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IFLR's new feature explores conflicting points of view on EU retail investor protection

Recent amendments to Japan’s banking regulatory framework are expected to boost the profile of fintech companies and enhance the protection of customers using their services

In the midst of the most ambitious concession programme in Colombian history (4G), the country is suffering a backlash from the most profound corruption scandal in the region.

On March 7 2017, the Brazilian federal government released the second phase of the Investment Partnership Programme (Programa de Parceria de Investimentos or PPI) – a governmental programme designed to foster infrastructure by expanding and strengthening the relationship between the government and the private sector.

Vietnam has kept distribution services, including retail business, open to foreign investors for years without any restriction. The only exception to this has been certain kinds of goods, such as rice, oil, medicines and cigarettes, which are monopolised by domestic enterprises, and the need for an application for the Economic Need Test (ENT) required for the opening of each individual retail shop by foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs).

In August 2016, the Guatemalan Congress approved decree 37-2016 (Ley para el Fortalecimiento de la Transparencia Fiscal y la Gobernanza de la Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria). Through this decree, Congress seeks to reform the organisational structure of the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT). This reform will include incorporating mechanisms that contribute to the achievement of SAT's objectives, and in particular, providing the financial resources necessary for the State to comply with its constitutional obligations.

On November 23 2016, the Swiss Federal Council published its dispatch for a reform of Swiss corporate law. Along with the dispatch, a draft act amending the Swiss Code of Obligations was presented. The draft act seeks to modernise Swiss corporate law with a focus on increasing the flexibility of the provisions governing company formation and capital structure. Furthermore, it aims to modernise corporate governance by strengthening shareholder rights, and promoting gender diversity on corporate boards and senior management of listed companies. It also replaces the provisions of the (interim) Ordinance on Excessive Compensation (Minder-Ordinance) by a federal act of parliament with only a few changes. Depending on how parliament receives this project, we expect the draft act to enter into force as early as 2019.

In November 2016, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) issued circular C166 dated November 4 2016 to the administrative services providers (ASPs) it regulates. The circular informed ASPs of their obligation to notify CySEC of any changes in their circumstances and personnel, under articles 7, 8, 9, 13 and 25 of the Law Regulating Companies Providing Administrative Services and Related Matters of 2012 (Law 196(I)/2012) (the ASP law). Circular 190, issued on February 21 2017, reaffirms that any changes should be reported immediately.

Amendments to the Payment Services Act and several related laws concerning virtual currencies are expected to come into effect after April 2017. In response to the amendments, the Financial Service Agency of Japan announced the draft of the Cabinet Office Ordinance concerning virtual currency exchange service providers on December 28 2016. The Ordinance sets forth the details of the rules for virtual currency exchange service providers (VCESP).

Advance approval from the Philippine Insurance Commission (IC) is now required to acquire a stake in a Philippine corporation that is licenced as an insurance broker or reinsurance broker. This is based on the IC's circular letter number 2017-09 dated February 14 2017 which prescribes guidelines on the documentation requirements for acquiring a domestic insurance or reinsurance broker.