Company formation in Singapore

Private Limited Company
Corporate features

General
  • Type of entity – Resident/Non-resident
  • Type of law – Common
  • Our time to establish a new company – 5 days
  • Minimum government fees (excluding taxation) – S$365
  • Corporate taxation – Varies
  • Double taxation treaty access – Yes
Share capital or equivalent
  • Standard currency – SGD$
  • Permitted currencies – Any
  • Minimum paid up – S$1
Directors or Managers
  • Minimum number – One
  • Local required – Yes, one
  • Publicly accessible records – Yes
  • Location of meetings – Anywhere
Members
  • Minimum number – One (Corporation or Individual)
  • Publicly accessible records – Yes
  • Location of meetings – Anywhere
Company Secretary
  • Required – Yes
  • Local or qualified – Yes
Accounts
  • Requirement to prepare – Yes
  • Audit requirements – Yes, but exemptions
  • Requirement to file accounts – Yes, but exemptions
  • Publicly accessible accounts – Yes, but exemptions
Other
  • Requirement to file annual return – Yes
  • Change in domicile permitted – No

General information

Singapore is situated at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula. Strategically located along the major shipping and air routes of Asia, it is the major nerve centre for trade and investments in the region.

Spanning just over 622 sq km, Singapore though small, is undoubtedly an advanced and bustling economy. It thrives on an excellent infrastructure, highly educated labour force, political stability and an efficient business environment. Singapore is an ideal holding company and headquarters location and a gateway for foreign investments in to the emerging economies of Asia, such as China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand.

Population

Singapore has a population of approximately 4.35 million people. More than 75% are Chinese with the remaining 25%, mainly Malays, Indians and others. The different races live together with mutual respect and in racial harmony. The work force is well educated and hardworking and there is a high level of managerial and technical expertise available.

Political structure

The People’s Action Party, its single dominant ruling party since its independence in 1965, rules Singapore. There is no strong opposition party in Singapore. The Singapore Government vigilantly plans, manages and administers the country’s socio-economic development. Singapore is one of the world’s most politically stable and corruption-free countries.

Infrastructure and Economy

Singapore has an excellent infrastructure with state of the art communication facilities and road transport system. It operates busy and efficient air and seaports and is a free port with no customs and excise duties on most items.

Singapore is also one of the leading international financial centres. Offshore investors are well served by representatives of most major international banks, financial institutions, investment management companies and accounting and legal firms.

The Singapore Government actively woos foreign investments with generous tax and financial incentives. This has successfully attracted numerous regional holding companies, corporate headquarters, business and service centres, group finance and treasury centres as well as investments in high tech industries, media and communications, shipping and financial services.

Language

The most commonly used official languages are English and to a lesser extent, Chinese, Malay and Tamil which are also official languages.

Currency

Singapore Dollar.

Exchange control

None.

Type of law

Common Law.

Principal corporate legalisation

  • The Companies Act.
  • The Income Tax Act.

Company information

  • Type of Company for International Trade and Investment.
  • Resident or non-resident company, foreign branch operation or a representative office.

Procedure to incorporate

Submission of name approval, Memorandum and Articles of Association and details of shareholders & shareholdings, registered office address and appointments of directors, company secretary and statutory auditors.

Restrictions on trading

Generally no restrictions except for financial services, education, media related or other politically sensitive businesses.

Powers of company

A company incorporated in Singapore has the same powers as a natural person.

Language of legislation and corporate documents

English.

Registered office required

Yes.

Time to incorporate

5 days subject to name approval.

Name restrictions

Name resembling names of existing companies or which are undesirable or politically sensitive will be rejected.

Language of name

Latin Alphabet.

Name requiring consent or a license

Bank, Financial institution, insurance, fund management, university, Chamber of Commerce and other similar names.

Suffixes to denote Limited Liability

Private Limited or Pte Ltd for privately held companies.

Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities

No.

Compliance

Authorised and issued share capital

The concept of authorised share capital has been abolished in Jan 2006 and the minimum number of issued share is 1.

Classes of shares permitted

Ordinary shares, preference shares and redeemable preference shares.

Double taxation agreements

Singapore has an extensive investment protection agreement and double tax treaty network. This includes most countries in the Asia-Pacific Region and countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. These countries include China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, France, Belgium, Finland and the United Arab Emirates.

Singapore is also one of the very few countries to have a tax treaty with Taiwan. This explains the popularity of Singapore holding companies for Taiwanese investments in to China and the region.

Company secretary

Companies are required to appoint a resident company secretary, who must be a natural person.

License fees

Minimal annual statutory filing fees of approximately S$20.

Financial statements required

Annual audited accounts are required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies. The accounts must be audited by a registered certified public accountant in Singapore. However, audit exemption is available to qualified companies.

Companies qualifying for audit exemptions are:
Exempt companies:

  • Members of the company do not exceed 20.
  • Members of the company are individuals and not a corporation.
  • Annual turnover does not exceed S$5m.

Dormant companies:

  • Company that has no accounting transactions for the financial year in question or has not started business since its incorporation.

Directors

A minimum of one (for both individual and corporate shareholders), who must be a Singapore resident individual. To fulfill this requirement, we could assist you in appointing a Singapore professional director. A foreigner who wants to register a new company in Singapore and act as a resident director of the company or operate the company, a valid pass must be obtained from the government first.

Shareholders

A minimum of one shareholder is required. Shareholders may be corporations or individuals. 100% foreign ownership is allowed.

Our company licensing services

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Disclaimer: While TBA & Associates strives to make the information on this website as timely and accurate as possible, the information itself is for reference purposes only. You should not substitute the information provided in this article for competent legal advice. Feel free to contact TBA Customer Services for advice on your specific cases.

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