Successfully entering a new Asian market is a complex venture that requires careful planning, deep local knowledge, and flawless execution. Each jurisdiction presents its own unique set of opportunities and challenges, from navigating intricate regulatory landscapes to understanding local business customs and compliance requirements. A successful launch depends on getting the fundamentals right from the very beginning. This includes selecting the most appropriate legal structure, securing the necessary licences and permits, establishing reliable banking facilities, and setting up the essential back-office infrastructure to support your commercial activities. Zetland Fiduciary Group provides comprehensive, end-to-end market entry support, acting as your trusted partner to manage these critical setup phases. We manage the entire project to a single, coordinated plan, ensuring that all dependencies are handled in the correct sequence and that timelines are met. Our experienced teams on the ground in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Mainland China provide the local insights and practical support needed to navigate the specifics of each jurisdiction. Our service is designed to make your ramp-up period faster, more efficient, and more predictable, allowing your leadership team to focus on strategic goals and business development, rather than getting bogged down in administrative and regulatory complexities. We handle the groundwork so you can start operating with confidence and momentum from day one. By providing a single point of coordination, we ensure a coherent and efficient approach, mitigating the risks of miscommunication and delay that can arise when dealing with multiple advisors in different locations, ultimately providing a more streamlined and cost-effective path to market.
Hong Kong is a leading choice for international businesses looking to establish a foothold in Asia, renowned for its simple tax system, free flow of capital, and world-class infrastructure. Our market entry service in Hong Kong provides a comprehensive, project-managed approach to launching your operations. The first step is the swift incorporation of a Hong Kong limited company, a process we manage in its entirety. We then assist with the application for any industry-specific licences or permits required. A major challenge for new businesses is the opening of a corporate bank account, and our dedicated team provides expert assistance, preparing the extensive due diligence packs required by banks and leveraging our network to facilitate the process. We also offer practical support in establishing your physical presence, from securing a prestigious registered office address to assisting with the search for serviced or leased office space. To build your local team, we manage the setup of your Hong Kong payroll, including registration for the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) and the arrangement of Employees' Compensation Insurance, ensuring you are a compliant employer from the start. We establish your accounting and bookkeeping systems, ensuring they are structured to facilitate the mandatory annual audit and the preparation of your profits tax return for the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). Our end-to-end service ensures that all the foundational elements of your business are in place and properly coordinated, delivering a fully compliant and operationally ready business, poised for success in the dynamic Hong Kong market.
Singapore's strategic location, political stability, and pro-business policies make it an exceptional base for accessing the rapidly growing markets of Southeast Asia. Our market entry support in Singapore is designed to navigate the local regulatory environment efficiently, ensuring a smooth and successful launch. We begin by managing the incorporation of your Singapore private limited company with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements, including the appointment of a resident director, which we can facilitate. Securing the right business licences is a critical next step, and we guide you through the application process for any permits relevant to your sector. We also provide dedicated support for the opening of your corporate bank account, a process that demands meticulous preparation of business plans and KYC documentation. Establishing your team in Singapore involves specific local compliance. We manage the setup of your payroll system, ensuring it is compliant with the Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution requirements for local employees. We also assist with the necessary work pass applications for any foreign staff. Our service includes the setup of your financial infrastructure, from implementing a GST-compliant accounting system to establishing a calendar for all your statutory filing deadlines with ACRA and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). By providing a single, coordinated point of contact for all these setup activities, we ensure that your Singaporean entity is established on a robust foundation of good governance and compliance, allowing you to focus on capturing the significant business opportunities that the region offers.
Entering the vast market of Mainland China requires specialised knowledge and expert on-the-ground support. Our Shanghai team provides a comprehensive market entry service tailored to the unique complexities of doing business in China. The most common entry vehicle for foreign investors is the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE), and we manage this intricate, multi-stage establishment process from start to finish. This includes obtaining name approval, securing the approval certificate from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), and obtaining the business licence from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). A critical part of this process is defining the WFOE's business scope, which we help you to craft carefully to ensure it aligns with your long-term strategic goals. Following the formal establishment, we manage all the necessary post-licence registrations, including with the tax bureau, the customs department (if applicable), and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). Opening bank accounts in China, including a capital account and an RMB basic account, is a key step that we closely manage. We also provide full support for establishing your local operations. This includes the setup of a payroll system that is compliant with local social security and individual income tax regulations, and the implementation of an accounting system that adheres to Chinese Accounting Standards (CAS) and correctly handles the 'fapiao' invoicing system. Our end-to-end management of the market entry process mitigates the significant administrative and regulatory burdens of establishing a business in China, ensuring your venture is structured for compliance and positioned for success.
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.