Foreign Investment

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Meet our regional team of experienced lawyers

We have represented numerous foreign and multinational corporations across a wide spectrum of sectors that have established business operations in Southeast Asia. This area of our practice covers an entire range of services from strategic planning to establishing a business in Singapore, including advising on day-to-day operations, as well as the acquisition and disposal of businesses.

For a multinational or foreign corporation planning to operate in Southeast Asia, it is important to select the most appropriate form of business entity that matches the intended business objectives. To this end, we provide our clients with advice in making such a selection, advising on applicable tax incentives, providing manpower advice including on visa programs designed specifically for foreign entrepreneurs and innovators, preparing all necessary documentation for any government approvals, and assisting in obtaining such approvals on a timely basis.

Featured insights

Unlocking Opportunities in Indonesia’s New Capital through Business-Friendly Reforms

The Indonesian government has enacted a regulation concerning the Provision of Business Licenses, Ease of Doing Business, and Investment Facilities for Investors in Indonesia’s new capital, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN) in March 2023 (“Regulation“). Among others, the Regulation introduces conveniences and facilities for investors to encourage them to invest in IKN and its partner regions, which are specific areas in Kalimantan established for the development and growth of IKN’s economic superhub in collaboration with the IKN authority.

How We Can Assist

Our team of dedicated lawyers is well versed in working across industries and navigating the regulations associated with foreign direct investment (FDI) frameworks. We have extensive experience in advising on joint ventures and foreign investments for both domestic and international clients, including structuring investments, advising on inter-shareholder rights, carrying out due diligence, advising on transfers of assets (including stamp duty issues and exemptions), taxation and employment advice, drafting, reviewing and negotiating joint venture documents, advising on trademarks, patents, copyright and data protection issues, and advising on compliance with regulatory requirements.

In addition to strategic advice, we have been involved in applications to regulatory and governmental authorities for incentive schemes, advise on regulatory and compliance issues, and providing corporate secretarial services (through our corporate secretarial team) which includes company incorporation, provision of registered office and business address, and immigration services.

Once a business entity is established, we provide a full range of post-establishment and related services, including advising on additional capitalisation, debt issuances, change of business entity, public offerings, office or factory site location and leasing, and commercial agreements relating to outsourcing, licensing arrangements, manufacturing, distribution and franchising.

We have extensive experience in advising on joint ventures and strategic alliances, and have advised on numerous headline-making cross-border joint ventures across Southeast Asia. In addition, we have handled many partnerships of various sizes, advising foreign investors as well as domestic companies.

Our deep understanding of the law, sound commercial mindedness and comprehensive experience in establishing and providing on-going services to joint ventures allows us to provide special insight into problems and issues that arise frequently and that the foreign investor or the domestic company should take into account, including among others, issues relating to corporate governance and dispute resolution.

Recognition

Highly Recommended - Private Equity (Indonesia, Singapore)

asialaw (2024)
Tier 1 - Investment Funds (Singapore)

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2024)
Band 1 - Investment Funds (Singapore)

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2024)
Band 2 - Startups & Emerging Companies (Singapore)

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2024)
"Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio provides extensive advice on foreign investments, share and asset acquisitions, as well as regulatory and compliance issues and divestments in the Philippines."

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2024)
(Philippines)

Provide extensive advice on foreign investments, share and asset acquisitions, as well as regulatory and compliance issues and divestments.

Chambers Global 2024 (Philippines)