[:en]Arion Legal recently contributed to the exclusive chapter on arbitration in Lao PDR in Respondek & Fan’s biennial Asia Arbitration Guide (AAG). The AAG is a free publication which covers a review of 21 jurisdictions across Asia on arbitration law, practice and institutions and is a quintessential guide for all cross-border investors seeking to understand alternative dispute resolution in the region.
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[:en]The Labour Law (2013) came into effect on 28 October 2014, repealing and replacing the previous Labour Law (2006) and introducing a number of significant changes relating to the basic rules of employment in Lao PDR. As the Labour Law is now well into its third year in force, we consider one of its more significant yet often overlooked legal requirements for employers in Lao PDR – internal regulations or “work rules” of the workplace for employees. [:]
[:en]A development in the value-added tax (VAT) sphere of Laos has caused quite a stir on social media recently, following the issuance of a Decision by the Ministry of Finance and its subsequent reporting in the media. Given the ‘hoo-hah’ surrounding the development, we thought we’d weigh in with some commentary on it.[:]
[:en]The Lao Government ‘slipped through’ a revised tax law recently (Amended Tax Law No. 70/NA, dated 15 December 2015), with the law set to take effect next week on 24 May 2016. But fear not: much of the revised law is similar to the law it replaces, the Tax Law (2011), with a few new inclusions, revisions and corrections.[:]
[:en]Attempting to start a business in Laos can be a little daunting, however there is a basic structure and process to follow. Laos is considered one of the most difficult countries in the world in which to start a business, due to the time between lodging an application and receiving all your necessary paperwork. However, as we can see all around us, companies do get established, and more and more investors are coming here to do business.
One issue that should be kept in mind is that some industries are actually closed to foreign investment, so if you are thinking of starting a business here it is best to find out if you are able to invest in your chosen industry before you spend a great deal of time, money and heartache attempting to do something that you cannot actually do.[:]
[:en]In January 2014, the new Labour Law (2013) was formally approved, replacing the Labour Law (2006). The new law is the result of extensive discussions between the various Lao authorities, private sector entities and development organisations, and introduces a number of changes to the basic rules of employment in Laos, including the employment of foreign workers.[:]
[:en]As many foreigners have discovered to their dismay, marrying or divorcing a Lao citizen is not a straightforward process. Unlike most other jurisdictions, a foreigner must obtain the permission of the Lao government in order to marry a Lao. The overall process involves the presentation of a number of documents, interviews and assessment of the application by various government offices.[:]
[:en]Here in Laos there is a system of ‘notarising’ and ‘registering’ various documents that are used in everyday life and for business purposes, and is generally a requirement in enforcing contracts.[:]
[:en]On 11 October 2012, the Australian Embassy, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Australia-New Zealand Business Association held a Lao Australia Business Forum (LABF) at the Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane.[:]
The Lao PDR enjoys a monsoonal climate and has many rivers, including the mighty Mekong. The hydropower industry is well developed and is supported by the Government.
A number of reasonably complicated agreements are needed to put together a hydropower project, all of which we can assist you with – from the beginnings of your investigations to closing your deal.
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