Singapore – Page 4 – Duane Morris and Selvam

March 14, 2022April 13, 2022 by Duane Morris & Selvam

Singapore Implements Sanctions Against Russia

Ever since Russia’s act of aggression against Ukraine that began on 24 February 2022, the United States and several of its key allies have successively imposed significant sanctions against Russia. These sanctions range from prohibitions on trade and investment in certain regions of Ukraine and the designation of specific nationals that cannot interact with the market and financial system of United States, to imposing new sovereign debt restrictions and even cutting Russia further off from the global economy by removing them from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (aka SWIFT) messaging system and disconnecting them from the international financial system, making them no longer able to operate globally. On 8 March 2022, the Biden administration also announced that the United States would be banning the import of Russian oil.

Singapore has joined these efforts, with Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan issuing a Ministerial Statement in Parliament on 28 February 2022, stating that Singapore intends to impose its own sanctions against Russia. On 5 March 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a press statement with two factsheets that set out the details of the economic sanctions and restrictions.

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July 27, 2021August 3, 2021 by Duane Morris & Selvam

Negotiations have concluded for the “Pacific Alliance – Singapore Free Trade Agreement” (PASFTA).

On July 22, 2021, Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry, together with his counterparts from the members states of the Pacific Alliance – Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, announced the conclusion of negotiations of the Pacific Alliance – Singapore Free Trade Agreement (PASFTA).

Singapore will become the first Asian-Pacific associate state of the Pacific Alliance (“PA” or “Alliance”) once the pact is signed, which is expected to happen by the end of the year. This is an important milestone in the economic integration between the PA region and Asia-Pacific and is a crucial development for the necessary economic reactivation of the two regions.

The Ministers of Trade agreed that the PASFTA represents an interest in the economic integration of the regions and the improvement of the commercial relationship, attracting investments and expanding access to goods and services. In particular, The PASFTA will enhance trade and deepen cooperation in areas like the digital economy, energy sector, technology, urban solutions, customs, maritime services, and infrastructure.

Latin American and Singapore businesses should take note of this development and where possible, take advantage of the significant trade opportunities and economic growth that this trade agreement will generate.

The Pacific Alliance: main objectives and member Continue reading “Negotiations have concluded for the “Pacific Alliance – Singapore Free Trade Agreement” (PASFTA).”

February 3, 2021February 10, 2021 by Duane Morris & Selvam

新加坡科技准证（Tech Pass）正式启动

早于去年年末，新加坡经济发展局就曾宣布将于今年推出一种新型准证Tech Pass，旨在吸引全球顶尖科技人才前往新加坡，以促进新加坡科技态系统的发展，进一步巩固新加坡作为区域科技枢纽的领先地位。近期，新加坡经济发展局正式启动了Tech Pass，申请人已经可以在其官网上提交申请了。

哪些人可以申请科技准证？

申请人不必必须受雇于新加坡企业，其可以是新加坡企业的雇员，也可以直接在新加坡进行创业、做投资人、担任董事等。申请人只要满足以下三项条件中的两项就可以申请科技准证。当前持有工作准证（Employment Pass）、个人化就业准证（Personalized Employment Pass）等准证的人员，若在符合条件的情况下亦可以申请更换其准证为科技准证。

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January 28, 2021February 11, 2021 by Duane Morris & Selvam

新加坡可变动资本公司（VCC）特点与优势

自2020年1月新加坡金融管理局（简称“金管局”）与会计与企业管制局（简称“ACRA“）联合声明，正式推出可变动资本公司（VCC）框架以来截止10月份，已有近乎于160多家VCC如雨后春笋般涌现。金融管理局公布的《2019新加坡资产管理调查》报告显示，新加坡在2019年资产管理规模年比增长15.7%，达到2.9万亿美元。其中包括传统领域资产（如股票与债券）以及另类资产（私募股权，风险创投等）。新加坡一直以安全稳定的经济、较宽松的监管以及较低的公司税率等来保持其投资吸引力；新 VCC 框架将为投资基金在新加坡的注册和营运提供更大的灵活度。有望鼓励更多基金经理和投资基金产品以新加坡为据点，提升新加坡作为全球投资基金中心的地位。

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January 26, 2021February 11, 2021 by Duane Morris & Selvam

新加坡国会已通过付款服务（修正）法案防范洗黑钱与恐怖融资行为以及加强对数码支付代币供应商的管制

新加坡国会于2021年1月4号通过《付款服务（修正）法案》

修正案在2019年的法案基础上，在 “反洗黑钱与反恐怖融资”，“加强对数码支付代币供应商监管”等方面作出了改善。它不仅仅完善了新加坡的支付服务监管框架，与全球接轨。金管局也能够灵活地从多方面对应种种风险。

Continue reading “新加坡国会已通过付款服务（修正）法案防范洗黑钱与恐怖融资行为以及加强对数码支付代币供应商的管制”

June 12, 2020June 14, 2020 by Duane Morris & Selvam

COVID-19 Updates for Singapore Employers: Cost Reduction, Mandatory Notifications, and Government Support from the Fortitude Budget

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Following the end of the circuit breaker period on 1 June 2020, Singapore is implementing a gradual resumption of business. During this period, employers are likely to continue to have concerns over cost-saving and business continuity measures and the government support available to them.

Since our previous article, there have been a number of updates and advisories from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) providing additional guidance to employers during the circuit breaker period and beyond. Shortly before the end of the circuit breaker period, the Singapore government had also presented the Fortitude Budget on 26 May 2020, which includes, among other things, additional support for employers.

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April 22, 2020June 16, 2020 by Duane Morris & Selvam

Loan Obligations: Relief Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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On 31 March 2020, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced a package of targeted relief measures that was rolled out together with the Association of Banks in Singapore, the Life Insurance Association, the General Insurance Association and the Finance Houses Association of Singapore to provide temporary relief for individuals and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing liquidity problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this collapsing world economy, these measures could be a lifeline to stave off bankruptcy and winding-up actions.

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April 14, 2020April 14, 2020 by Duane Morris & Selvam

신종 코로나 바이러스 (COVID-19): 현재까지의 법적 영향 및 향후 전망

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2020년 3월 11일 세계보건기구 (WHO)는 신종 코로나바이러스(이하 “COVID-19“)의 발병을 세계적인 유행병으로 선언했습니다. 2020년 4월 14일 기준으로 세계적으로 186만 4,360명이 COVID-19 감염 확진 판정을 받았으며 사망자는 11만 8,246명입니다. COVID-19는 전 세계적으로 큰 영향을 끼쳤습니다. 각국은 국경을 폐쇄하고 지역 봉쇄를 통해 국민들의 움직임에 제재를 가하기 시작했습니다.

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April 11, 2020April 16, 2020 by Duane Morris & Selvam

Dealing with COVID-19 in the Construction Industry – An Update

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Note: This is an update to our 7 April 2020 Alert.

On 3 April 2020, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) released an advisory to inform contractors that to reduce the risk of further local transmission of COVID-19, all building work (except for essential works) are to cease from 7 April 2020 to 4 May 2020, known as the Circuit Breaker Period.

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