A foreign company is an entity, whether it be a company, corporation, association, or any other legally formed body, that originates from outside of Singapore. If a foreign company wishes to operate in Singapore, it has two options: it can either establish a local company by incorporating it according to the Companies Act, or it can register as a foreign branch. For either option, the foreign company must have a registered name, appoint at least one local authorized representative, and maintain a registered office in Singapore.
The parent company may choose a Singapore representative office, which acts as a cost center without legal status and revenue generation, to explore opportunities in and around Singapore. Once the foreign company has satisfaction with the market research, it may choose to contemplate registering a subsidiary or branch office to conduct business activities.
Please contact Singapore Company Formation for the most thorough advice.