SBF and IE Singapore aims to update existing and potential Singapore companies on the business opportunities and challenges on doing business in Cambodia & Laos. The topics to be discussed will include legal and taxation systems, trading procedures and systems, and investment incentives. Participants will also be introduced to IE Singapore’s wide range of incentive schemes to support the growth of your business in these two new market frontiers in Indochina.
About Cambodia
Since its WTO accession, Cambodia’s open economy with a strong economic growth, political stability and an emerging use of natural resource has drawn foreign investors moving in at a steady pace. Cambodia’s economy has averaged a stunning 11% growth rate over the past three years with stellar performances in the textiles and garments, beverage, food processing and wood processing industry sectors. Singapore is Cambodia’s eighth largest investor during the period of 1994 to 2006 while bilateral trade in 2007 hit S$788 million.
About Lao PDR
Bilateral trade between Singapore and Laos, almost doubled since 2003 to reach $61 million in 2007 with Singapore as the ninth largest foreign investor in Laos. With a relatively young workforce and a growing population of 6.2 million, Laos offers good potential and opportunities for new areas of development in the trading, manufacturing and services sectors. Investors are urged to take advantage of Laos’ low labour rates, abundant natural resources such as arable land, tax incentives and investor-friendly, pro-business policies.
| Time |
Programme |
| 8.30am |
Registration of Participants |
| 9.00am |
Opening Address
Mr Chua Taik Him, Deputy CEO, IE Singapore |
| 9.10am |
Welcome Address
Mr Tan Poh Teck, Deputy Executive Director, SBF
|
| 9.20am |
Economic Outlook of Cambodia and Lao PDR: Investment Scenario and Growth Potential
Mr Douglas Clayton, Managing Partner, Leopard Cambodia Ltd
|
| 10.00am |
Cambodia Tax Updates and Incentives for Foreign Investors
Mr Edwin A Vanderbruggen, Senior Tax Adviser, Head of Indochina Tax Practice, DFDL Mekong Legal and Tax Advisors
|
| 10.30am |
An Update of Cambodia’s Investment Environment: The Legal Angle
Ms Nithia Dory, Legal Associate, Kelvin Chia Partnership
|
| 11.00am |
Coffee Break |
| 11.10am |
Trading with the Frontier Markets: Cambodia and Lao PDR
Mr Herbert Vongpusanachai, Country Manager, DHL Singapore |
| 11.40am-12.10pm |
Tapping on the FTAs
Mr. Samuel D. Scoles
Regional Director Asia, International Trade Services, White & Case LLP, Singapore |
| Afternoon Session |
| 1.30pm |
Panel Discussion (Cambodia + Lao PDR)
Moderator: Mr Edwin A Vanderbruggen, Senior Tax Adviser, Head of Indochina Tax Practice, DFDL Mekong Legal and Tax Advisors |
| 2.00pm |
Lao PDR Tax Updates and Incentives for Foreign InvestorsMr Edwin A Vanderbruggen, Senior Tax Adviser, Head of Indochina Tax Practice, DFDL Mekong Legal and Tax Advisors |
| 2.30pm |
An Update of Lao PDR’s Investment Environment: The Legal Angle
Mr David Doran, Director, Mekong Region, DFDL Mekong Legal and Tax Advisors |
| 3.00pm |
Beyond Singapore: Partnering IE Singapore
IE’s 3Cs, incentives, and iadvisory Programme
Ms Joey Chua, Consultant, Advisory & Information Resources Division, Enterprise Services Group, IE Singapore |
| 3.40pm |
1-1 Business Clinic |
Programme is correct at time of print. 
