How to Get Shareholder Information of a Singapore Company? This Comprehensive Guide Tells You!

Wondering about the information of shareholders in Singaporean companies? This comprehensive guide has got you covered!

In the business world, understanding the background of a company's shareholders is an essential step in assessing its stability, transparency, and potential risks. For international investors planning to collaborate with Singaporean enterprises, mastering the shareholder information of local companies is particularly important. In recent years, with the rapid development of the global economy and the strengthening of regional economic integration trends, more and more businesses have set their sights on Southeast Asia, a vibrant region. As a financial hub in the region, Singapore naturally becomes the top choice for many companies.

The Importance of Publicly Available Information on Shareholders in Singaporean Companies

Singapore is renowned for its efficient business environment and strict legal framework, placing great emphasis on corporate compliance and transparency. According to the Singapore Companies Act, all registered companies must disclose their shareholder information publicly through the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority ACRA. These disclosures include not only the names or corporate titles of shareholders but also crucial data such as shareholding percentages. This high level of transparency helps maintain market order while providing necessary references for potential partners.

For instance, in a case in 2025, a multinational group discovered through querying the ACRA database that the actual controller of a certain Singaporean supplier was a core executive from a competing company. This discovery prompted the group to promptly adjust its cooperation strategy, avoiding potential conflicts of interest. This illustrates the irreplaceable role of obtaining accurate shareholder information in mitigating commercial risks.

How to Legally Obtain Shareholder Information of Singaporean Companies?

Obtaining shareholder information of Singaporean companies is not difficult, but it must be done following relevant laws and regulations and through proper channels. First, any individual or organization can access the public database, BizFile+, on the ACRA website, which offers free basic company data query services. By entering the unique entity number UEN of the target company, one can view multiple basic pieces of information, including the list of shareholders.

If more detailed shareholder information is needed, further document disclosure may be required. This typically applies to situations involving specific transactions or legal proceedings. In such cases, applicants must submit formal requests and provide reasons. It is worth noting that although some sensitive information may be restricted, the public can usually obtain sufficient information to make informed decisions in most cases.

Some professional commercial information service providers also offer value-added services, such as deeply exploring hidden networks and analyzing trends in equity structure changes. Although these services come at a higher cost, they are undoubtedly a powerful tool for investors who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the target companies.

Latest Developments Singapore Strengthening Shareholder Information Disclosure

In recent years, to address increasingly complex cross-border capital flows and money laundering activities, Singapore has continuously strengthened its requirements for managing shareholder information. Notably, in early 2025, ACRA announced further simplification of the data update process and increased penalties for violations. This means that both local enterprises and foreign investors will face higher regulatory standards when handling shareholder-related information in the future.

It is worth mentioning that this policy orientation also reflects the global effort to enhance corporate transparency. For example, the EU introduced new anti-money laundering directives AMLD6 at the end of last year, requiring member states to implement stricter mechanisms for verifying shareholder identities. Singapore follows suit, continuously improving its institutional construction by drawing on international experiences.

Conclusion

In summary, comprehensively understanding the information of shareholders in Singaporean companies is not complicated; it just requires making good use of existing resources and adhering to relevant regulations. However, attention should still be paid to details in practice, such as ensuring the authenticity and timeliness of the obtained information. For Chinese companies looking to enter the Singapore market, doing their homework in advance is undoubtedly the first step to success. After all, in the ever-changing business environment, having a clear vision allows one to seize opportunities.