Singapore is strategically located in the heart of South East Asia and is recognized as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with GDP growth expected to be 15% for 2010. The positive image of Singapore makes the set up of a company in the country an an excellent corporate vehicle to promote to customers, suppliers, investors, venture capitalists, governments and banks. Here are the top 5 benefits of Singapore company registration:

1. Social and political environment: A Singapore company is not perceived as an offshore company in a tax haven. This is because Singapore maintains its image as a reputable, highly regulated, business jurisdiction. Singapore is ranked equally with Denmark and New Zealand as the least corrupt country in the 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. This is the reassurance needed by companies which are deciding on ideal location for their regional or global headquarters. By registering a company in Singapore, you are given access to a highly competitive economy. It is consistently ranked as the world's second-freest economy in the Heritage Organisation's Index of Economic Freedom. The process for Singapore company registration is straightforward and cost-effective. The World Bank's Doing Business 2010 Survey lists Singapore is the world's easiest place to do business.

2. Taxes: Compared to other leading business centers around the world, Singapore tax rates are very competitive. The corporate income tax rate for Singapore is 17%. The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore outlines legal tax exemption on profits earned outside Singapore to be enjoyed by Singapore companies. Moreover, S$200,000 (approximately US$153,000) of corporate profits earned in Singapore can be legally tax-exempt for the first three years of business operations as long as total profits exceed $300,000. A Singapore company enjoys access to comprehensive double taxation treaties with 62 countries including major trading jurisdictions. To highlight Singapore's tax advantages, the city state has been voted as having the least burdensome taxes in the world.

3. Infrastructures, technology and telecommunication: Singapore is one of the most modern cities in Asia, and the world. It boasts of being well equipped in terms of telecommunications, public transportation, and technology. Singapore offers the highest standards of living in Asia according to the 2010 Quality of Living Survey by Mercer Human Resources.

4. Laws and government: Singapore is an excellent location when it comes to registering intellectual property (IP), including global trade marks and patents. Singapore is proud to be a signatory to international conventions including the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which helps protect against IP rights infringements. Also, the country is a signatory signatory to the Berne Convention and the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty. When it comes to confidentiality laws and meeting international guidelines, Singapore boasts strong client confidentiality laws and meets the international guidelines set by the OECD for disclosure of taxation related information. Singapore Singapore is the fifth-largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Asia according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAC).

5. Company registration requirements: Unlike some jurisdiction, it is not necessary to rent a physical office to register a company in Singapore. Singapore Company formation only requires a minimum of one shareholder, one director, one local company secretary, a local address and a share capital of $1.

Singapore has much to offer, not just within the Asia region but as an international business hub. Investors and entrepreneurs that want to set up a company in a country offering low taxes, stable economy and political environment, good quality of life will enjoy Singapore as the place for their business and corporate needs.