Doing Business In Laos : Investment & Employment Laws



Overview

There have been numerous recent developments in Lao PDR to ease market-entry for foreign investors and we are witnessing an increase in M&A activity. Additionally, a country such as Lao PDR, where the rights of the employee are dominant, it is paramount that the foreign investor as an employer is well aware of the ambit of its responsibilities and rights. A flourishing employer-employee relationship undoubtedly contributes to the commercial sustainability of the employer and its shareholders.

This workshop provides an introduction to the essential components of the employee-employer relationship in the Lao PDR and the steps required from the employer to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework. It will also outline the process of company establishment, the impact recent market-entry legal developments have had on such process and complexities involving M&A transactions.

Course Outline

1. Market-entry, M&A and shareholder issues in Lao PDR:

  • Introduction to company establishment in Lao PDR
  • Corporate formation and regulatory requirements and restrictions
  • Case studies for business establishment and M&A activities
  • Protection of foreign investors’ interest in corporate documents
  • Introduction to FX laws in Lao PDR
2. Employment Law:
  • Types of employment contracts
  • Internal Regulations
  • Labor quotas
  • Transferability of employment contracts
  • Terminations
  • Fault-based grounds
  • Non-fault grounds
  • Poor performance
  • Redundancy
  • Severance
  • Voluntary resignations and retirement
  • Social security contributions


Learning Objectives

This workshop aims to provide guidance to companies and businesses considering venturing into Laos to explore new opportunities available when they enter into this new frontier. This would be an interesting and interactive session for companies to engage in deep discussion on real cases, challenging obstacles that they may come across in doing business with the locals as well as employer-employees' issues.

Who Should Attend 

Senior or middle management staff of local businesses looking to venture into Laos as their next potential market expansion

Trainer Profile


Kristy is the Country Managing Director of DFDL’s Laos office and has 15 years’ experience practicing as a solicitor in the Lao PDR, Vietnam and Australia. In both Laos and Vietnam, Kristy has advised private and public companies, financial institutions and investors on corporate and commercial matters, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions and foreign direct investment. In the Lao PDR, Kristy has also focused on project finance deals, advising sponsors and lenders on a number of high profile domestic and cross-border power projects.  Additionally, Kristy has substantial experience advising potential investors, existing operators and regulatory authorities in the mining sectors in the Mekong region.

Kristy is recognized in Laos as a “Leading Individual” in Legal 500 (Asia Pacific), a “Market-Leading Lawyer” in AsiaLaw Profiles and a “Recognized Practitioner” in Chambers Asia Pacific.

Kristy is currently Vice-President of the Australian Chamber Commerce in Laos and an interim board member of the American-Lao Business Association.


Standré Bezuidenhout is a senior associate working at DFDL’s office in Vientiane, the Lao PDR. Standre was admitted as an attorney and notary public in South Africa in 2014. He specializes in both local and cross-border merger and acquisition transactions and has experience in the formation, structuring, and restructuring of business entities in various jurisdictions. Standre has also advised listed and private equity clients in relation to their involvement in listings and delistings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. He has broad experience in general commercial work and in the drafting of a variety of commercial contracts.
Administrative Details

  • Please logon to https://login.sbf.org.sg/sbf with your Username and Password to register. 
  • Please create an account for registration if you do not have an existing account with Singapore Business Federation (SBF)
  • Upon registration, please make payment using Credit Card via online payment platform. Auto e-acknowledgement and invoice will be sent to your registered email.
  • No cancellation will be allowed upon registration but attendance by a replacement delegate from your company due to exigency could be facilitated. Please notify SBF of the change with at least 3 working days’ notice prior to event to enable logistical arrangements for the replacement.
  • Payments are required with registration and must be received prior the event to guarantee your place.
  • Participants will only be admitted if payment/proof of payment has been received prior to the event or on event day.
  • You will still be liable for the payment in the event of no-show on actual day of the event.
  • SBF reserves the right to cancel or make any adjustments to the event.


Other Payment Modes
:

  1. Electronic Payment (Preferred payment mode. Document reference - Please key in 8-digit invoice number)

    Corporate PayNow (UEN: T02SS0073H),

    Bank Transfer (Bank / Branch Code: 7375 / 018, Account No: 118-313-180-5)

    Billing Organisation via UOB or DBS Website/Mobile app

  2. VISA/MASTERCARD Terminal

    Payment can be made via our VISA/MasterCard terminal in our office

  3. Cheque Payment

Please cross your cheque payable to Singapore Business Federation and send it to:

160 Robinson Rd #06-01, SBF Center, Singapore 068914

Please indicate the Invoice number, Company and Participant(s) name(s) at the back of the cheque.

If you have registered less than 5 working days before the event date, please bring along your cheque on the day of event.  

Ref No: SB190565

DISCLAIMER
All information, materials and related graphics contained herein and/or provided in the course of the training session(s) (hereinafter referred to as “Information and Materials”) are intended for informational and/or educational purposes only. The Singapore Business Federation does not claim ownership of any of the Information and Materials provided by the external training vendor(s). The information and Materials may from time to time include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors, and changes may be added periodically as may be necessary. Please note that photography, audio and video recording may occur during these events. All photography, audio and video recording may be used by Singapore Business Federation for education, marketing, promotional and/or publication purposes. If you do not wish to have your image recorded or published, for compelling and legitimate grounds relating to your situation, please inform our staff.

When
9/19/2019 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Where
160 Robinson Road #06-01 SBF Center 068914

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