Asia presents a compelling but complex landscape for international investors. The region's diverse markets offer immense growth potential, but navigating the varied legal, regulatory, and cultural environments requires deep local knowledge and practical, on-the-ground expertise. A successful investment strategy in Asia depends on more than just capital; it requires the right corporate structure, a solid understanding of local compliance obligations, and efficient operational support to manage the day-to-day realities of doing business. Zetland Fiduciary Group acts as a strategic partner for investors looking to plan and execute their Asian expansion strategies. We provide a comprehensive and integrated platform for growth, delivering essential support that works in practice, not just on paper. From the initial stages of market entry analysis to the ongoing administration of your established operations, our dedicated teams in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai are positioned to help you succeed. We assist you in selecting the optimal corporate or trust structure for your investment goals, ensuring it is both tax-efficient and compliant with all relevant regulations. Our service is designed to let you focus on your commercial objectives, confident that the underlying corporate governance, compliance, and administration are being managed to the highest professional standards, mitigating risks and paving the way for a successful and sustainable investment journey. Our integrated approach across our key Asian offices ensures that clients receive a seamless service, whether they are establishing a regional holding structure or a series of local operating entities. We understand that each market has its own unique challenges and opportunities, and our localised expertise allows us to provide advice that is both strategic and practical, helping you to build a resilient and successful presence in this dynamic region.
Hong Kong stands as a premier gateway for international investment into Asia, particularly mainland China, offering a unique combination of a Western legal system, a simple and low-tax regime, and unrestricted capital flows. Our Hong Kong office provides comprehensive support for investors looking to leverage these advantages. We guide clients through the process of selecting the most appropriate investment vehicle, which is typically a private company limited by shares due to its flexibility and limited liability. We manage the entire incorporation process, ensuring swift registration with the Companies Registry and the Business Registration Office. A key strength of our service is our deep expertise in navigating Hong Kong's banking sector. We assist clients in preparing the rigorous documentation required for corporate bank account opening, leveraging our long-standing relationships with leading international and local banks to streamline the process. Once your company is established, we provide ongoing company secretarial services to ensure full compliance with the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, including the maintenance of statutory registers, the filing of annual returns, and the preparation of all necessary board resolutions. Our accounting team can manage your bookkeeping, prepare periodic management accounts, and coordinate the annual audit with a local audit firm, a mandatory requirement for all Hong Kong companies. Furthermore, we provide expert guidance on Hong Kong's territorial tax system, helping you to structure your operations in a manner that is both compliant and efficient. Our integrated service provides a stable and professionally managed platform for your Hong Kong investments, allowing you to focus on capturing the abundant commercial opportunities available in the region.
Singapore has cultivated a global reputation as a top-tier destination for investment, thanks to its political stability, strong rule of law, and extensive network of double taxation agreements. Our Singapore office provides a full suite of services to help investors establish and manage their presence in this strategic Southeast Asian hub. We offer expert advice on the most suitable legal entity for your investment, which is often a private limited company (Pte Ltd), and we handle all aspects of the incorporation process with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). A critical requirement for any Singaporean company is the appointment of a resident director and a qualified company secretary, roles that we can fulfil to ensure you meet these statutory obligations from day one. Our team provides diligent company secretarial support, managing all ongoing compliance requirements, such as the filing of annual returns and the maintenance of the Register of Registrable Controllers (RORC), ensuring your company remains in good standing. We also offer comprehensive accounting services, from day-to-day bookkeeping to the preparation of unaudited financial statements in compliance with Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS). Our team will coordinate with local auditors for the annual statutory audit, if required, and will manage your corporate tax compliance, including the preparation and filing of your annual tax return with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Our deep understanding of the local regulatory environment, combined with our practical, hands-on approach, provides a robust and efficient platform for your Singaporean investments, enabling you to capitalise on the city-state's exceptional connectivity and pro-business policies to drive your regional growth.
Investing in Mainland China offers unparalleled market opportunities, but it also requires careful navigation of a complex and evolving regulatory landscape. Our Shanghai office provides the essential on-the-ground expertise to guide foreign investors through this process. The most common investment vehicle for foreign investors is the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE), which provides the greatest degree of control over operations. We manage the entire WFOE establishment process, from obtaining the initial approval from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) to registering with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and handling all other necessary post-establishment procedures, such as opening a capital account with a local bank. Our team understands the critical importance of defining the WFOE's scope of business accurately, as this will dictate its permissible activities. We provide ongoing support to ensure your WFOE remains fully compliant with China's multifaceted legal and financial systems. This includes managing your accounting in accordance with Chinese Accounting Standards (CAS), which differs significantly from IFRS. We ensure that your financial records are meticulously maintained and reconciled with the official 'fapiao' invoice system. Our team also manages your complex tax obligations, including Value Added Tax (VAT), Corporate Income Tax (CIT), and various surcharges, ensuring timely and accurate filings with the State Taxation Administration (STA). Furthermore, we assist with the annual compliance requirements, such as the statutory audit and the annual enterprise income tax reconciliation report. Navigating China's foreign exchange controls is another key area of our expertise, and we advise clients on the procedures for repatriating profits and managing cross-border transactions. With our expert guidance and administrative support, investors can confidently establish and grow their business in China, mitigating the inherent complexities and focusing on the vast market potential.
Zetland Fiduciary Group operates a global network of offices to support clients across key international financial hubs. Whether you are seeking guidance on company formation, trust administration, accounting, or cross-border transactions, our local experts in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and London are ready to assist.
Contact any of our offices directly for tailored advice and seamless service.