ABOUT US

Regional Practice

Uniquely connected to Malaysia, the Middle East and India

Cross Border transactions are not unusual in today’s business world. But having the right team of expert advisors is something not to be taken lightly.

Our established network, knowledge and track record sets us apart.

Based in Singapore, the financial hub of Southeast Asia, we are uniquely positioned due to our unrivalled strength and knowledge, not just in Malaysia but also in two of the fastest growing economies in the world: the Middle East and India.

In a relatively short span of time, we have become actively engaged with major corporations and financial institutions in the Middle East, India and Malaysia. Our rich portfolio of landmark deals include bringing companies from these jurisdictions across borders and Singaporean companies into these regions, facilitating global trade and business links.

Our active desks in these regions are helmed by individuals who possess both the legal and cultural knowledge to facilitate expanding business links between Singapore and these jurisdictions.

With our extensive high-level contact base and our ability to offer specialist business and strategic solutions that are second to none, we have facilitated landmark transactions for Singapore clients overseas and vice versa.

This is the key to the Global Law Alliance LLC’s difference.
 

Regional Practice – Middle East Desk

The UAE currently has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In 2007, the UAE registered a Real GDP growth of 7.5% amounting to US$164.4 billion, compared with US$129.4 billion in 2006. Despite the global economic downturn, UAE’s GDP growth remains stable in 2008 at 7.7%.

Global Law Alliance LLC’s Middle East practice leverages our excellent, established high-level contacts within the Middle East. We are well-placed to liaise with Ministries and Government Agencies. We work with the various agencies of the Middle East government to obtain relevant approvals and clearances. We advise on tax and other fiscal matters including the repatriation of capital and profits, employment matters, and generally on all areas which involve the setting up and conducting of business in the Middle East.

Given the strong business links and increasing interactivity between the Indian subcontinent and Middle East, Global Law Alliance LLC has based in Dubai Ashish Mehta, a senior corporate lawyer licensed to practice in India and Dubai.

Our law corporation has also represented Singapore consortiums in their acquisitions in the Middle East and is increasingly acting for Arab corporations in their acquisitions and joint ventures in Singapore in a wide range of sectors. Our Middle East clients are based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sharjah and Oman.

We have acted for DBS Bank in its foray into the Dubai International Financial Centre and for First Gulf Bank, Abu Dhabi in their establishment and procurement of their banking license in Singapore.
 

Regional Practice – India Desk

The second most populous country in the world, India is also among the fastest growing economies in the world with a GDP growth rate of 6.6% in 2008 and is the third largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power. Despite the global economic downturn, India’s economy remains robust.

With the economic growth come great opportunities for global businesses that are equipped with partners possessing the right blend of local cultural and regulatory knowledge. Global Law Alliance LLC, with our more than decade-long connection with Indian businesses and regulatory bodies, is such a partner.

Our India Practice is vibrant and actively engaged due to extensive client network extending from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, to Kolkata.

Through our Foreign Legal Advisors licensed to advice on Indian law and our strong and established connections with law firms in India, the government and government agencies, including the Foreign Investment Promotion Board and the Reserve Bank of India, Global Law Alliance LLC is able to advise on India law and on the setting up of companies, conducting of business, obtaining approvals and licenses, tax and other fiscal matters including repatriation of capital and profits, and employment issues.
 

Regional Practice – Malaysia Desk

Since it became independent, Malaysia’s economic record has been one of Asia’s best. Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by an average of 6.5% per year from 1957 to 2005. Performance peaked in the early 1980s through the mid-1990s, as the economy experienced sustained rapid growth averaging almost 8% annually. High levels of foreign and domestic investment played a significant role as the economy diversified and modernized. In 2007, Malaysia achieved a GDP growth of 6.3%, amountig to about of US$367.8 billion, compared to 5.8% growth in 2006. In 2008, its GDP dipped slightly to 5.1% due to the global economic downturn.

Since 2003, the Malaysian Government has been ramping up efforts to attract and boost foreign investments into the country. Special economic zones, such as the Iskandar Development Region (IDR), the Northern Corridor Economic Region and the East Coast Economic Region etc were the result of these efforts.

Bilateral trade and investment between Malaysia and Singapore has always been strong due to the historical and cultural ties between the two nations. With Singapore’s strong currency, coupled with Malaysia’s lower costs of land and labour, inbound investment from the city state has traditionally increased over the years, with the island nation ranking among the top investing countries into Malaysia.

Reflecting the close bilateral economic ties between the countries, Global Law Alliance LLC has also a prestigious associated practice in Malaysia. Its Malaysian operations are run along the same lines and same standards as our Singapore practice. The Malaysian associated practice counts several MNC’s, PLC’s and GLC’s as its clients.

Our Senior Directors, Peter Lee Siew Choong, a veteran corporate lawyer and Liew Teck Huat, a senior litigation lawyer, are both based in Malaysia.