A FEW WORDS ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS IN MYANMAR AND THE SECTOR YOU ARE WORKING IN

Luther has been active in Myanmar since 2012. With a team of eight French, German and Myanmar lawyers, complemented by 35 professionals, accountants and tax advisors with knowledge and experience in all aspects of corporate and regulatory compliance, Luther Law Firm Ltd. and Luther Corporate Services Ltd. assist and advise clients in all stages of the business lifecycle.

I am a fully qualified Attorney-at-Law from France, and joined Luther in February 2016. My areas of specialisation are corporate, commercial, real estate and contract law in Myanmar and Singapore.

WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY’S STRATEGY IN MYANMAR

Luther is advising companies that wish to establish a business presence in Myanmar on all stages of the process, namely, from the incorporation of a Myanmar business vehicle, through on-going support services such as legal and tax advice, bookkeeping, accounting, payroll and cash, fund & payment administration,  up to the winding up of a company.

HOW HAS YOUR COMPANY GROWN SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN MYANMAR ?

In 2012, our office was set up by one lawyer and one accountant. Today, more than 45 people work in our office in Yangon, assisting clients from all over the world.

WHAT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE YOU SEEN IN YOUR INDUSTRY THE LAST FEW MONTHS / YEARS ?

In October 2016, the Myanmar Investment Law was approved by the parliament and finally fully implemented in April 2017. By combining the Foreign Investment Law 2012 and the Myanmar Citizens Law 2013, the government made a further step towards a unified legal framework for local and international investments.

One of the most important changes is its application to all investors, not only companies that received a MIC Permit. Under the new law, any company may apply for the various incentives and advantages of the Myanmar Investment Law 2016 without having to go through the cumbersome process of obtaining a MIC Permit. Subject to certain conditions, any (foreign) investor may apply for a MIC-Endorsement for long-term leases or tax benefits.

The new Myanmar Companies Law, the subject of multiple drafts over a long period of time, was just approved in November 2017 and is expected to come into force in mid/late-2018. One of the important changes is the opportunity for foreigner(s), or foreign entity/ies to hold up to 35% interest in a Myanmar company. Further, it will soon be possible to  incorporate 100% subsidiaries. However, the Myanmar Companies Law 2017 also increases the corporate compliance obligations and related sanctions. It should further be noted, that any contravention or violation of such obligations may result in a director being individually liable of a fine, imprisonment or both.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MESSAGES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR MEMBERS REGARDING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IN MYANMAR?

The commercial legal environment is slowly but surely moving in the right direction, and becoming more and more attractive, and receptive, to foreign investment.

YOUR LIFE IN MYANMAR AND YOUR RELATIONS WITH FRANCE

Life in Myanmar is very pleasant. For young professionals, and for women, Myanmar offers many opportunities which are difficult for many to access in France.

YOUR ADVICE FOR A NEWLY ARRIVED EXPAT IN MYANMAR

To be patient :)

YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN MYANMAR

Beautiful and cool Inle lake.

Fanny Tatin

Attorney-at-Law

Luther Law Firm Limited

Uniteam Marine Office Building, Level 8, Unit #1

84 Pan Hlaing Street, Sanchaung Township

Yangon 11111

Phone + 95 1 230 1609

Fax +95 1 230 1353

fanny.tatin@luther-lawfirm.com

Curriculum vitae

Fanny Tatin was born in 1987. She studied law at the University of Toulouse 1 Capitole and the University of Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas, France, earning a Master’s degree in Real Estate Law. Since 2014 she has been working as a qualified lawyer in the Real Estate department of a French law firm in Paris before she joined Luther in February 2016.

Areas of Practice

Fanny Tatin mainly advises on French and European investment projects in Myanmar and the Asia-Pacific region. She is particularly active in the field of Real-Estate Law as well as Corporate and Contract Law.