Building a Business on a Solid Foundation
Incorporation and Administration
Establishing a new corporate entity is a foundational step in any business venture, and it demands precision and foresight from the very outset. The choice of legal structure, the drafting of constitutional documents, and the implementation of a clear governance framework are all critical elements that will be scrutinised by regulators, banks, and potential investors. Getting these fundamentals right is essential for trading with confidence and building a platform for future growth.
Zetland provides a comprehensive, end-to-end incorporation and ongoing administration service across the leading business centres in Asia and the United Arab Emirates. We guide our clients through the entire process, from advising on the optimal corporate vehicle and shareholding structure to preparing all necessary documentation and coordinating filings and licence applications.
Our clients include internationally active SMEs, high-growth companies, family-owned groups, and cross-border investors who value a reliable and expert partner to manage their statutory duties and corporate housekeeping. This allows their leadership teams to focus on customers and operations, rather than administrative burdens.
Incorporation and Administration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's business friendly environment, simple tax system, and straightforward incorporation process make it a preferred location for international companies. Zetland's service in Hong Kong covers every aspect of company formation and ongoing administration under the Companies Ordinance. We begin by advising on the most suitable entity type, typically a private company limited by shares. We then handle the entire incorporation process, including the reservation of your chosen company name and the preparation and filing of all incorporation documents with the Companies Registry. Upon incorporation, we establish the company's full statutory records, including the register of members, the register of directors, and the Significant Controllers Register (SCR), ensuring compliance.
A critical part of our service is ensuring each new entity is 'banking ready'. We prepare a comprehensive, certified set of corporate documents and assist with the completion of the bank's extensive application forms and KYC questionnaires and drafting a business plan. Our ongoing administration service ensures companies remains in good standing. We provide a full company secretarial function, which includes preparing and filing the annual return, managing changes of directors or shareholders, and recording key resolutions.
Incorporation and Administration in Singapore
Singapore is renowned for its efficiency, transparency, and high standards of corporate governance. Zetland's incorporation and administration services in Singapore are structured to ensure a business fully complies with the expected standards. We manage the incorporation process with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), from the reservation of the company name to the final issuance of the electronic certificate of incorporation.
We provide expert guidance on all local compliance requirements, including the mandatory appointment of a locally resident director and a qualified company secretary – both roles Zetland can fulfil. Upon incorporation, we establish all the statutory registers required under the Singapore Companies Act, including the Register of Registrable Controllers (RORC), ensuring full compliance with Singapore's transparency regulations.
Zetland's team provides dedicated support for the opening of corporate bank accounts, a process that requires a high level of due diligence and careful preparation of business plans and supporting documents. Our ongoing administration service is designed to keep each company fully compliant.
We manage all annual filing requirements with ACRA, including the submission of the Annual Return, and we can coordinate the preparation of the financial statements in the required XBRL format. Our company secretarial service includes the preparation of all necessary board resolutions and minutes, the maintenance of all statutory records, and the management of any changes to the company's structure or officers.
Incorporation and Administration in Mainland China
The process of establishing and administering a company in Mainland China is significantly more complex than in many other jurisdictions. Zetland's Shanghai team provides the essential on-the-ground expertise to navigate this intricate landscape.
The most common vehicle for foreign investment, the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE), requires a multi-stage approval and registration process. We manage this entire workflow, from the initial name approval with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) to obtaining the business licence and managing all post-establishment registrations with the relevant authorities, including the tax bureau and the social security bureau.
A critical part of the setup is the careful drafting of the WFOE's articles of association and the precise definition of its business scope, which dictates its legal operational capabilities. We provide expert guidance on these crucial early decisions. The administration of a Chinese company also involves unique elements, most notably the management of the company 'chops' or official seals, which are the legal representation of the company's authority. We assist in establishing a robust internal control framework for the custody and use of these chops to mitigate risk.
Zetland's ongoing administration services include managing the complex annual compliance requirements, such as the statutory audit, the annual corporate income tax reconciliation, and the annual 'related-party transactions' filing. We also provide a full company secretarial function, ensuring that all board resolutions and changes to the company's registration details are correctly documented and filed.
Incorporation and Administration in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Then UAE continues to position itself as a premier jurisdiction for international business, offering a sophisticated regulatory framework, strategic location and investor-friendly policies. At Zetland we guide clients through the process of incorporating and administering companies across the UAE's three primary structures: mainland, free zone, and offshore.
Mainland companies, now eligible for 100% foreign ownership in most sectors offer unrestricted access to the UAE market and government contracts. Free zones, meanwhile, remain attractive for international entrepreneurs seeking tax efficiencies, streamlined licensing and full ownership, though they are generally restricted from direct mainland trade without a local agent. Offshore entities are ideal for holding structures and international trading, provide confidentiality and tax neutrality but cannot operate within the UAE.
Recent reforms including the introduction of a 9% corporate tax on profits exceeding AED 375,000 (15% minimum tax for large multinational enterprises), underscore the importance of robust structuring and compliance. Regulatory obligations such as Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) registration, Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance are now central to corporate governance in the UAE.
Zetland offers end-to-end support, from entity selection and licensing to ongoing administration, banking and regulatory filings. With deep regional expertise and a global perspective, we ensure our clients establish and maintain compliant, efficient structures aligned with their strategic goals.