@All foreign trade professionals: The most comprehensive roundup of March’s new foreign trade regulations—come get them now!

【Thailand Adds Eight New Export-Controlled Products】 According to the Thai World Daily (February 14), Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion has revised its list of controlled products, increasing the total number from 42 to 48. This adjustment aims to align with the pre-approved product lists of the United States and the European Union. The eight newly added controlled products include six destined for the U.S.: plywood flooring, canvas, carbon steel wire, carbon steel pipes, steel nails, and staples; and two destined for the EU: carbon steel wire and aluminum extrusions. Meanwhile, one product—electric motors—has been removed from the EU-bound controlled list, and one composite product—mattresses—has been removed from the U.S.-bound controlled list. 【Iraq Allows Direct RMB Settlement in Trade with China for the First Time】 According to Reuters, Iraq’s Central Bank announced on the 22nd that Iraq plans to allow direct RMB settlement in trade with China for the first time, aiming to improve its foreign exchange reserves. In its statement, the Central Bank also indicated that, as part of this initiative, it may increase the balance in its RMB-denominated account at Chinese banks. 【Myanmar’s Trademark Law of 2019 Enters into Force in March】 Myanmar’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIPM) under the Ministry of Commerce recently announced that the new Trademark Law of 2019 is expected to enter into force in March 2023. This marks a significant step toward implementing the new trademark registration system. Prior to the anticipated March 2023 launch date, the DIPM will publish additional rules related to the Trademark Law of 2019, including official fees and formal requirements for filing new trademark applications in Myanmar. Since filing a Declaration of Ownership typically takes two to three weeks, and re-registration applications take about one week, trademark owners wishing to use new trademarks—or those already using trademarks but yet to file Declarations of Ownership with the Deeds Registration Office—should act promptly to file such declarations and apply to the DIPM for trademark re-registration, thereby securing an earlier filing date. 【India Delays Implementation Date of BIS Certification for Solar Inverters】 India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued a notice postponing the implementation date of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification requirement for solar inverters to June 30, 2023. Before the BIS certification requirement takes effect, manufacturers must conduct self-certification for relevant products—that is, obtain valid IEC certificates and test reports issued by accredited laboratories—demonstrating compliance with India Standard IS 16221 (Part 2):2015 / IEC 62109-2:2011, “Safety of Power Converters for Use in Photovoltaic Power Systems—Part 2: Particular Requirements for Inverters,” and IS 16169:2014 / IEC 62116:2008, “Utility-Interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters—Test Procedures for Islanding Prevention Measures,” as stipulated in the “Compulsory Registration Order (2017) for Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Equipment and Components.” 【Brazil Introduces Temporary Fuel Tax Measures】 On February 28, local time, Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad and Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira jointly briefed the media on temporary fuel tax measures enacted by the Brazilian government that same day—measures effective for 120 days.

Brazil’s presidential election outlook: A right-wing trend toward victory

Brazil’s presidential election remains extremely tight: Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro’s support levels have remained largely stable, making it highly likely that the election will proceed to a second-round runoff. The first round of voting will be held on October 4. If no candidate secures more than half of the valid votes, the top two vote-getters will advance to a second-round runoff on October 25. The main candidates are current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party and right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party—the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. 📊 Latest Polls and Electoral Outlook Recent polls conducted by different agencies show slight variations, but the overall trend indicates a very close race—typically within the margin of error: ・ Gerp Poll (August 26): In the first round, Flávio leads Lula 38% to 37%; in a simulated second-round matchup, Flávio leads 47% to 42%—one of the few polls showing Flávio ahead in the runoff. ・ BTG/Nexus Poll (August 24): In the first round, Lula leads Flávio 41% to 37%; in the simulated second round, the result is a technical tie, with Lula edging ahead 46% to 45%. ・ Quaest Poll (mid-August): In the simulated second round, Lula leads Flávio 43% to 40%. Overall, Lula holds a slight edge in the first round, but both candidates remain highly competitive in a potential second-round contest; Flávio has shown strong recent momentum. ⚔️ Key Election Issues

Brazil Extends Fuel Price Relief Ahead of Election

1 day ago

Brazil extends diesel subsidies and cuts gasoline and ethanol taxes to shield consumers from rising oil prices before the election, impacting Petrobras' pricing policy.

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