The New Asian Tigers: Tax Update on the Mekong Region

Abstract

The five countries of the Mekong region, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, are part of an important growth area in ASEAN. While tax administrations in other parts of the world are grappling with issues of tax avoidance amid increasing scrutiny of international tax structures, the tax policies of the Mekong region countries are geared towards more effective tax management while at the same time keeping tax rates competitive to attract foreign investment. Mekong region tax authorities are also continuously enhancing tax collection measures, and there is an increased focus on transfer pricing in some countries. This article presents a brief analysis of some recent and significant tax changes in the Mekong region countries.