Singapore Launches Anchor Professional Services Centre to Help Businesses Expand Across Asia

Singapore, 21 July 2026 – A Singapore company looking to expand into Vietnam may need a lawyer, accountant, tax adviser, HR consultant and local business connections. Today, businesses often have to find these services one by one, in each market they enter.

A new regional network aims to change that.

The Professional Services (PS) Centre Singapore, officially launched today by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development, is the latest addition to a growing network of Professional Services Centres that connects businesses with trusted professional expertise across Asia.

Located at Level 2 of ISCA House, the Singapore PS Centre will serve as the anchor hub of the regional network, linking businesses to PS Centres in Hongqiao (Shanghai), Ho Chi Minh City and Nanjing, with Jakarta expected to join later this year. Future centres are also planned in Bangkok, Johor Bahru and Shenzhen.

Rather than building another office, the PS Centre is building something different, a trusted regional network where businesses can access local knowledge, professional expertise and business connections through one coordinated platform.

The initiative is led by the PS Centre Alliance, comprising the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises, Institute of Valuers & Appraisers, Singapore Business Federation, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Tax Academy of Singapore, The Law Society of Singapore and the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA).

Helping businesses solve real problems

As businesses expand across borders, the challenges they face have become more complex. They are no longer limited to setting up an office or understanding local regulations. Companies today are responding to geopolitical shifts, changing trade policies, supply chain realignment, AI disruption, cyber risks and growing sustainability expectations, while trying to build trusted relationships in unfamiliar markets. No single profession can solve these challenges alone.

The PS Centre brings together professionals from different disciplines, including legal, accounting, tax, corporate secretarial, HR, valuation, sustainability and business consulting, so businesses can access coordinated support instead of approaching each profession separately.

Beyond professional advice, businesses can tap on local business associations, government agencies, chambers of commerce and ecosystem partners connected through the PS Centre network.

More than a networking platform

The Singapore PS Centre will also introduce the Business Growth Clinic, a new initiative where business owners can bring real business challenges to a multidisciplinary panel of professionals.

Whether the challenge is expanding overseas, adopting AI, raising capital, restructuring a business or planning succession, businesses will receive practical guidance and be connected with the right professionals to help move their plans forward.

Early results from the network

Although the network is still in its early stages, businesses are already seeing results. Through the Shanghai PS Centre, Singapore based accounting firm Unity Assurance secured new business opportunities in China and subsequently established a joint venture with a local partner.

The Nanjing PS Centre supported firms such as Morningstar and Fiducia LLP with local business introductions, office setup and talent connections as they expanded into China. In Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh City PS Centre has supported Singapore businesses such as Koda Ltd and JDI Ventures in navigating different aspects of regional expansion, such as guidance on pressing cross-border matters and local business introductions to support market entry. The Centre has also connected Vietnamese technology companies such as Techvify and Vinova with relevant networks and market insights to support their entry into Singapore.

These examples demonstrate how trusted local networks can shorten the time needed for businesses to enter new markets while reducing uncertainty.

Strengthening Singapore's position as a trusted business hub

The Singapore PS Centre complements Singapore's position as a global business and financial hub by extending trusted professional services into key markets across Asia.

As more centres are established, businesses will be able to tap on one connected network instead of building relationships from scratch in every country.

For Singapore professional services firms, it also creates new opportunities to support clients expanding overseas and to build partnerships with firms across the region.

Mr Lee Boon Teck, President, ISCA, said: "Business is becoming increasingly regional, but professional services are still largely organised country by country. Companies expanding overseas often spend months trying to identify trusted advisers and build local networks. The PS Centre network changes that. We are bringing together trusted professional firms, business associations and local partners across Asia, making it easier for businesses to expand with confidence. Our vision is simple. Wherever a business chooses to grow in Asia, there should be a Professional Services Centre ready to support that journey."

Ms Junie Fo, Vice President & Head, Professional Services, Singapore Economic Development Board, said “Professional services firms play a critical role in helping Singapore-based enterprises navigate the rapidly evolving global business environment. The Singapore PS Centre will provide access to different professional services to support enterprises’ regional growth needs. EDB looks forward to working with members of the PS Centre Alliance to advance the Professional Services ecosystem.”

About the Professional Services Centre

The Professional Services Centre is a collaborative initiative by the PS Centre Alliance to support businesses expanding across borders through trusted professional expertise, local business networks and market access. The network currently spans Singapore, Hongqiao (Shanghai), Ho Chi Minh City and Nanjing, with further expansion planned across Asia and the Middle East.

For quotes from PS Centre Alliance partners, please refer to the attached Annex.

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For more information, please contact:

Chee Mun Yi

Communications Executive

Tel: 8688 8762

Email: munyi.chee@isca.org.sg

About the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore. Established in 1963, ISCA administers the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification programme and is the designated entity by the Singapore Ministry of Finance to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore [CA (Singapore)] designation.

ISCA supports over 46,000 members across industries in Singapore and globally, with members in more than 40 countries. With a growing international presence, ISCA has 12 overseas chapters, 7 offices across 10 countries and a network of over 150 strategic partners, strengthening professional connections and opportunities across borders. ISCA is also a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global network representing more than 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students across over 190 countries.

ISCA advances professional development and lifelong learning through ISCA Academy, its training arm and drives community impact through ISCA Cares, its charity arm.

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.

ANNEX

Mr Ang Yuit, President, Association of Small & Medium Enterprises, said: “As champions of Singaporean small and medium enterprises, we recognise the hidden challenges that come with growing your business and building connections to help you build and expand overseas. With the launch of the Professional Services Centre in Singapore, we are pleased to see such robust support for businesses through trusted resources and networks and we hope to aid more small and medium enterprises in growing their business.”

Mr Lie Kok Keong, Chairman, Institute of Valuers & Appraisers, said: "IVAS is delighted to be a part of the Professional Services Centre alliance. Business valuation is a strategic tool for value creation that underpins sound business strategy, investment decisions, and cross-border transactions. Through the Professional Services Centre's activities and events, IVAS aims to build valuation competencies as part of the professional development journey for finance professionals amongst businesses."

Mr Lenny Lim, Vice Chairman, Southeast Asia Business Group at Singapore Business Federation, said: “Within the business ecosystem, we believe that deep collaboration across value chains and amongst diverse stakeholders is an essential component that has many beneficial outcomes for all parties involved. We see strong alignment to the objectives of our GlobalConnect@SBF program, and welcome the launch of this Professional Services Centre in Singapore as an additional way for local businesses to gain access to trusted resources and extensive connections that they can leverage for growth and development.”

Mr Tan Tong Hai, Council Member, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said: “Many of our members are businesses who have expanded overseas or have plans for cross-border expansion. The launch of the Professional Services Centre in Singapore will help to provide accessible and trustworthy support for businesses and enterprises to navigate and successfully expand operations both locally and overseas.

Mr Tan Chor Meng, Council Member of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Singapore Manufacturing Federation, said: “Professional services firms are essential partners in helping businesses make informed decisions, strengthen their capabilities and expand with confidence. SMF welcomes and supports the launch of the Professional Services Centre in Singapore. We look forward to contributing our manufacturing expertise, industry networks and practical insights to support both local and international businesses in pursuing growth and opportunities across markets.”

Mr Dennis Lui, Chief Executive Officer, Tax Academy of Singapore, said: “As businesses increasingly look towards cross-border expansion, access to timely and relevant global tax developments has never been more critical. With the launch of the Professional Services Centre in Singapore, we are proud to support businesses through policy-relevant and practice-oriented training and research. At Tax Academy of Singapore, we offer a comprehensive suite of programmes, from foundational courses to specialised seminars, masterclasses and conferences, equipping practitioners with the knowledge and practical insights to navigate an ever-evolving global tax landscape.”

Professor Tan Cheng Han, S.C., President, The Law Society of Singapore, said: “With more businesses expanding across borders and industries, the ability to navigate legal and regulatory complexities will become a critical skill for both businesses and firms. The establishment of the Professional Services Centre in Singapore serves to provide valuable and trusted support for enterprises to access trusted legal expertise along with other professional services.”