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Doing business in Singapore for clients from Switzerland

Swiss groups, fund managers and founders often ask how to add Singapore to what they already have at home. The two countries have a long-standing tax treaty and a free trade agreement, and their crypto-asset rules are close enough to be read side by side.

Two hubs and one group

A Swiss company can use Singapore as its Asian holding company or as the operating arm of a Zug structure. Groups in regulated businesses will want to read how a Swiss group obtains a Singapore licence, and managers can look at a Singapore fund with a Swiss manager. For individuals, the book covers the move from Switzerland to Singapore and the estate with Swiss elements.

Tax treaty and trade agreements

The present double taxation agreement is comprehensive and ratified. It was signed on 24 February 2011, entered into force on 1 August 2012 and replaced an agreement of 1975. A protocol of 27 July 2017 amends it. Trade falls under the free trade agreement between Singapore and the EFTA states, signed in June 2002 and in force since January 2003.

Below you will find the articles written for clients from Switzerland as they are published, followed by the sections of the book Singapore as an International Financial Centre. For the law of Switzerland you can rely on your own lawyers or on the Zurich practice of Dr Alexander Ressos, who can also coordinate the Swiss side of a Singapore project.

Singapore as an International Financial Centre