|
The Government has issued an order calling for the revocation of the import licence requirement beginning year 2019. Imports of steel and cement will instead be regulated by customs officials at border crossings in line with the regulations. The move follows the Prime Minister’s Ordinance on Regulatory Amendment and Coordination Mechanism of Business Operations in Laos, No. 02/PMO dated 1 February 2018 on trade across borders, which is implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce under Order No.1364/MOIC.DIMEX dated 28 September 2018.
The ordinance is part of the efforts initiated by the Government to speed up and streamline business operations in Laos. It is hoped that this will result in the improvement of Lao's international competitive ranking and ease-of-doing-business ranking, particularly the “Trading across Border” indicator.
The Government intends to implement similar measures to create a more favorable climate in its bid to reduce Laos' ease-of-doing-business ranking from its current 141st place among 190 economies, to two digits by 2020.
On 26 November 2018, the Industry and Commerce Office of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce ("MOIC") issued Notification No. 2832/PSO.ERMD ("Notification") on Enterprise seal making and sign of enterprise name. The Notification applies to the Provincial Industry and Commerce Department, District Industry and Commerce Office, and Enterprises (Individual or Legal entities) registered with the Office of Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Public Works and Transport and other relevant authorities.
The key provisions of the Notification include:
- Enterprise seal making: After being granted business registration certificates ("Certificates") by the Enterprise Registration Office of the MOIC, the relevant enterprises can request, upon presentation of the Certificates, for the manufacture or making of the enterprise seals without the approval of the Ministry of Public Security.
- Sign of enterprise name ("Sign"): After being granted the Certificates, the enterprises can request for the manufacture or production of their Signs from entities authorised by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, upon presentation of their Certificates.
The Sign shall consist of the enterprise name as stated in the enterprise registration certificate, the enterprise number, the taxpayer identification number (if any), telephone number, and QR Code on the right top side of the sign. The only foreign language allowed to be used in the Sign is English. To distinguish between Lao and English languages in the Sign, the size of the letters of the English language shall not exceed two-thirds (2/3) of that of the Lao language. The sign size shall not be smaller than 30x60 centimeters nor bigger than 1.5 meters x 3 meters. The letters shall be red in colour and the background shall be yellow. The relevant enterprise can choose the format of the Sign from the models set out in the attachment to the Notification.
The Notification has been effective since 5 October 2018. It replaced Notification No. 1542/ PSO.ERMD dated 21 June 2018 on Enterprise seal making and sign of enterprise name.
The Lao Government has published the new Penal Code, which took effect on 1 November 2018. The new law aims to ensure that penalties for offences are harmonised. It also aims to make it easier for the relevant authorities, such as investigative officials, prosecutors and judges, to refer to and enforce the relevant laws. This landmark legislation is the first legal code enacted in Laos. It not only provides amendments to the Penal Law 2005, but also incorporates the penal provisions of twenty other laws encompassing a range of areas of law, from commercial law, women and children’s law, health law, and environmental law, into one code. The Penal Code has notably amended most of these laws by imposing increased penalties or stipulating additional acts that constitute offences.
Please note that whilst the information in this Update is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief at the time of writing, it is only
intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be treated as a substitute for specific professional advice.
|
|
Rajah & Tann (Laos) Co., Ltd Anou Village, Samsenthai Road Unit 17, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. http://la.rajahtannasia.com
Contacts: Lee Hock ChyeManaging PartnerD +603 2273 1919F +603 2273 8310hock.chye.lee@christopherleeong.comKhanti SyackhaphomLegal AdvisorD +856 21 454 239F +856 21 285 261khanti.syackhaphom@rajahtann.comDesmond WeeDirectorD +65 62320474desmond.wee@rajahtann.comRajah & Tann Asia is a network of legal practices based in Asia. | Member firms are independently constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local legal requirements. Services provided by a member firm are governed by the terms of engagement between the member firm and the client. | This update is solely intended to provide general information and does not provide any advice or create any relationship, whether legally binding or otherwise. Rajah & Tann Asia and its member firms do not accept, and fully disclaim, responsibility for any loss or damage which may result from accessing or relying on this update. |
|
|