In recent years, India has emerged as a popular destination for all things manufacturing. The country offers a favourable business environment, a large and educated workforce, and low labour costs. India has become an attractive option for companies looking to reduce their production costs and expand their manufacturing operations. Favourable …

India has witnessed tremendous economic growth over the past few decades, resulting in the growth of various industries and job opportunities. Along with this, the salary structure in India has also undergone significant changes. With the increase in competition and the rise in the cost of living, salary increments have …

We’re delving into the significance of the recent guidelines issued by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) department in India in May 2023. The guidelines aim to combat the prevalence of fake registrations and highlight the need for rigorous physical verification by GST Officers. Join us as we uncover the …

To set the scene, Gujarat International Finance Tec City, or “GIFT City”, is situated in Gandhinagar, the capital of the State of Gujarat located just outside Gujarat’s largest city, Ahmedabad.  GIFT City is about a thirty-minute drive from the Ahmedabad airport, which is roughly an hour’s flight from Delhi and …

The United Kingdom’s trade deal with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has opened the door to a range of new opportunities for British businesses in the Indo-Pacific region. The agreement, which includes 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, has created a gateway for the UK to …

Established in 2008, Seamless, part of Sannam S4 Group, celebrates its 15th anniversary committed to helping globally-ambitious organisations to enter, explore and expand their footprint all around the world. We are extremely proud to serve an array of clients, helping them to make a real impact on society through the …

With India’s quickly advancing IT industry, the local government has taken a plethora of measures to ensure that it continues to grow at a stable rate. One such technique that has been incorporated across the country is the marking of various regions as special economic zones (SEZs). These are specially …

The Indonesian government has recently announced a minimum wage hike of 10% for 2023, providing additional financial stability to those workers subject to the changes. This initiative is part of a larger plan to combat growing inequality in Indonesia and promote sustainable economic growth, long-term poverty reduction, and improved living …

With the business environment becoming increasingly competitive, it is essential for teams to focus on core activities for success. Due to this, a common way companies are able to reduce their internal burden while often saving money is via outsourcing. Outsourcing allows companies to keep departments running efficiently without having …

Vietnam is primarily an agricultural nation but it’s come a long way, and it is now looked upon as a symbol of a “success story” in terms of its growth and development. From a nation of extreme poverty, it has reached the much-touted status of a middle-economic country. Although the …

The primary governing agency that is responsible for the promotion of business activity from abroad is the BOI, or the Board of Investment, with regard to Thailand. This is a government entity and provides all the incentives which are necessary to start a business from outside the country. The Board …

Over the past decade, the electric vehicle industry has grown rapidly with EVs becoming increasingly popular and advanced. With a market size of 8,151 thousand units in 2022, estimates assume that the market will reach an astonishing 39,208 units by 2030. With such a rapid rate of expansion, it is …

Are you planning a vacation in Indonesia this year and looking for an easy way to explore its many wonders? Your search is over – the Indonesian government has made it easier than ever for tourists to visit multiple destinations by restarting its popular Multiple Entry Visa Service. With one …

A recent regulation in Indonesia, allowing businesses and people to use their intellectual property assets for collateral against loans, is the GR 24/2022. It’s the hope of the Indonesian government that more players in the business world can access easy financing in this way. So far, in Indonesian industry, the …

India is on a significant growth path in terms of its economy. There is no denying this fact as the Indian population is young, and with technological advances taking over the country by storm, the Indian economy is set to achieve more than ever thought possible. The level of exposure …

When countries establish relations for trade purposes, the world at large sees benefits, apart from the countries involved. With a view to expanding its tentacles for economic growth as diversely as possible, the United Kingdom is actively engaging with regions in the Asia-Pacific area. A key partner involved in this …

With a focus on promoting investment and upgrading the local economy, Thailand has recently introduced a new set of incentives. These incentives were issued as a follow-up to Thailand’s Five-Year Investment Promotion Strategy and align with their aim of boosting high-tech industries. The incentives, which were released on the 4th …

Are you a business owner in Singapore? It’s time to start preparing for the GST rate increase scheduled for January 2023! The government has decided to raise the Goods and Services Tax from 7% to 8% starting next January, which will impact both big and small businesses. This blog post …

Regardless of which sector or industry that you work within, you will have undoubtedly come across the term ‘outsourcing’. Outsourcing is that little ray of light that can offer an alternative solution to businesses facing challenging times in the respective marketplace. As an alternative solution to any business problem, those …

“DP” stands for data protection. Data protection is a significant part of any company’s framework, and any entity’s functioning. Indonesia has such a law, the “Personal Data Protection Law”, resembling the General Data Protection Regulations established by the European Union, or the EU GDPR. The recent law, states in clear …

Fortunately, much to everyone’s surprise, the Indian economy is not as static as people may have imagined it may be. In actual fact, India’s exports have significantly surged in the last couple of years. Indian manufacturing has hit new highs to meet the demands of the global customer as well …

India has been a hub for outsourcing and manufacturing for a while now. A nation open to trade and commerce with international partners, it has signed free trade agreements with several countries in the past. At regional and bilateral levels, India’s FTAs span a wide spectrum of contracts with countries. …

While remote working offers a whole host of benefits in terms of employee comfort, there are also some disadvantages. In particular, the sudden shift from physical offices to remote working has caused many individuals to feel stressed or uneasy which can be seen in both their personal and work life. …

Over the past year, many companies have started to incorporate a new style of working which involves a combination of online and physical methods. Specifically, by calling employees into the office for a few days a week, a sort of hybrid working model has been introduced. This model allows employees …

With the sudden onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many companies were left with inadequate working structures to function online. Without the ability to come to the office, businesses had to gradually shift to online working methods, which has now caused a paradigm shift. As of 2022, more than …

While the pandemic may have led to the shift, remote working has become the norm for many companies across the globe. Whether this involves multinational corporations or young startups, working from home has managed to stick around for longer than many expected. Although, over the past year, many companies have …

The much-awaited draft rules for establishing and operating campuses overseas in India have been revealed. The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued the Draft Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India Regulations on 5 January, 2023. As India aims to reach a 50% Gross Enrollment Ratio(GER) from 27.3% currently by 2035 as …

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement (ECTA) is set to come into effect on December 29, 2022. This starts in a new age of increased bilateral trade and investment between two countries that are major players in the Indo-Pacific region. The timing could not be better for businesses interested in …

The 27th Conference of Parties (COP27), saw meetings between hundreds of highly influential people from various parts of the world in Egypt. The focal point of the deliberations was to instill a renewed solidarity to deliver the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. The COP27 summit was organised at …

Acknowledging the challenges of ‘Moonlighting’ In our previous blog post, we threw light on employee ‘Moonlighting’ and introduced the importance of making policy changes to deal with this HR challenge. It’s becoming increasingly common for disgruntled employees (44 percent of employed Americans) to switch to side hustle or freelance work …

In recent years, the job markets and global economy have witnessed tumultuous fluctuations, with a rising unemployment risk and shorter job tenures. Jobs have been re-modelled and many of those have shifted to remote working platforms, with the gig economy gaining momentum. Whether this is managing housework with a job …

Today when you go home, take a look around. A lot of items being used must be either made out of plastic or contain elements of plastic. Even in the use-and-throw items, the packaging is mostly made out of plastic. Then there’s the menace of the household staple, the carrier …

Climate change is not only killing the Earth but is also causing huge monetary losses to mankind. According to reports, the world’s 55 most climate-vulnerable companies have already lost 20 percent of the GDP due to climate change. By 2030 almost all large economies will be losing billions of dollars …

Sustainable Cities Can Better Handle the Weight and Pressures of Climate Change Poor urban planning in countries worldwide has a major impact on a cities ability to withstand climate change and natural disasters. Globalisation is taking place at an unprecedented rate. A doubled urban population and tripled urbanised land area …

On the 17th of November the delegates at COP 27 will all be discussing possible and potential solutions to some of the climate change challenges that the world currently faces. Innovators will gather alongside representatives from governmental and financial institutions, to share experiences and exchange ideas on how best to …

India a global powerhouse India’s energy needs have been increasing rapidly over the past few decades. According to Government estimates, 1.5 million MW of additional capacity was added to the existing grid between 2000 and 2010 alone, accounting for almost 25 per cent of the country’s total installed capacity. India …

It’s 2022 and the world is in the middle of one of the toughest times in human history. The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc globally during the course of the last two years, killing millions of people and snatching the livelihood of millions of others.  As the world was starting to …

World leaders from 197 nations are meeting at COP27 in Egypt to work together and ensure that nations commit to going more green to save our earth for future generations. They have been meeting regularly since 1995 and this is their twenty seventh meeting. One of the burning issues the …

Today, climate change is arguably one of the biggest concerns around the globe. Its impacts can be seen everywhere we look. But perhaps the problem exists because it’s more difficult to fight in a world that is undergoing rapid urbanisation.  With a majority of countries in South and Southeast Asia …

Perhaps, among the most important days of the COP27summit is Energy Day. Most issues that relate to sustainability are linked with energy. “Green hydrogen” regulations and policies are pondered over and act as a catalyst in the production sources that result in sustainability. Energy Day is important as it marks …

Climate change affects everyone across the world. But it is also true that climate change and food insecurity affects women and girls disproportionately. This is due to a number of reasons. For instance, globally and specifically in marginalised communities women are responsible for acquiring food and fuel for their families. …

Background While presenting the Union Budget for FY (Financial Year) 2022-23, the Hon’ble Finance Minister proposed to allow the entry of world-class foreign universities and institutions in GIFT-IFSC (‘Gujarat International Finance Tec-City – International Financial Services Center), to offer courses in subjects connected to financial management, fintech, science, technology, engineering, …

Water is the elixir of life. It’s one of the most abundantly found things on and around our Earth, yet it is also among the most scarce. Ironically it is its pattern of distribution that is a cause of great concern. Part of the planet may face being underwater due …

Each year, the Conference of Parties or COP as it is commonly known, is held in a different part of the world and has a new theme respectively attached to it. This year, COP27 is set to be held in Egypt, in the city of Sharm El Sheikh. COP27 will …

In 1948, only 6% of the world’s population lived in cities. Nowadays close to 70% of people live in urban areas, including almost half of the global population. Cities are growing at exponential rates due to the need for food production, employment opportunities, and access to goods and services. However, …

In the negotiations at last year’s COP in Glasgow, the previous president of Ireland, Mary Robinson, described male participation in the global climate negotiations aptly. She stated the male dominance as being too “…pale and stale’”. In this year’s COP27, five hundred global leaders have echoed the call for a …

Climate change is perhaps the most imminent threat that is currently facing humanity. Everything we need to survive is in danger with the change in environment. Agriculture and food are among the fields that, if affected, will leave millions hungry. The Economist recently reported that in the next decade or …

Agriculture meets our most basic need of hunger and employs millions across the world. Any threat to this would snowball into a bigger, global crisis. Climate change poses a huge threat to agriculture and its associated processes. The majority of countries in the developing world survive mainly through agriculture. The …

Every year, the world convenes for a COP, a climate change international summit in which sustainable environmental solutions are sought from leaders. The world’s climate problems are real and at COP27 which is taking place in Egypt this year, global leaders will discuss the goals set out and those already …

Companies and large enterprises are responsible for creating the characteristic “carbon footprint” that is a subject of much pessimism in the arena of environmental sustainability. Nonetheless, since the time of the Paris Agreement, to COP27, several companies belonging to energy-centric sectors have adopted policies to start to decrease their carbon …

The green finance market has been growing rapidly, and it’s expected to be worth $2.36 trillion by 2023. Green finance simply means any targeted financial efforts that have sustainability as a major goal. Sustainable Development Goals are a priority that benefits everyone. One way to help bring these goals to …

The healthcare industry is currently facing unprecedented pressures with post COVID-19 financial ramifications, inflation and global labor shortages. At the same time, the need for a robust, equitable and resistant healthcare system has never been higher. Post pandemic, there have been several transformative changes and innovation breakthroughs in the healthcare …

Forging ahead with any and all ways to decarbonise the environment is on everyone’s mind. This is an urgent aim for individuals, companies, industries, forums and global summits like COP27. If the world could decarbonise in a day, all our environmental problems would practically be over. As lovely as this …

We have been repeatedly told that “The future is in your hands’ when it comes to climate change, this note of caution has been passed from generation to generation but with climate change and its impacts ringing loudly in our ears the statement becomes more poignant than ever. Tackling climate …

The climate summit is officially on! With stakeholders from all walks of life, scientists may make contributions that hold the keys to the protection of Mother Earth at this year’s COP 27 summit. Countries have pledged to do their bit, both large and small, but unfortunately, these promises have not …

The path to a sustainable future, especially in developing nations, starts with sustainable technology. Even more important than this crucial fact is that emerging nations are riddled with a number of issues that defeat sustainability in general. These include over population and pollution among others. A lack of education and …

We all face our own share of dangers due to climate change. But perhaps, it is the youth of today that will have to face the harshest realities and dangers in the coming years. The future is theirs and it’s this future that is in danger. The children in our …

Climate change is slowly but surely eating into the future of our world. Much has been said about how the Earth will be hotter, yet there would be more floods. It threatens agriculture, leaving millions across the globe vulnerable and susceptible to hunger. If things carry on as they are …

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) of India, has recently made an amendment to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) regulations. The amendment means that certain existing provisions have now been relaxed.  CSR has typically been a bone of contention for many businesses due to the strict rules that surround it. …

Boris Johnson resigned on 7th July 2022.  This raised the possibility that discussions on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which were in full momentum, might be impacted.   A Free Trade Agreement is typically concluded as a result of a number of formal rounds of discussions between the two governments.  The …

Negotiations are underway in regard to the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and are expected to reach their conclusion by the end of this year. A potential deadline for the FTA discussions to come is Diwali, which takes place on 24th October 2022. In 2021, the UK and India entered …

The FCRA, also known as the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules of 2011 has been amended. This amendment, also known as the ‘New Rules’,  came into effect starting the 1st of July 2022. The government has made use of the powers that have been conferred to it under Section 48 of …

By Susmita Sen When borders were closed and restrictions were well in place to stop a rampant virus in its tracks, the world was forced to sit still and take time to think. With clear minds and an outlook that changed for many of us, we embark on new journeys …

If you want to expand your business internationally, then you’ll need to ensure that you can comply with the local labour laws of the country you’re expanding into. Seamless, a part of Sannam S4 Group can help you do just that. Businesses, as well as non-governmental organisations, could be considering …

Expanding into new markets can be difficult to navigate without appropriate research and planning. This is especially true when entering international markets, which can have different laws, procedures and cultural expectations. However, if you want to grow your business and boost your revenue, it is something you will have to …

The growing Muslim population in South East Asia has accelerated the growth of Islamic finance in this region. A recent study by S&P Global Ratings put the current estimate of the Islamic banking sector in South East Asia at US$290 billion. And over the next couple of years, Islamic finance …

Seamless, part of Sannam S4 Group, has joined The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) South Asia Overseas Referral Network providing international expansion and advisory services to British businesses exporting to South Asia. ESS is a UK government initiative designed to provide in-market export support and advice for UK businesses, …

CSR in India is a legal requirement for businesses. Since 2013, all businesses in India have been required to integrate social and environmental concerns into their business operations. This blog post will talk about what CSR – or corporate social responsibility – is, why it is important, and what businesses …

NGOs perform important work wherever their mission takes them. International NGOs, in particular, have the resources and reach to influence and improve lives across the globe. However, acceptance of such help and cooperation in all improvement efforts depends on the reception at specific sites. This article aims at understanding localisation …

Going global is an enormous opportunity for any organisation and is a well-travelled road for many companies who have navigated it successfully. For plenty of others though, the journey has been filled with pitfalls, potholes, stalled endeavours and plenty of high-profile crashes. International expansion requires a solid strategy for structured …

Indonesia is already known around the world as the largest archipelago. There are more than 300 ethnic groups, breathtaking scenery and an abundance of natural resources. However, there is much more to Indonesia than just being a popular tourist destination. Situated close to large economies, like China, India, Singapore and …

On Friday 8th April 2022 the Supreme Court declared the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020, legal. The Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Amendment Act imposes new regulations for non-profit organisations acting independently of any government (INGOs). It is now mandatory for INGOs to receive all foreign funds into SBI accounts. Challenges …

In this age of globalisation, physical presence at the workplace gradually ceases to be a necessity. Thanks to the knowledge of workers who work remotely the majority of the time. This has given rise to hybrid workplace culture by default. Positively, it has also lifted the bar on accessibility to …

Your Aadhar is your 12-digit unique identification number, issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India. This number is provided to Indian residents provided they meet certain conditions for identification, as has been laid out by the authority. Individuals, provided they are residents of the country, regardless of their age …

International aid supports emergency relief, public health, climate change and other outcomes in order to bring a level of parity across international borders. Localising aid is the next step in the process, ensuring that local communities have more agency and make the most of funding from international sources. For a …

Sprawled across 886 acres of land and situated on the banks of the iconic Sabarmati river in Gujarat, the Gift City is India’s first and one of the world’s largest state-of-the-art business districts. It has a humongous 62 million square feet built-up area that offers multiple amenities. Right from office …

Seamless’ announces membership with British Expertise International. Seamless, part of Sannam S4 Group, is a strategic partner for businesses ready to explore, enter, and expand globally. Their team of experts helps clients from start to end. Be it from localisation to globalisation, Seamless helps corporate and nonprofit organisations build growth …

South East Asian gem, Malaysia, is fast becoming one of the standout business capitals of the world. With typical growth rates of over 4%, Malaysia outperforms many high-income countries with only 1-2% economic growth rates. Malaysia is a financially competitive industrialising location, offering fantastic economic growth, modern infrastructure, technological innovativeness …

The Covid-19 pandemic has stretched the resources and capabilities of nations around the world like never before. Kenya is one such country that has faced immense challenges as a result of the pandemic. With movement restrictions impacting the abundance of international aid, local respondents in Kenya have had to act …

Until two years ago, reporting to the office for work was a way of life for most of us. Although work-from-home had its fair share of takers too. But COVID-19 changed the whole dynamic of working in a number of unprecedented ways. Barring a handful of sectors, most of the …

Seamless, a global organisation leading in strategic market entry and expansion under the Sannam S4 Group umbrella, has today announced the appointment of Kim Hayward to its leadership team.  A highly accomplished professional in the fields of international finance, accounting and audit, the addition of Hayward’s expertise to Seamless further …

We are delighted to announce that Kapil Dua will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of Seamless with immediate effect.  “I am very excited to be taking this opportunity to lead Seamless as its CEO” says Kapil Dua. “The market entry, tax, accounting, payroll, HR advisory and research and …

Last week saw British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visit India over a two-day visit; one day in Gujarat and a second day in India’s seat of central government New Delhi. The visit was accompanied by £1BN of investment deals being announced with an impressive list of activity from British companies …

The advantages of local engagement in creating viable – and measurably effective – humanitarian projects are unquestionable. However, when International Non-Government Organisations need to make substantial inroads, it has become apparent that real change comes from the tangible involvement of local agencies and relevant individuals. Roles and Responsibilities The main …

The past year has been another tough one for most businesses in India, with the pandemic hitting the country hard. The second and third waves of Covid-19 continued to disrupt businesses, economies, and livelihoods, and most of us have had to juggle work, family, and personal time every day throughout …

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak unveiled a mini-budget during his Spring Statement delivery. The changes to the budget come at a time of multiple crises – rising fuel costs and the ramifications of Brexit and Covid as well as the Ukraine situation – with many calling on the government …

While recent developments regarding Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration in India further complicate processes and prospects for nonprofits in India, they should come as no surprise. For years, the regulatory environment has been less accommodating towards even the world’s most prominent charities and environmental groups. Efforts by Oxfam India, …

As online trade becomes a dominant force in global markets, it’s important that governments around the world introduce tailored tax regulations to prevent online traders from escaping existing tax requirements. In many parts of the world, this is simply known as a Digital Services Tax (DST), which applies to digital …

Country Indexing and Entity Structure Economic Overview Vietnam has been ranked 8th amongst the 29 best economies to invest in, as per World Bank Strong economic growth is being led by the services sector and industrial activities contributing 75% to the GDP The percentage of trained workers was 77.5% in …

Indonesia’s economic freedom rank is 11 out of 43 countries in the APAC region. Its overall score is above regional and global averages Indonesia is the 2nd largest tin exporter and one of the world’s leading thermal coal exporters Around 50% of the Indonesian population is below the age of …