rules governing foreign investment, business vehicles, employment, tax, competition, intellectual property, marketing agreements, e-commerce, data protection, and product liability.

Marking an unprecedented milestone in the fight against unfair competition, a state attorney-general in the United States has taken legal action against a Thai manufacturer that produced and exported products while using stolen IT to unfairly lower its operating costs and undercut competition.In October 2012, the Massachusetts Attorney General exercised her authority to enforce the state’s unfair competition law by requiring a Thai seafood processor to use licensed IT in its business operations. She announced a landmark settlement with the company.

The Use of Social Media in the Workplace provides overviews of the uses, risks, and benefits of social media in the workplace and its legal implications in multiple jurisdictions.