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.
Saudis study Fannie Mae-style plan for housing
Saudi Arabia is studying draft regulations that could see the creation of a real estate refinancing company similar to U.S. firm Fannie Mae, according to proposals published by the central bank this week.
A rising regime: Singapore’s new data protection law
In the wake of several high-profile security breaches, most notably the theft of over 77 million user accounts worth of personal data from Sony Corporation last year, the introduction of Singapore’s data protection regime is a timely and highly-anticipated move. Seher Hussain reports on what the new legislation means for the marketplace, how companies can comply, and what to expect for 2013.
Booming Gulf sukuk market brushes off Dana Gas debacle
When United Arab Emirates-based natural gas producing company, Dana Gas, missed repaying a $920 million Islamic in November, it became the first UAE company to fail to redeem a bond on time. But the region's debt market barely blinked. Yields on some firms' outstanding Islamic bonds, known as sukuk, dropped to fresh record lows as investors continued pouring money into them. Other companies laid plans for new issues of sukuk.