ENERGY: Renewable Roadblocks
Law firms interviewed: A&O Shearman; Reed Smith
In recent years, the combination of trade conflicts, the pandemic, and regional tensions have resulted in increased volatility for businesses in the energy, transportation, and commodities sectors. In Southeast Asia, where the transition to green energy is one of the…
MIDDLE EAST: Eastern Promise
China's economic ties with the Middle East have been rapidly expanding, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $500 billion in both 2022 and 2023.
MIDDLE EAST: ‘Law firms offer very little innovation’
Mohammed Jamil is the group general counsel of Saudi Arabian lubricant maker Petromin Corporation. Jamil has over 20 years of in-house experience working as an attorney across multiple jurisdictions. In the Middle East, he has worked in the legal teams of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Kuwait Finance House, and TRW.
RANKINGS: ALB Asia Top 15 GCs 2024
In the fast-paced world of Asian business, general counsel are emerging as key players in shaping corporate strategy. Gone are the days when these legal experts were confined to the sidelines of compliance and risk management. Today, they're at the forefront of innovation, building trust, and driving their organisations forward.
THAILAND: Going Electric
Thailand has established itself as the most dynamic automotive market in Southeast Asia, particularly during a period of industrial transformation in the region. In response to cost and regulatory factors, manufacturers and automakers from China are realigning their supply chains, resulting in increased competition within the Thai market. And while the surge in Chinese electric vehicles in Thailand is creating new opportunities for legal services, lawyers need to adapt quickly to grab their share of the work.
LEGAL NETWORKS: Network-Powered AI
Proactive legal networks are playing a unique role in the proliferation of the latest in artificial intelligence within the legal industry.
EXPLAINER: Can Vietnam’s Updated Telecom Law Help Attract Foreign Investment?
Vietnam, one of the fastest-growing countries in Southeast Asia in recent years, has been eager to bring its economy to the forefront of the latest technological evolution.
Mobilising Myanmar
As part of its plan to open up its markets, Myanmar’s untapped telecom sector is set for major reform. The government plans to award two foreign companies with telecom licences, doubling the number of mobile operators in the country from two to four. A new telecom law is also expected to follow shortly. Foreign telecom investors are at Myanmar’s doorstep and hungry for a slice of the action, but some major risks still remain. Kanishk Verghese reports
Indonesia: The standoff continues
Indonesia is struggling to reverse declining oil and gas output to meet expanding energy needs, but investors are growing increasingly frustrated over regulatory and other issues, finds Ranajit Dam. Additional reporting by Reuters
Vietnam: Refinery dreams
Vietnam is going through an oil refinery boom right now, with a number of massive projects either planned or already in construction. But how feasible are these projects, and what should foreign investors look out for? Ranajit Dam investigates