Emerging markets may promise the prospect of untapped growth, but doing business in emerging market economies can present special challenges.

Sydney Law School's program in international business and taxation examines some of the unique issues in Doing Business in Emerging Markets, a new unit taught by Professor Paul Stephan from the University of Virginia.

The unit examines common commercial, tax and regulatory issues that arise from doing business in emerging market economies.

It also explores issues associated with investing into and doing business with former Soviet Union countries, including the famous Yukos case.

Topics covered include:

• The special challenges of investing in emerging market economies
• Organisational forms commonly used in emerging market economics
• Financing options
• Host state regulatory regimes and limits on the activities of foreign investors
• Dispute resolution systems and sovereign risk issues
• Tax issues in developing countries
• Home state regulatory issues, including domestic anti-corruption measures, money laundering and human rights regimes

An expert on international business and Soviet and post-Soviet legal systems, Paul Stephan has advised governments and international organisations, organised conferences, edited books and lectured to professionals, university groups and high school students on a variety of issues raised by the globalization of the world economy and the transition away from Soviet-style socialism.

During 2006-07, he served as counselor on international law in the U.S. Department of State.

Other interests for Stephan, who joined the Law School faculty in 1979, include international law, taxation and constitutional law.

The unit is available to study through the following Sydney Law School degree programmes:

• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Master of Business Law (MBL)
• Master of Global Law (MGlobL)
• Master of International Law (MIL)
• Master of International Business & Law (MIntBus&Law)
• Master of International Taxation (MIntTax)
• Master of Taxation (MTax)
• Graduate Diploma in Commercial Law (GradDipCommLaw)
• Graduate Diploma in International Business Law (GradDipIntBusL)
• Graduate Diploma in International Law (GradDipIntLaw)
• Graduate Diploma in Law (GradDipLaw)
• Graduate Diploma in Taxation (GradDipTax)

Candidates can also enrol in this subject on a Single Unit Enrolment or Cross-Institutional basis.

For further enquiries or to apply or enrol, please contact the Postgraduate Team.

Further information on the 2011 Sydney Law School Postgraduate Program