Singapore Remains a Central Hub for Company Formations Despite Drop in Overall Q4 Figures

The number of company formations in Singapore dropped in Q4, but foreign investors and enterprises continued to establish their enterprises or subsidiaries in the island state even amidst economic uncertainties.

The business formation numbers plummeted by 5.7% in the quarter, however this has been the usual pattern in all preceding review years, except for year 2014, which was an anomaly. For the whole of Q4 2015, a total of 16,612 businesses were formed, whereas in Q4 2014 a total of 20,540 businesses were formed.

While the year ended on a somber note with the western economies struggling to sustain a modest recovery, the fact that the business formation numbers is within the standard range observed for fourth quarters, even amidst the anaemic global economic conditions, endorses the integral strength of Singapore.

Private limited companies continued to be the dominant type, with 48.8% share of the total business formation; a marginal dip against the preceding quarter when it held 49.1%. The share of Non-exempt Private Limited Companies inched up in this quarter both in terms of total formations and Private Company registration. With 1,421 Non-Exempt Private Limited Companies formed during the quarter, Singapore’s reputation as a pro-business nation has been cemented.

The share of foreign held companies remained at 35% in Q4. The share has continued to remain constant against 2014 as well, testifying to the confidence of foreign enterprises and investors in Singapore as an Asian business hub. Singapore allows 100% foreign ownership and free repatriation of the profits; these aspects play a key role in attracting foreigners to the shores of the island state.

评论业务形成统计数据，杰奎琳新加坡首席运营官杰奎琳·洛克斯表示：“本季度的数字登记的逢低是通常的，它符合上一季度的市场行为。数字与前几年记录的最终季度平均数符合2014年。鉴于全球经济因湍流达到今年年底，2015年2015年的业务注册方面一直是一个相当愉快的一年。

新加坡继续吸引国际投资者和企业家。外国个人股东的份额持续28％。来自印度，中国和马来西亚的个人继续占主导地位。个人投资者也越来越多地来自日本，澳大利亚，印度尼西亚，英国和法国等不同的来源国家。

Subsidiary formation by foreign companies accounted for half of the subsidiary formations in Q4. From 48% in Q3 it has increased to 50% in Q4 of 2015. Entities from British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong with 7% and 4% respectively continue to account for the highest share of foreign subsidiaries formed. The share of Chinese and Indian subsidiaries increased to 3% in Q4 as against preceding quarter.

Ms Low added: ‘Singapore continued to attract foreign companies, investors and entrepreneurs because of its strong business fundamentals and its strength as a financial and trade hub. However we should also take note that it is not insulated from the global economic conditions. We expect the regional economies and trade integrations to sustain the economic vibrancy here. The strong employment numbers and growth in incomes will buoy the domestic consumption. We look forward for the much-desired thrust in the global economy to drive up the business formation numbers in 2016.’

注意：在早期版本中，我们提到了7.9％的数字暴跌，为2014年和2015年提供了不正确的数据。
These are incorrect, and we have updated the correct figures as above and re-issued a new report. If you are unable to view the new report, please press Ctrl-F5 to clear your browser cache. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.