We outlined in Part 1 how e-commerce taxes are likely to affect the Southeast nations of Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Since e-commerce is transnational by nature, a few technical issues also surface when redefining conventional taxation laws to suit a more international context. It is, however, possible to look at what different jurisdictions have done so far.

Part 1: The need for e-commerce taxes in local economies  The introduction of e-commerce taxes in Singapore is very likely, a Bloomberg survey conducted between 12 economists in February 2018 concluded. Singapore’s next budget tabling, scheduled to take place on 19 February, is anticipated to provide for the taxation of online vendors operating within that region.

Singaporeans will be bracing themselves for a hike in taxes ahead of the Singapore Budget that’s slated to be delivered next Monday on 19 February in Parliament. The Budget – to be delivered by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat – will outline the government’s financial plans for the rest of the year, which include public spending and taxes, among others.

Public transportation in the region will see a drastic change over the next few years.

Maintaining water quality, especially in urbanised landscapes, is highly challenging since water bodies are exposed to varying sources of pollutants from urban run-offs and industries. Hence, proper water management is of utmost importance to a nation’s development. Without properly managed water, many areas of the economy will be affected due to the exacerbation of poor population health, loss of jobs and even hygiene issues.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Southeast Asia has vast untapped renewable energy resources.

The spate of cyberattacks in the region last year was definitely more than enough reason for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to level up their game in cybersecurity.

Health and medical tourism is becoming more prominent and is seen as a growing trend worldwide, according to Global Wellness Institute, a non-profit organisation for the wellness industry.

Singapore’s economy expanded by 3.5% in 2017, according to estimates released by the Ministry of Trade and Industry earlier this month. Yet the percentage of its labour force aged over 60 years also rose from 6.1% in 2007 to 14.1% in 2017, according to a recent report by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).The labour force participation rate (LFPR) in 2017 meanwhile dropped to 67.7% from 68% in 2016 according to MOM data.

A more resilient cross-border education system with more involvement between institutions in different countries, could be the key to realising the economic and political aspirations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).Regionalisation of higher learning has a pivotal role to play in the community building process according to panellists at a forum organised by SEA Junction and the Heinrich Boell Foundation Southeast Asia in November, last year.