Enabling service-sector expansion with strategic insight
Asia has emerged as a growth hub for the global services industry, offering access to skilled talent, digital infrastructure, and a rapidly expanding consumer and B2B base. From professional and creative firms to cloud and back-office providers, service companies are increasingly targeting Asia for delivery, expansion, and investment. However, entering and operating across the region involves navigating sector-specific licensing, labor regulations, data protection rules, and cross-border structuring. As competition intensifies, service enterprises need clear guidance to localize operations while maintaining strategic and financial flexibility.
Building Smart, Scalable Service Operations: Our Advantage
Structuring service-sector entry across multiple markets
We guide firms through ownership rules, licensing frameworks, and regulatory structures that enable compliant regional expansion.
Optimizing tax, HR, and legal functions for growth
Our teams integrate back-office compliance, tax structuring, and workforce models to support service delivery across jurisdictions.
Strengthening core operations for sustained delivery
We optimize finance, HR, and compliance functions to support service execution and long-term cross-market performance.
How We Support Service-Sector Companies
Efficient back-end operations are vital for service firms delivering across borders. We help companies manage compliance while focusing on delivery.
- Regional payroll setup and cost modeling
- Bookkeeping, reporting, and accounting compliance
- Multi-country statutory filings and audit readiness
- Employment contracts and HR policy localization
- Entity maintenance and governance advisory
Service companies entering Asia must adapt to local regulatory, tax, and labor environments. We design tailored entry and delivery models.
- Market-entry feasibility and regulatory analysis
- Structuring for legal, consulting, creative, or fintech services
- Transfer pricing for intra-group service delivery
- Local partner and talent strategy advisory
- FDI restriction mapping and approval support
Cloud-driven service firms need infrastructure that complies with data, tax, and cybersecurity frameworks. We ensure local readiness.
- Cloud system rollout advisory for Asia-based operations
- SaaS platform localization and tax mapping
- Data privacy assessments and compliance plans (e.g., PDPA, PDPB)
- Support with cybersecurity readiness and reporting frameworks
- Coordination with local IT vendors for legal implementation
Service-sector companies often expand rapidly across borders and need compliant HR systems that scale with operational demands. We help manage employment risks, labor code alignment, and payroll accuracy across jurisdictions.
- Design and localization of HR policies and contracts
- Multi-country payroll setup and compensation structuring
- Advisory on benefits, allowances, and local compliance obligations
- Employment risk assessments and dispute prevention support
- Ongoing support for labor law changes, audits, and filings
Firms operating in multiple service lines or jurisdictions require clear oversight, internal control systems, and board accountability. We help build governance frameworks aligned with industry regulations and commercial realities.
- Advisory on board structuring and governance models
- Development of internal controls and operational policies
- Entity-level risk registers and compliance assessments
- Anti-corruption, ethics, and whistleblower policy setup
- Cross-border alignment of governance with tax and HR practices
Have Any Questions?
Reach out to our local experts
Case Studies and Insights
FAQs – Services
Service-sector regulations vary widely across Asia, from FDI restrictions in legal and consulting services to sector-specific licensing for fintech or marketing agencies. We provide structured support for entry, localization, and operational design to ensure compliance and strategic fit.
Our teams help firms assess feasibility, manage licensing, structure cross-border billing models, and establish the back-office functions needed to operate legally and efficiently across multiple jurisdictions.
FDI rules in services often differ from those in manufacturing or trade.
- India permits 100% FDI in most consulting services but restricts legal practice by foreign law firms
- Vietnam and Indonesia may require local partnerships in education, training, or legal services
- China maintains licensing barriers for professional and creative sectorsWe help map FDI restrictions across markets, recommend structuring options, and support filings with investment authorities and regulators.
Licensing varies depending on the service vertical—legal, accounting, HR, marketing, or fintech. Some require local partnerships, minimum capital, or certification from sectoral bodies.
We advise firms on:
- Licensing procedures and regulator interaction
- Qualification recognition and staffing requirements
- Business scope definition and contract approvals
- Structuring models that meet both legal and commercial needs
Asia’s data laws are evolving fast. Many countries require data localization, cross-border transfer protocols, and sector-specific retention rules.
We support:
- Privacy compliance audits for multi-jurisdiction delivery
- Risk mapping for cloud-hosted service platforms
- Drafting of consent frameworks and privacy policies
- Implementation planning to meet GDPR-equivalent laws (e.g., PDPA, PDPB)
- Advisory on cybersecurity readiness and breach response standards
Service companies often grow rapidly and need HR models that are both compliant and scalable. This includes proper labor contracts, payroll alignment, and benefits localization.
We help companies:
- Set up compliant payroll and employee cost forecasts
- Localize HR policies and templates
- Navigate regional hiring restrictions or quotas
- Manage employment contracts and dispute prevention
- Plan workforce models across distributed teams and service lines
Some countries offer tax holidays, deductions, or simplified VAT regimes for service exports, particularly in IT, consulting, and creative sectors.
Examples include:
- Philippines and Vietnam: Tax incentives for BPOs in economic zones
- India: Refund of input taxes under export of services rules
- Indonesia and Thailand: Reduced rates for qualifying digital exports
We assess your eligibility and structure your business to qualify while ensuring reporting compliance.
Service transactions between related entities (e.g., HQ and regional offices) must follow arm’s length pricing under local and OECD guidelines.
We help:
- Develop and document intercompany pricing policies
- Benchmark service rates and allocation keys
- Comply with local reporting and CbCR (Country-by-Country Reporting) requirements
- Mitigate audit risk and maintain defensible transfer pricing documentation
Our Clients
Discover our esteemed global clients across diverse sectors. We believe in providing our clients with exceptional service and a commitment to being their partner for growth in Asia.
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Contact Our Experts
We provide expert advisory and corporate services across Asia, guiding businesses through complex markets and regulations.