Establishment of Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)’s Southeast Asia Hub in Singapore

Facilitated AHRI’s seamless RO setup

With Southeast Asia’s HVAC market expanding rapidly, AHRI sought to establish a regional presence to strengthen proximity to policymakers, partners, and consumers.

We supported AHRI in evaluating multiple ASEAN jurisdictions and identifying Singapore as the optimal base for its first regional office. Our advisory covered every stage—from regulatory assessment and structure alignment to operational setup—ensuring full compliance and smooth execution.

Through our guidance, AHRI successfully established a compliant representative office in Singapore, reinforcing its leadership in global standards, energy efficiency, and sustainable HVACR development across Southeast Asia.

Challenge

Establishing a regional base required AHRI to navigate multiple layers of complexity, each with potential for delays, additional costs, and credibility risks, unless effectively managed:

• Initial assessment: Reviewed AHRI’s organizational objectives and regional needs to define the most suitable establishment route.
• Regulatory advisory: Clarified Singapore’s legal framework for representative offices, ensuring AHRI’s structure met all compliance standards.
• Application management: Prepared and submitted the necessary filings and documentation, liaising directly with relevant authorities.
• Operational setup: Advised on governance, scope of permitted activities, and best practices for stakeholder engagement.

Solution

Dezan Shira & Associates provided structured support across legal, procedural, and operational areas, allowing AHRI to focus on its core mission of industry engagement:

• Regulatory compliance: Ensured the representative office adhered to Singapore’s laws and administrative requirements.
• Strategic alignment: Positioned AHRI within Singapore’s robust standards and conformance framework.
• Stakeholder expectations: Built credibility with local authorities, industry groups, and international partners.
• Operational clarity: Designed a representative office structure that reflected AHRI’s non-commercial mandate while enabling effective advocacy and member engagement.

Impact

With Dezan Shira & Associates’ support, AHRI inaugurated its Singapore Representative Office in September 2025. The launch was attended by senior government officials, business leaders, and industry representatives, signalling strong local recognition.

The new Singapore office enables AHRI to:

• Engage policymakers and industry partners across ASEAN.
• Advance sustainability and energy efficiency in HVACR systems.
• Promote harmonized standards and fair competition within the sector.

This milestone strengthens AHRI’s global advocacy role and supports regional climate and development goals.

Strategic significance and key takeaways

AHRI’s expansion into Singapore demonstrates how global industry associations can enhance their regional presence through compliant, strategically positioned structures. Singapore’s governance, transparency, and connectivity made it an ideal choice for a non-profit representative office focused on advocacy rather than trade.

• Strategic jurisdiction selection can significantly impact operational credibility and stakeholder engagement.
• Regulatory alignment early in the process ensures smooth approvals and sustainable operations.
• A localized base strengthens long-term influence in regional policy and standards development.