Dino Santaniello, head of Tilleke & Gibbins’ office in Vientiane, and Sayphin Singsouvong, associate, provided an updated Laos chapter for Foreign Investment Review 2024, a global guide to the legal and regulatory environment for foreign investment in 27 jurisdictions worldwide. Published and distributed by Lexology Panoramic, the guide discusses law and policy on oversight of foreign investment, regulatory frameworks, procedural requirements, and other important considerations for foreign investors. The Laos chapter aims to give investors an understanding of what to expect when establishing operations and operating in the Lao market, covering: Law and Policy: Government policies and practices, main laws and their scope of application (including details on investment promotional measures), definitions, rules for state-owned enterprises and sovereign wealth funds, relevant authorities and oversight, and national interest provisions. Procedure: Jurisdictional thresholds, national interest clearance, securing approval, the review process for competition clearance and associated penalties, involvement of authorities, facilitation of clearance, and post-closing regulatory powers. Substantive assessment: Substantive tests for clearance, authorities’ consultation with other countries and other relevant parties, transactional prohibitions and objections, mitigating arrangements and challenges to a decision, and protection of confidential information. Recent cases, updates, and trends: Relevant recent case law, key recent and ongoing developments. A PDF of the Laos chapter can be accessed through the button below. Tilleke & Gibbins also contributed the Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam chapters to Foreign Investment Review 2024. Readers can also gain 30 days of complementary access to the full Foreign Investment Review 2024 guide and the rest of Lexology Panoramic’s varied offerings through this link.

Employment law specialists from Tilleke & Gibbins’ office in Vientiane have provided the Laos chapter to the Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce from International Employment Lawyer. This global guide, which covers 45 jurisdictions worldwide, examines the issue of workplace restructurings, particularly in relation to the needs of multinational companies. The Laos chapter was written by associates Naiyane Xaechao and Sayphin Singsouvong. The Q&A-style chapter focuses on key areas related to workplace restructuring, covering each of the following topics in detail: Reduction in workforce; Restructuring or reorganization of the business; Changing terms and conditions; and Areas to watch. A PDF of the Laos chapter can be downloaded through the button below. Tilleke & Gibbins also provided the Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam chapters to the Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce 2024. To browse the full guide for all 45 jurisdictions, please visit the International Employment Lawyer website.

The commercial real estate sector in Southeast Asia is a dynamic and innovative space, but businesses also face an array of complex legal challenges. With real estate investments transcending borders and regulations, businesses in the region confront a legal environment that demands a clear understanding of the rules and procedures in each jurisdiction. Authored by legal experts at Tilleke & Gibbins, Commercial Real Estate Law in Southeast Asia is a comprehensive resource that addresses the legal issues relevant to enterprises involved in the commercial real estate sector. The guide explores the nuances of commercial real estate law in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, providing an overview of the regulatory framework and legal environment governing property transactions in these countries. Within the guide, readers will find detailed sections dedicated to each country, offering in-depth insights into the legal instruments, regulatory authorities, and procedural requirements that shape the commercial real estate landscape. Each section outlines the real estate activities that are permissible, those that are restricted, and the associated liabilities and penalties for noncompliance. The full Commercial Real Estate Law in Southeast Asia guide is available through the button below.

Laos has expanded its registration requirements for importers and exporters by mandating additional registration and financial procedures. Bank of Lao PDR (BOL) Decision No. 677, which was issued on July 24, 2023, requires importers and exporters to register with the BOL and to open a dedicated commercial bank account for their import-export business activities. These requirements are in addition to the May 2023 stipulation ordering importers and exporters to register with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC). Registration and Account Opening After registering with the MOIC and receiving their MOIC registration certificate, importers and exporters have 10 days to register with the BOL. Within five working days of receiving a complete application, the BOL will issue a registration notification, after which the importer or exporter has 10 days to present its BOL registration certificate and the required supporting documents to a commercial bank for opening the specified bank account. Banking Requirements and Supporting Documents Payment for goods and services made or received from abroad by importers and exporters must take place via electronic wire transfer via the dedicated bank account opened specifically for import-export activities. The importer must provide the commercial bank with various required documents as evidence for each transaction. Likewise, exporters’ receipt of payment from abroad via bank transfer must take place using the bank account opened for import-export activities within the timeline specified in the sale-purchase agreement, but not exceeding 180 days from the export date. After receiving payment from abroad, the exporter must provide copies of various payment-related documents to the commercial bank. Exporters that wish to use any of this income to repay a loan must submit an application and supporting documents to the BOL for approval. The BOL will decide on the application within 10 working days of receiving the complete application