Investors considering Singapore incorporation can benefit from the country's reputation as a highly respected global financial centre. A company in Singapore projects a positive image to potential customers, suppliers, investors and venture capitalists.

Singapore incorporation is both cost effective and efficient when compared to other international jurisdictions. According to the World Bank's Doing Business 2010 Survey, Singapore is also the world's easiest place to do business.

The Singapore Companies Act 1963 governs company incorporation. The regulations to set up a company in Singapore include no corporate directors and no more than 50 shareholders for a private limited company. Both individual and corporate shareholders are permitted. The minimum authorised share capital for a Singapore company is S$1.

The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) offers financial incentives and assistance to investors completing Singapore incorporation. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), business-friendly Singapore remains the third-largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Asia, after China and Hong Kong.

Investors considering Singapore incorporation can benefit from the country's strong client confidentiality laws, including the commitment to follow the globally recognised standards set by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This makes banking in Singapore a reputable and safe jurisdiction for investors to migrate their wealth.

Singapore incorporation is completed through the Accounting and Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA). The process for Singapore incorporation is normally completed by a Singapore based corporate services firm.

Having completed Singapore incorporation, a company must register for goods & sales tax (GST) if annual sales exceed S$1 million (US$614,000) in a calendar year. Singapore levies a 7% GST in lieu of value added tax (VAT) and import duty. However, Singapore company sales to international customers are GST-exempt.

The details of a Singapore company, for example shareholder and director information, are available for public viewing on the ACRA online public register upon completion of Singapore incorporation.

Investors who complete Singapore incorporation have access to the wide range of comprehensive double taxation treaties Singapore has signed with 60 countries, including Japan, China, Germany, France, the UK and Canada.