Brunei Royalty

Although minerals production traditionally centered on bauxite, silver, and tin production, Indonesia is expanding its copper, nickel, gold, and coal output for export markets. In mid-1993, the Energy Ministry reopened the coal sector to foreign investment. Total coal production reached 127 million metric tons in 2004, including exports of 105.6 million tons. The Indonesian Government hopes to export 115 million metric tons of coal in 2005, which would surpass Australia and make Indonesia the world’s largest thermal coal exporter. Two U.S. firms operate three copper/gold mines in Indonesia, with a Canadian and U.K. firm holding significant other investments in nickel and gold, respectively. Indonesian gold production in 2004 was 112 tons, down from a peak of 180 tons in 2001. The primary reason for the slump in production was decreased output at Grasberg following a late 2003 pit wall failure. Freeport’s Grasberg mine is the country’s and world’s biggest gold producing mine. Indonesia’ ... [Read More]

Singapore

J) Exemption of foreign sourced interest and royalty income for R&D purposes: foreign sourced interest and royalty income remitted into Singapore will be tax-exempt, provided they are spent on R&D activities (at least 20% must be spent on local R&D activities). The incentive period to be awarded is five years. ...

Over the past three years, a number of local educational institutions (mostly public) have signed agreements to comply with legal obligations to pay royalty fees to publishers in exchange for the right to duplicate copyrighted printed works for use in course materials. Some commercial copy centers, however, continue to routinely take orders to copy entire textbooks. While some raids have been conducted, their effectiveness is limited. Under Singapore IP laws, the penalty for illegal photocopying is a fine of up to S$100,000 (US$61,000) or a jail term of up to five years, or both. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

Women serving as Ambassador or DCM, or the wives of an Ambassador or DCM, need dresses with long sleeves or sleeves at least below the elbow, stockings, gloves, and hats for palace functions and calls on the Agong and State rulers. The royal color, “Windsor yellow,” cannot be worn when royalty might be present. ... [Read More]

Money Laundering and Financial Crimes

Aruba is rapidly developing as an international financial services center. Services include finance companies, offshore banking companies, royalty companies, investment and holding companies, and the Aruba Exempt Company (AVV). Aruba introduced the concept of the AVV in 1988 to enhance the attractiveness of the approximately 3,000 offshore companies in Aruba, which are represented by 100 trust companies. The most important feature of the AVV is its complete exemption from all taxes. Instead, a registration fee of $280 is charged each year. The capital of an AVV may be divided by the designation of stock shares. Registered shares as well as bearer shares are allowed, and preference shares may also be issued. The minimum authorized capital for an AVV is $5,600. The AVV cannot participate in the economy of Aruba. The AVV is exempt from several obligations, including the filing of an annual financial statement and currency restrictions. These advantages, combined with the general tax exemp ... [Read More]

American Embassy Hanoi - Bilateral Trade Agreement

The recent explosion of retail space in Ho Chi Minh Cityand Hanoi should increase the number of suitable high-traffic sites for retailfranchise shops. However, strict limitson royalty payments, the uncertainty of a pending competition law, weak IPRprotection, and the difficulty of franchisees to come up with capital make itunlikely that international franchises will boom in the near term. ...

Technology can be transferred byoutright sale, licensing, or contribution as capital. Foreign JVs often containtechnology transfer provisions. TheMinistry of Science Technology and Environment (MOSTE) has primary authority toapprove technology transfer contracts. The implementing regulations of the lawgoverning technology transfer have made such deals very difficult. The keyareas to note are strict requirements for precise details on the timetable forthe delivery of technology; provisions requiring extensive warranties; thelimited duration of contracts; and restrictions on royalty rates. TheCommercial Code does provide protection for transferred technology, but some ofits provisions remain to be implemented.  ... [Read More]