Did you know by age 2 we lose half the neurons we were born with, but that 80% of the synapses made stay with us for life? Early Years Specialists, Blue House Nursery & International Preschool share here with us some of the benefits to children in joining the right Nursery and Preschool environment from 18 months of age.
“Children around 18 months – 2.5 years of age benefit greatly from being placed in a language rich environment. A skilled educator will pose questions that encourage children to explore, question, consider and test theories, their vocabulary and understanding of words, language and context growing each and every day. Children grow exponentially in an environment that invites their expression, that values and supports their individual voice – they grow in confidence, belonging, being and their desire to connect more outwardly to the community and environment around them is ignited – “I’ve got this classroom now, I wonder what else is out there for me that I could investigate?”
Children are highly social creatures with great desire to connect and make sense of the world around them. Around 18 months to 2 years old, we see children moving from solitary play to more parallel play or playing side by side of other children. This provides children with an incredible opportunity to drive each others learning. They will watch and inspire each other, demonstrating different ways of doing things that children may copy, learn from and test themselves. At this age it is also a wonderful opportunity for children to gain feelings of respect for others, and in valuing others ideas and opinions. Children very naturally gain a sense of “I can learn from others. Other people have something to teach me”. Blue House strongly believes children should not be isolated in their learning. Learning is not a process of digesting pre-packaged knowledge, is it an active process.
At this age, parents are used to making the majority of decisions for their children, however, this is the time along children’s natural stages of development that they realise they have a voice, they have the ability to control situations and take some power over their decisions (all of a sudden finding it hard to get your 18 month old to eat their beans, or get into their car seats??). Joining preschool at this age is a wonderful opportunity for children to take on some independence, to be tasked with small jobs that encourage their feelings of doing, taking charge, being effective. Jobs like carrying their back packs, hanging their bag on their hooks or taking out their water bottles and placing it in the baskets in the morning gives children such feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction. Their confidence soars, as does their appetite for learning. This is the “me do it”, “I do it” stage, so embrace it with confidence and allow your child’s voice to emerge”.
The Australian and New Zealand Association (ANZA) provides social, sporting and recreational opportunities for Australian and New Zealand expatriates, as well as all other nationalities living in Singapore.
We are in search of a talented individual to join the ANZA team as Graphic Designer. This role is a fantastic opportunity for a creative individual to take ownership of the creative vision of the ANZA Magazine and our annual events.
The Graphic Designer is responsible for designing content for both in-house graphics and the monthly ANZA Magazine. The Graphic Designer will be heavily involved in the creative layout of the monthly magazine alongside the Editor, as well as designing creative content for ANZA’s events and marketing. The applicant will need a solid knowledge of Australian and New Zealand culture.
Job Description:
Magazine
Working with the Editor to implement the needs of the ANZA Magazine
Design and prepare the monthly ANZA Magazine for print
Purchase, source or create graphics for magazine content
Ensure all incoming advertisements are ready for print
Liaise with printer to oversee monthly production
In-house Graphics
Work with the events manager to conceptualise and design all artwork for events including posters, programs, media boards, backdrops, leaflets, tickets, etc
Manage and maintain the ANZA brand and corporate identity
General designs including updating in-house stationary and large format banners
Source for printers and suppliers
Website
Design and create all in-house website creatives including home slider and footer, banners, event landing pages
Design microsites for event sponsorship promotions
Skills Required
Minimum three years’ experience in publication design and production
Degree Qualified
Must be able to manage design process from conceptualisation to production
Must have experience in, and strong understanding of, print production requirements for various formats
Advanced knowledge of Creative Suite 5.5
Website design knowledge will be highly regarded
Strong time management skills to concurrently handle multiple projects
Business proficiency in written and spoken English
Meticulous with keen eye for detail
This is a full-time role. Interested applicants please email your cover letter, CV and samples of your portfolio to Kerry Low [email protected]. Please include your available starting date and current visa status. Applications close Friday 11 May. We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
ANZA Action’s Rae Moller encourages you to help our four-legged friends this month.
As expats, we all know how hard it is to leave family and friends behind us, but for many people that also means leaving our four-legged friends too. It’s never easy to say goodbye to our furry or feathered companions. As this month’s ANZA Magazine theme is celebrating the Year of the Dog, and all of our beloved critters, what better time to talk about how you can help animals here in Singapore, whether small, large or even invertebrate?
CATS AND DOGS
It is fair to say it is ‘raining cats and dogs’ with opportunities to volunteer for the
canines and felines in Singapore.
Dogs
There are many, many shelters which provide volunteering and fostering opportunities. Most of the dogs are street dogs, or abandoned pets, and the shelters are generally keen to get people along on weekdays to help out. At the shelter, you could be involved in cleaning the area, washing or walking the dogs, and feeding. Some also run adoption drives, are involved in advocacy, and need administration and other support. If you have a vehicle, you can help by transporting dogs to the vets, or picking up food and supplies. To foster a dog, shelters require a one or two month minimum commitment, and will match the dog to the person to ensure that the dog finds a suitable foster parent. Fostering is generally for those experienced with dogs, as you may be required to train a puppy, or rehabilitate an abused dog. Many organisations have a minimum age requirement for any volunteering.
Cats
There are fewer shelters which are dedicated purely to cats; however there are still many opportunities to dedicate some time to. You could be involved in cat therapy, where cats are taken to visit elderly people; you could foster kittens, or help look after community cats. If you want to visit cats, the Cat Museum has a resident population as well, and your visit will help keep the Museum in existence and not have to close.
Rabbits
There is a charity dedicated to rescuing, sterilising and rehoming abandoned and maltreated rabbits. The process to foster or adopt is strict to ensure that rabbits do not cause allergies to family members.
House Rabbit Society (hrss.net or facebook.con/FHRSS)
Riding for the Disabled Association Singapore
ANZA members already know and love RDA, and you can read more about them elsewhere in this issue. The RDA are always looking for side-walkers to walk alongside the riders (so no horse riding ability needed). Or, if you miss ‘mucking out’, then there are options to help out with this, and other stable work.
Wildlife
Channel your inner Steve Irwin and help out at ACRES, the wildlife rescue and advocacy people. If you are over-14 you can help out at the wildlife sanctuary, and if you are over-21 you can head out with a rescue officer. Fundraisers are always needed too!
Crab Rescue
Feel like getting down and dirty? Every month the Nature Society goes to the Mandai Flats to untangle Horseshoe Crabs from fishing nets and count this endangered species. This is suitable for the whole family – but make sure to take a change of clothes.
Birds & Butterflies
Every year the National Park holds bird, butterfly and dragonfly counts. Suitable for anyone over-12 with an interest in birds and insects, you will get trained to recognise the species and then count them in a specific week. Registrations have closed for this year, but plan ahead for next year.
Two ANZA families introduce us to the four-legged members of the home that complete life here in Singapore.
Photography by Charley Larcombe
Georgia Anna Vieusseux & Peter Tasevski, originally from Sydney, are the proud owners of nine-month-old Golden Retriever, Georgia.
“Having lived in Singapore nearly four years, we felt the final thing to feel truly settled in was to have a dog and so we looked for a puppy.
Georgia is incredibly loving and just so delighted to see us. When one of us is on the way back from travelling, we message the other in the ride up in the lift so they can film the welcome show she puts on. She’s our shadow, following us about the apartment and is always curious, whether standing guard watching the comings-and-goings of Paterson Road from the balcony or playing Sous Chef in the kitchen.
We did so much reading up before we bought her and started training her from a puppy. Of course, having a dog in condo living is very different from the ease of just having a back yard like in Aus’. She did eight weeks of obedience classes at Sunny Chong, but she was brilliant from the beginning.
She doesn’t chew anything! She has her own toy box and she picks out one toy at a time to play with, before selecting another one when she gets bored – but never a pair of shoes or the furniture!
She likes to lick our toes to wake us up, but she knows that it’s only when the alarm goes off that it’s ‘get-up’ time when she can have her morning pee and breakfast before we head to the office.
She has three walks a day; mornings and evenings with us and then with our helper – or her nanny – too! We did try to look after Georgia on our own, but our work schedules mean a lot of travel and in the end this worked out as a great option. We also tried out apps like Paw Shake – essentially Tinder for dogs – where you can find people keen to walk them, keep them company and feed etc.
We often go for walks down to the river with her crew like Parker the Mini Schnauzer, Louie the Toy Poodle and fellow Golden Retriever, Nina, where it’s great for socialising – them, not us… mostly!
Sadly there aren’t lots of dog parks, despite the abundance of greenery in Singapore so we only have a couple of places to take her for a real run. We often go up to the dog run at Bishan and then every fortnight we go to Tanjong Beach Club as she loves the sea. She quickly took to swimming and now just sits in the surf to cool off.
For us, having Georgia has been like Singapore Take Two – it’s given our life here a new perspective and we explore the city much more – or at least in a different way – than we previously did. She’s such a little celebrity when she goes out anyway, a total princess who likes the attention so there’s always people stopping to pet her. She even has an Instagram account – @georgiagoldengirl_sg! Maybe her good looks and media potential could mean a couple of free bags of dog food?!”
Photography by Charley Larcombe
Henry Melbourne-ites, Ana Carapina & Brett Pickens share their condo with Henry, a three-year-old Great Dane.
“It may be hard to believe, but our previous dog was a Pug. However, a friend of ours from Perth had a Great Dane and said what great condo dogs they are because they sleep so much – Henry packs in a good 18 hours per day – and don’t need a great deal of exercise.
Despite his size, he is a total gentle giant who adores people. He loves to sniff, lick and slobber on them; he even forgets that he isn’t a lap dog and tries to sit on them. Despite getting a little over-excited at meeting new people, he is incredibly docile with children. When our two nieces come to visit, he lies down and makes sure he is more at their level.
He is like a rockstar in our condo; everyone knows him and comes to say hello (I am completely ignored). Naturally down to his size, people can find him intimidating when we’re out and about, but I always explain how gentle he is. We often get two reactions: sheer amazement where photos are requested as they’ve never seen such a big dog; or they cross the road. Little do they know he would sooner slobber you to death, than act tough. In fact, acting tough is just not something he is capable of as he is terrified of everything. Little dogs, thunder, lightening, geckos, plastic bags, snails, the mop and those green wheelie bins you find back in Australia.
He is very talented and able to remove and open a jar of peanut butter from the counter top and finish it, or unwrap garlic from the foil and devour that… suffice to say, he is now banned from the kitchen. He was also fond of stealing toilet rolls and un-rolling them throughout the entire house; thankfully he has outgrown that now.
His only downsides are the incredible amount of slobber he can produce and how it sticks to everything and that he visibly gets sad when people are afraid of him.
He cost us an absolute fortune to transport to Singapore, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. He is a giant goofball who makes us laugh, and his unconditional love is second to none!”
Kerry James and Sandi Sadek are the founders of Flower Addict – a boutique online florist offering outstanding fresh flower arrangements delivered free throughout Singapore.
The concept for Flower Addict was borne after these family-orientated mothers (whose juggling skills were finely tuned to incorporate work, travel, corporate careers, school-aged children and extended families) had spent years searching for beautiful high-end floral arrangements in Singapore at reasonable prices. “If only I could find stunning, quality flowers online,” Kerry quipped – and so, Flower Addict was born.
All of Flower Addict’s floral designs are available in two styles. Each offering can be ordered as a hand-tied bouquet, wrapped in luxurious paper and ribbon or, for those who like to try their hand at flower arranging, the flowers can be delivered flat packed with all the accompanying greenery and instructions on how to self arrange.
For recipients who deserve spoiling, there are a number of gift bundles and add-ons to choose from, including craft chocolate, hand-made candles and prosecco for those wanting something a little stronger!
Flower Addict prides itself on delivering fresh flowers in the best possible condition and to help them stay that way Sandi and Kerry suggest you follow these tips:
Flower Addict’s top 10 tips for keeping your flowers fresh:
1. If your flowers arrive wrapped in paper, remove them from the wrapping as soon as possible and wash the stems.
2. Cut 2cm off each stem at a 45 degree angle and place in water immediately. The stems will seal themselves within a minute of cutting if left out to dry and won’t be able to drink water.
3. Change the water at least every other day.
4. Add plant food to the water to prolong the life of your flowers.
5. Mist the tops of the flowers occasionally.
6. If one flower is dying, take it out to help the others last longer.
7. Keep your flowers out of direct sunlight.
8. If possible, keep flowers in a less humid room.
9. Make sure the flowers are placed away from any direct air-conditioning path.
10. Re-trim the stems every couple of days to help the flowers continue to drink water.
Flower Addict are offering FREE Fossa chocolate for orders delivered on Mother’s Day weekend, 12 and 13 May. Click here to order.
HOTSPOTS: Raelene Tan enjoys lunch at Long Chim, Marina Bay Sands.
Photograph, Chiang Mai curried noodle soup, courtesy Long Chim.
Nestled in the Celebrity Restaurants enclave, overlooking the busy casino at Marina Bay Sands, is Long Chim. This is Australian chef David Thompson’s first Long Chim restaurant-brand (with more in the pipeline) since he won acclaim for his iconic Nahm restaurant in Bangkok. In December last year Nahm, with its fine-dining ambiance, was awarded a coveted Michelin star.
At Long Chim (‘come and taste’), which opened in March 2015 with its family-friendly setting and view over Marina Bay, the focus is on Bangkok’s well-known quintessential street food with its range of styles, colours, tastes and textures.
Over lunch with a Japanese friend recently, we enjoyed new set lunch menus (two courses $25, three courses $30, kids’ menu $15, all with a drink). Our dishes included a delightful starter of grilled eggplant salad with dried prawn and steamed egg; the rich complex flavour and smooth texture made this a winner for us. Chicken satay also scored well with its alluring smoky flavour. Chiang Mai curried noodle soup, with soft, smooth, egg noodles, is aromatic, rich and creamy, somewhat akin to Singapore-style laksa. Rolled noodle soup with braised pork includes slivers of pig ear, crunchy and gelatinous. Fluffy omelette filled with minced pork is accompanied by sriracha dipping sauce, tangy and thin-textured, providing an appealing sweet, sour and spicy taste.
To cool down, choose ice cream for dessert. The Thai tea version, with pistachio and young coconut, is recommended for its authentic taste. Durian ice cream is served attractively crowned with sesame wafer pieces. A global wine list is available.
The 140-seat restaurant is a place to unwind after exploring different aspects of Marina Bay Sands.
10 Bayfront Avenue The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 018955 longchim.com.sg
ANZA Member Melissa Johnston offers an easy exercise to get that biggest of muscles working; your mind.
So what is mindfulness? It’s essentially boot camp for the mind; it enables individuals to find focus and calm in the craziness of the everyday.
When you go to the gym you lift weights to build muscle; you do star-jumps to build fitness. With mindfulness you undertake practice to train your mind (it is a muscle after all).
Mindfulness has many layers, so let’s start by just considering one. What do you do when someone in your team misses a deadline? When you get a rude email from a colleague? When you are reprimanded by your boss? When the sales pitch you have worked on for days is rejected? React, right?
As human beings, we are conditioned to do this. A reaction is driven from deep in our subconscious – so we don’t even think about it before we do it. We experience and we react. Hands up if you’ve fired off an angry reply to a rude email only to regret your reaction immediately.
When we react, we don’t always create the outcomes we desire. And it can become a vicious cycle – your angry email triggers a ruder email from your colleague that you react to… and so on.
In comes mindfulness. If we can train our minds we can turn our reactions into responses by creating space.
How? You remember your parents telling you when you were little to count to 10 and take a breath? We don’t always have the patience but it’s a concept to reintroduce. Mindfulness doesn’t happen overnight; just like going to the gym, it takes time to see results.
Remember, this is about focus and calm. It is hard to deny the benefits – whether you are a stay-at-home parent, a small business owner or a high-flying corporate type we can all benefit from being more mindful.
If you feel like making a start on your journey, take a look at the simple exercise. For more info, check out the Search Inside Yourself Institute and book (siyli.org) or connect with the ANZA Wandering Yogis for more practice options.
Mindfulness 101
This practice is designed to just run over a couple of minutes. Two minutes a day will still help to train your mind.
01.
Begin by getting into a comfortable seated position. Ensure you’re relaxed, but still alert. You can be on a chair or on the floor… just find a spot and body position that works for you.
02.
Now take three slow and deep breaths; in through your nose and out through your mouth. These are deliberate breaths while you bring your attention away from everything around you and onto your breathing.
03.
Continue to just breathe naturally. In and out… but take time to become conscious of your breathing. Can you find the space between the end of your ‘in’ breath and the start of your ‘out’? Just focus… if you find your mind wandering that is ok. Be aware and consciously bring your mind back to your breathing.
04.
Think of this exercise as a way to rest your mind. Breathe in and out… visualise somewhere peaceful and keep focusing on your breathing. Relax.
05.
When you are ready to end this practice, remain focused and say these affirmations in your mind. “(‘In’ breath) I am calm; (‘Out’ breath) I am happy.”
This month’s VOYA celebrates the ANZA members who give back to the community – like Toph Brown of the ANZA Scouts Group.
When did you first become involved with ANZA Scouts?
My son was one of the founding members of the second ANZA Scout Troop back in 2013 and I helped with some activities during the year. The following year the Troop was down to one leader. Grant Reid, an inspirational and dedicated guy, appealed for help and I saw it as a great chance to get involved.
What do you particularly love about working with the Scouts?
The feedback when working with youth is immediate; they are either enjoying it or not, and you know straight away. We’re lucky that the adult leadership group is highly collaborative, and it never feels like hard work.
Apart from obvious hands-on skills, what else do you think Scouts teaches the kids?
The best thing about the Scouting programme is that it encourages kids to develop independence and team work.
It’s a good environment to learn from both your successes and failures without being judged. The youngest Joey Scouts are only five-years-old so obviously need guidance and supervision, but by the time we get to Venturers (15-18 years) they are planning and leading the activities themselves. The adult leaders’ role by then is to mentor the kids and ensure a safe yet adventurous environment.
What are your plans for Scouts?
We have expanded the programme to cover ages 5-18 and in Joeys and Cubs we have parity between girls and boys. Having gender balance in ANZA Scouts and Venturers is the current goal. James Mansfield-Page and I would also like to establish a Rover Crew which continues the Scouting adventure to the 18-25 age group. It’s a great fit with the ANZA ethos of making friends and contributing to the community.
What are your dearest memories of Scouts as a kid?
It’s definitely not wearing shorts on freezing Melbourne nights! I have vivid memories of our Patrol entering a billy cart in a regional competition, and the wild ride down the hillside track. The billy carts had to have brakes and ours relied on a lever that dug into the earth. Simple but effective – and hair-raising when I actually used it.
How are your survival skills?
The Scouts‘ motto is very apt – ‘be prepared’. The biggest challenges if you’re lost are water and shelter, and if I go somewhere remote I make sure I have these two covered. When trekking, I also have a map and track our current location with GPS, just in case. Without going full Bear Grylls, some water purification tablets or a filter, and a good quality poncho should be enough to keep you safe until rescue comes.
Getting lost is never fun even for a short while, but I’d prefer it happened in the tropics than a harsher environment. I love jungle trekking and there is surprisingly little information around on it. We’ve been collating our own knowledge to make it more enjoyable and pass on learning.
What do you enjoy most about living in Singapore?
The people, the food and constantly finding new things to explore are the highlights. Singapore used to have a reputation for being sterile but that was always a superficial stereotype. I enjoy the subtle differences between neighbourhoods and the sheer amount
of cultural activity.
Where are your favourite places to get outside and enjoy here?
We are constantly exploring the outdoor destinations in Singapore, and regularly hike along the trails in the central catchment and Bukit Timah. If you go at night, you will see luminous fungus, fireflies and sometimes nocturnal animals. Please take care not to disturb the flora and fauna.
The ANZA Venturer Scouts love exploring old ruins such as the Marsiling Tunnels near the Causeway which are an incredible experience. This underground site was used during WWII to store aviation fuel and subsequently abandoned.
Tell us about a great little place.
If you’re interested in outdoor activities, then the Army Market on Beach Road is an essential destination. It’s on top of the Golden Mile Food Centre. The stalls have a wide range of adventure gear and the staff are always friendly. Afterwards, enjoy a meal at the hawker centre or cross the footbridge for Thai food at Gold Mile Complex.
Interested in joining ANZA Scouts? Click here for further info.
You’ve landed on new shores, or perhaps you’re ready for a new path on your career trek, and you’ve got plans to set-up in business. But have you really thought about what it takes to form a company in Singapore asks Charley Larcombe?
Photography by Rafael Dalmau
It took me forever to find a job. I rather arrogantly thought that down to international experience I’d find an Editor role not long after stepping off the plane. A week went by, then a month, then two… I was a total nightmare to live with because not only was I broke, bored and bitchy; I’m simply unsuited to not working. It reduces me to total laziness. You know that saying “if you want something doing, ask a busy person”? Yep, I had all the time in the world and I spent about half of it being productive by job searching and the other half fretting.
I also spent time looking into setting up my own freelance company. Researching ACRA and MOM and numerous other acronyms; talking to anyone I met who’d launched a business here; reading The Entrepreneur online every day… left me none the wiser. Especially as the information seemed to be so conflicting – and ever-changing. Nightmare.
Recently I met up with Katherine Chapman – you can catch her at one of the ANZA business events later this year. Her company, CSLB, essentially leads you through the jungle that is company set up here in Singapore. 45minutes with her and… well it’s still a jungle out there, but it is definitely possible to be the King.
As well as the numerous questions I had on business set ups, we did also discuss a couple of other options…
Stop. And think. Your wife/husband/ partner is offered an incredible opportunity and you get caught up in the excitement of new adventures and all of the travel that makes Singapore such a good base. You hand in your notice and think that you’ll look for work once you land and once you’ve settled the most pressing issues – where are we going to live? Will the kids have a school space? Where stocks that familiar brand of coffee? There’s lots of chat from the respective HRs assuring your significant other that there are plenty – and most importantly easy – options for you. Oh how reality differs…
So take a breath and first of all talk to your employer – you may be surprised that they’ll be willing for you to work remotely.
Of course, this is all well and good but we’re already here; you’ve probably already done the move. It’s always easy to look back and say, “If only I’d…” – but maybe there is still the opportunity back at your previous role to enquire. It’s worth a shot.
Set up at home “A Letter of Consent (LoC) will not be required when:
The Dependent’s Pass (DP) holder is working for an overseas company from home; and
The overseas company has no local presence; and
The DP holder is not meeting or providing services to clients in Singapore.
Therefore, you may still perform work for your overseas employer via telecommunicating from home if all the above requirements are met.”
So states the MOM. They don’t mind you working here… if you’re not really working here. If you’re working from home, on your offshore company and not meeting clients here in Singapore, you’re good to go. Being a boss. In your pyjamas. SOLD.
Alternatively, if you’re adamant about launching your business here, you really have two options.
Photography by Raf Dalmau
A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
WHAT IS IT?
It’s a business owned by one person or one company. There are no partners and the Sole Proprietor (SP) has complete influence in the running of the business. If you are either a Singapore citizen, a PR, a foreign individual deemed as a person living outside of Sing’ or a local company, then you are eligible.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
Get approval for the business name with ACRA.
Provide a description of the actual business – i.e. what will you be doing?
Register the business address. Homeowners can conduct small-scale businesses out of their residential property as long as they’re not employing ‘external employees’ and must have written go ahead to use their homes for home office use.
ADVANTAGES
It is the easiest and least expensive business structure to set up
Terminating a SP is easier, less time consuming and less expensive than other business entities.
You are free of the obligation of filing returns annually and only need to renew your membership either every year or three years.
Profits of the SP are treated as income of the individual who owns the entity and this is subjected to a tax rate as that of personal income (0-20%).
DISADVANTAGES
The registered owner is financially and legally responsible for all debts.
Creditors may sue for debts incurred and can obtain a court order to claim your personal assets.
Capital is limited to your personal finances and the profits generated by the company so business expansion is limited and difficult.
You can transfer the business only by the sale of assets, not the name.
To work for an SP, you cannot apply on an Employment Pass (EP).
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? A Dependent Pass (DP) holder can no longer set up as a SP – contrary to what you’ve heard or read in the past. The MOM still issues Letters of Consent for DPs to work for an SP owned by a Singaporean or PR etc. Ergo, if you have your Big Idea, you can go into business with a PR etc., but they own your business on paper – you take the risk of losing out. The owner can request a LoC from the MOM that will enable you to work FOR the business. Most of the time, the owner is a friend you are setting up with, but to avoid any nasty surprises, protect yourself and them by drawing up an employer/employee contract.
Photography by Raf Dalmau
A PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
WHAT IS IT?
It is a registered business under the Companies Act, Chapter 50 and is the favourable legal option. It has rights to own properties, has perpetual succession and can sue or be sued in its own name. It is locally incorporated with a maximum of 50 shareholders. Singaporeans or PRs are eligible.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
— Company
What are you called?!
Preferred registration date.
What you’re doing.
Registered company address
— Ownership Details
Share capital amount (in $) & no. of shares
Allocation of shares among shareholders
— Management Details
Confirmation of who will be the company Directors
Confirm that at least one is Singaporean or PR
ADVANTAGES
Shareholders are not personally liable for debts and losses.
Profits are taxed at corporate tax rates which benefit from tax exemptions and incentives.
There are no taxes on capital gains so this allows private business to distribute dividends to shareholders without incurring any tax liability.
Shareholders’ personal assets are protected
Company shares can be easily transferred from one member to another.
DISADVANTAGES
Directors must disclose their interest in the company’s shares, contracts and debentures.
Governed by Singapore Companies Act and violations will result in penalties. Annual Returns and Directors’ reports are required and must be filed, so the company must have at least one Director and one Company Secretary
Operation costs are higher
Must maintain on-going compliance with ACRA/IRAS.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
There is plenty left to cover with this option, but you’re still facing a similar issue if you’re here on a DP. Once the company is registered, directors appointed, share capital and shareholders shown, company address registered as well as a company secretary on the books, the PTE LTD then needs to set up a bank account – never the most straight forward situation. And only then can the company approach the MOM to request a LoC or an EP for you to again technically work FOR the company.
Essentially, it IS possible, but there are hurdles to overcome. This article gives you the basic overview and hopefully offers an insight into what may work best for you. If I was in your Big Idea shoes though I would still go and speak to someone like Katherine. As with any aspect of your business, you’ll want to be bouncing ideas off someone, gathering information or asking questions – and you may as well start from the set-up stage!
