Local Insights

After ratification of the first sustainable investment facilitation agreement, between the EU and Angola, Carla Gonçalves Borges, Mariana França Gouveia, and Assunção Cristas of Vieira de Almeida analyse ESG considerations in African states’ investment treaties

ESG considerations are becoming an increasingly important factor in investment decisions in Ghana. Lady-Ann Essuman, Ewurama Osam Tawiah, and Verissa Odame-Koranteng of VINT & Aletheia, Attorneys and Consultants explain why, and how, the new reality should be embraced

As the financial services ecosystem in Nigeria continues its rapid development, DealHQ Partners provides a guide to the latest regulatory initiative regarding contactless payments

Hiroko Shibata, Nishimura & Asahi

Myoung Jae Chung, Sungjin Kim, and Byung Kyu Cho of Kim & Chang analyse South Korea’s proposed mandatory tender offer rule, assessing its potential implications for minority shareholder protection, market activity, and legislative developments

Belmiro Leong and Kimberley Cheong of Riquito Advogados urge companies to review their policies on reporting profits tax as Macau SAR introduces new rules aligned with international transfer pricing standards

The 2013 banking crisis brought to light the serious issue of Cyprus banks carrying on their balance sheets substantial provisions for non-performing loans (NPLs) which adversely affected the banking sector's profitability and sustainability. In response to EU pressure, the government of Cyprus put considerable effort into tackling the problem of NPLs, implementing various measures including improved foreclosure legislation and measures to assist banks to restructure their loan portfolios.

Capital gains realised through a disposal of shares held for private investment purposes by Swiss resident individuals are generally exempt from Swiss income taxes. In certain circumstances, such capital gains are assimilated to dividends, salary or compensation payments for the renouncing of a right, in which case they become subject to income tax.

Increased pay supplements have been introduced for night work, weekends, and holidays. The increase was split into two phases, with the first increase implemented as of May 1 2018 and the second increase slated to come into force on May 1 2019. The existing 30% supplement for night work for non-hazardous occupations will increase to 40%, and the existing 35% pay supplement for hazardous occupations will go up to 50%. The supplement for work on Saturdays will go up from 25% to 50%, and up from 50% to 100% for work on Sundays. Calculation of all the supplements is based on the existing minimum hourly wage, which on January 1 2019 was raised from €2.759 ($3.10) to €2.989. The supplement for work on holidays will increase from the existing rate of 50% of the employee's average hourly wage to 100% of the employee's average hourly wage.

Decreased availability and increased costs of funding have altered the behaviour of borrowers and lenders in the Peruvian leveraged finance market. Thomas Thorndike of Garrigues highlights the main themes and considers the outlook

Rita de la Guardia and Patricia Cordero, Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee

Jaime Trujillo Caicedo, Alexandra Montealegre and María Camila Vargas, Baker McKenzie

Simone Del Nevo and Rahul Sud, ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners

Ezekiel Tuma, John Cunha, and Luis Cunha, ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners

Ragy Soliman, Ahmed Abdelgawad, and Ibrahim ElGengehy, Adsero – Ragy Soliman & Partners

Robert Katz and Charles Ruck, Latham & Watkins

Robert M Katz and Charles Ruck, Latham & Watkins

More US buyers – and more buyer-friendly deal terms – are entering the seller-friendly UK market, although the picture is increasingly nuanced, say Joshua M. Dubofsky, Sam Newhouse, Jennifer N. Cadet, and Catherine Campbell