Government
System of government
Lao, Vietnamese journalists' associations agree to strengthen ties
The Lao Journalists’ Association and Vietnam Journalists’ Association on October 17 agreed to tighten their cooperation through more discussions and training sessions. The two sides agreed to boost ties during a visit by a Lao delegation in which 11 members of the LJA, led by its ...
Royalties to include rentals under new Thailand-Singapore double tax rules
The New Double Tax Agreement between Thailand and Singapore becomes effective on January 1, 2017. If a Thai resident company has an outstanding rental payable to a Singaporean resident company, they should consider settling the debt before the end of 2016 in order to utilise ...
Foreign ministry formalizes public service fees
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened a new public services office and formalized fees for a broad group of services often used by foreigners as part of a wider government push to collect revenue and boost efficiency. Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhon issued a statement ...
US officially terminates sanctions order
After imposing economic sanctions on Myanmar for nearly two decades, the US formally abolished the blacklist on October 7. US President Barack Obama signed an executive order terminating the sanctions, following his pledge to do so made when State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visited ...
Businesses still struggle with administrative procedures
Vietnam has made some strides in administrative reform but local enterprises are still grappling with administrative procedures relating to taxes, sub-licenses and inspections, heard at a meeting between National Assembly deputies and businesses on October 3. Aside from capital, market and technology, the business community needs ...
Gov’t: overturn online business limits
The Ministry of Justice on October 3 proposed eliminating a ban on business services offered online or via communication networks without getting prior permission. Reporting to the National Assembly Standing Committee, which kicked off its fourth meeting session in the morning of October 3, Justice Minister ...
Vietnam has one of the least powerful passports in Southeast Asia
Faring poorly on an international passport index, Vietnam possesses one of the least powerful passports in the region. Ranking 74th on the World Economic Forum’s Passport Index, Vietnam, together with Cambodia, possesses one of the least powerful passports in Southeast Asia. Citizens from the two countries can visit ...
U.S. urges Thai junta to cede power to civilian government soon
Speaking at a press briefing, State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau also raised concern about the drafting process of the proposed constitution, saying it was “not inclusive” and lacked “open debate” before it was adopted. The United States urged Thailand’s ruling junta on August 8 to return the ...
Concerns raised over a new super state agency
Instead of speeding up the equitisation process, Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment has stirred up controversy with proposal to set up another unit to supervise and manage state capital and assets in state-owned corporations. This super unit will directly manage the capital at 30 state-owned corporations ...
Govt peace delegation asks ethnic groups to disarm
Myanmar government peace delegation led by Dr. Tin Myo Win has told three ethnic armed groups of the Arakan, Palaung and Kokang ethnicities not to attack the Myanmar Army and to disarm so that they will be invited to join the upcoming peace conference, sources say. The ...
