Singapore Office | Zetland Fiduciary Group

Zetland Singapore

INTRODUCTION

Singapore, a sovereign city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, has evolved from a regional trading post into one of the world's most connected financial and logistics hubs. Its strategic location on major shipping lanes, coupled with world-class port and airport facilities, makes Singapore an essential springboard for businesses looking to access Southeast Asia's 650-million-strong consumer market and beyond.

Singapore is internationally acclaimed for its transparent legal system, business-friendly regulatory framework, and political stability. Successive governments have cultivated a pro-enterprise environment with competitive tax rates, extensive double-tax treaties, and generous incentives for innovation, fintech, and sustainable development—attracting more than 37,000 international companies, including many Fortune 500 regional headquarters.

Zetland's Singapore office provides clients with direct access to these advantages. Operating from the central business district, we combine local expertise with global perspective to deliver incorporation, fiduciary, accounting, and immigration solutions tailored to Singapore's strict but efficient regulatory landscape.

Singapore Services

Zetland offers a comprehensive range of corporate, fiduciary, and advisory services from our Singapore office. Backed by multilingual professionals and a broad partner network, we combine regulatory insight with practical execution. From selecting the optimal entity structure and opening bank accounts to outsourcing payroll, filing taxes, or applying for Employment Passes, our Singapore team tailors solutions that address risk, maximise incentives, and support your long-term strategic objectives.

Companies - Private Ltd, LLP, LP, RO or Branch Office Formation

Zetland handles the complete incorporation cycle for Singapore entities including name reservation, drafting constitution and shareholder agreements, ACRA filing, certificates issuance and ensuring compliance after incorporation. We detail the merits of each structure regarding taxes, liability, statutory audit thresholds, and licensing obligations, helping you choose the structure that aligns with your commercial objectives and expansion timeline.

Provision of Company Secretaries, Nominee Shareholders and Nominee Directors

Zetland supplies qualified resident company secretaries as well as vetted nominee directors and shareholders. Our professionals maintain statutory registers, prepare annual returns, hold board meetings, and liaise with authorities. This allows clients to meet local residency requirements, protect beneficial ownership, and demonstrate best-practice corporate governance.

Assistance with Bank Account Opening and Operation

We streamline the notoriously rigorous process of opening bank account in Singapore by pre-screening documentation, arranging interviews, and managing KYC expectations. By leveraging strong relationships with major local and international banks, we assist clients in securing multi-currency corporate accounts, online banking, merchant services, and trade-finance lines. Post-opening, we provide ongoing support for compliance reviews, account optimisation, and transaction monitoring.

Company Administration

Zetland provides turnkey administration to ensure each Singapore entity is in good standing. This includes drafting directors' resolutions, filing XBRL financial statements, maintaining minute books, overseeing licence renewals, and managing changes to share capital or directorships. We also facilitate virtual office solutions, mail forwarding, and legalisation, ensuring seamless operations.

Accounting and Tax Compliance

Our accountants can produce timely management accounts, prepare GST returns, and compile financial statements in accordance with Singapore Financial Reporting Standards. We file Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI), corporate tax returns, and applications for partial exemption schemes. By monitoring deadlines and leveraging available incentives, for example, the Start-Up Tax Exemption and R&D super deductions, we keep reporting accurate while optimising the tax position.

Application for Work Visas and Permanent Residence

Zetland can assist in preparing Employment Pass, EntrePass, S-Pass, and Dependant Pass submissions, compiling business plans, salary benchmarks, and academic verifications that satisfy the Ministry of Manpower. For long-term executives, we guide clients through Permanent Residence pathways, including the Global Investor Programme, supporting document collection, financial thresholds, and interview readiness.

Provision of Escrow Services

Zetland provides regulated escrow services for transactions needing third-party oversight, like M&A and high-value asset sales. We create escrow agreements, hold funds or documents securely, and release them upon agreed conditions. Our platform reduces counterparty risk and ensures trust within Singapore's strong legal framework.

Zetland Trade: Commodity & Logistics Solutions

Zetland Trade helps commodity traders and distributors establish trading desks in Singapore, arrange trade financing, and manage logistics with bonded warehouses and free-trade zones. We can handle import/export licensing, Incoterms, and foreign-exchange hedging, allowing clients to benefit from Singapore's double-tax treaties, top-tier port facilities, and reliable legal framework.

BACKGROUND

Located off the south of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is an island measuring 710 sq km, with state of the art communications and world class infrastructure. Most of the major financial institutions, banks, law and accountancy firms have a presence in Singapore. It is one of the top global financial centres of the world. Singapore has consistently been rated by the Corruptions Perceptions Index as among the top ten least corrupt countries in the world and the least corrupt country in Asia.

To date, Singapore has concluded free trade agreements ('FTA') among others with major economies including the United States, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India and Jordan. These FTAs provide privileged access to the markets of partner countries. Beyond Asia, Singapore is also building links with countries further afield including the Middle East, capitalising on the growing trade and investment interests between the two regions. It is also in the OECD 'white list' of jurisdictions that have implemented the internationally agreed tax standard.

Despite the small size and lack of natural resources, Singapore ranks among the most competitive economies in the world. Singapore has succeeded because of its political stability; honest and competent government; competitive economy; educated workforce; meritocratic society; strong social fabric and strong defence capability which has ensured the security and sovereignty of the country.

LEGAL & BUSINESS

Singapore is renowned for its robust and transparent legal framework and business-friendly environment, making it a premier destination for entrepreneurs and multinational companies. The legal system is governed by the rule of law, which provides a solid foundation for both local and foreign businesses. A variety of business structures are available, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations.

The most common choice for businesses is the private limited company (Pte Ltd), which limits the liability of its owners. Registration with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) is straightforward and can often be completed online within a day. The regulatory framework in Singapore is characterised by its efficiency and effectiveness. Businesses must comply with laws governing employment, taxation, and environmental standards, ensuring a fair playing field in the market.

INFRASTRUCTURE & ECONOMY

Singapore boasts excellent infrastructure and efficient transportation systems spanning air, ground, and sea. As a free port, it exempts most items from customs and excise duties. Singapore is one of the leading international financial centres and its government constantly provides generous tax and financial incentives to attract foreign investments. There are many types of government assistance for new business start-ups and existing businesses that intend to operate within Singapore or internationally.

FINANCE & TAXATION

Singapore has established a highly reputable and thriving financial centre that serves not only its own economy but also the broader Asia-Pacific region and internationally. It offers a comprehensive range of financial services, including banking, insurance, investment banking, and treasury services, supported by one of the most well-developed capital markets in Asia-Pacific.

The Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) is a preferred listing platform for various companies. The country's bond market has also expanded significantly, providing a wide array of Singapore government securities and foreign corporate bonds, creating numerous investment opportunities for fixed income investors.

Additionally, Singapore boasts a low corporate tax rate of 17%, which can be further reduced through specific tax exemptions and incentives. Its taxation system is primarily territorial and remittance-based, with over 60 Double Taxation Agreements in place with other countries. Despite its advanced financial infrastructure, Singapore remains cost-competitive compared to other major global financial hubs.

GENERAL

SKILLED WORKFORCE & ATTRACTION OF TALENTS

Singapore boasts a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, carefully developed through robust training and education programs to meet the specific needs of various industries. While actively nurturing local talent to ensure a steady supply of skilled professionals, Singapore also maintains an open-door policy that welcomes international talent and expertise. This inclusive approach attracts global professionals, enriching the local workforce and fostering innovation, ultimately supporting Singapore's position as a global business hub. English functions as the primary language of commerce and communication, serving as one of the four official languages alongside Malay, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil. The city-state offers a broad range of amenities and attractions that support business operations and networking, including landscaped parks, cultural institutions, historic sites, state-of-the-art office spaces, hospitality venues, entertainment districts, and world-class conference facilities.