On 4 January 2022, the new UK foreign investment review regime under the National Security and Investment Act came into force, completing the overhaul of the UK’s foreign investment rules and commencing operation of a standalone foreign investment screening regime for the first time in the UK.
The UAE has introduced a number of new welcome legislative changes to mark the UAE’s 50th anniversary, with the aim of solidifying the country’s position as a global trade and commercial hub. Among these changes is the issuance of Federal Law by Decree No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies (“New Law”), which has now come into force last 2 January 2022.
On Wednesday, 15 December 2022, the European Commission adopted its proposals for a new EU Gas Package, through a recast of the Gas Directive and Gas Regulation. Below is a summary of the main updates.
On 14 December 2021, CETESB (Environmental Agency of the State of São Paulo) published Board Decision No. 125/2021/E of 9 December 2021, which approved the updated list of thresholds for contaminants in the soil and groundwater in the State of São Paulo and revoked the former list approved by Board Decision No. 256/2016/E, of 22 November 2016.
On 12 September 2018, four deputies presented a bill or motion that sought to implement a mining royalty for the mining exploitation of copper and lithium in Chile. The royalty would be different from the Specific Mining Tax in force in the country. According to the proposed bill, the need for this ‘new’ royalty is due mainly to the poor participation of the Specific Mining Tax in Chile’s gross domestic product in contrast with the large profits for those in the mining industry.
On 25 November 2021, the United Nations announced that all 193 member states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, including Singapore, adopted a first-of-its-kind global agreement on the ethics of artificial intelligence. The agreement focuses on the broader ethical implications of AI systems in relation to education, science, culture, communication and information; and articulates common values and principles to assist in the creation of legal infrastructure for the healthy development of AI.
On 9 December 2021, Singapore and the UK substantially concluded negotiations on the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (UKSDEA). The UKSDEA covers key areas of the digital economy, such as data, artificial intelligence, fintech, digital identities and legal technology.
Join us for our 19th Annual Global Trade and Supply Chain Webinar Series entitled, “International Trade Developments in a Challenging New World,” which includes the latest international trade developments. This year, in a variety of sessions, our panels of experts will cover the key developments and latest trends on sanctions, export controls and Foreign Investment Review regimes. On the inbound side, there will be sessions on opportunities and compliance challenges arising out of FTAs, hot topics on Customs valuation, trends in customs audits and supply chain compliance challenges and logistics.
Biotech and pharma companies undertaking capital raisings can approach the world’s capital markets in various ways. Through an initial public offering (IPO), listing either in its home jurisdiction or cross-border, biotech and pharma companies can access major global finance hubs and capital from a deep pool of investors around the world. An IPO can help a company raise its profile with customers, suppliers and the media, as well as providing it with an opportunity to improve internal systems and controls, and increase the general operating efficiency of the business as it prepares to comply with the relevant regulatory scheme for public companies.
Mining companies undertaking capital raisings can approach the world’s capital markets in various ways. Through an initial public offering, listing either in its home jurisdiction or cross-border, a mining company can access major global finance hubs and capital from a deep pool of investors around the world.
In addition, an IPO can help a mining company raise its profile with customers, suppliers and the media, as well as providing it with an opportunity to improve internal systems and controls, and increase the general operating efficiency for the business to conform with the regulatory scheme for public companies.