What is a nominee shareholder?
2 main reasons why companies use nominee shareholders in IndonesiaInvestment law on nominee arrangements in IndonesiaNominee company in IndonesiaHow to use nominee shareholders in Indonesia the safe wayAlternatives to nominee companies in Indonesia Differences between a nominee company and a PT PMABringing it all togetherIn this article, we will […]
In this article, we will shed light on why foreign investors use nominee shareholders in Indonesia, what are the main risks of doing so and how to do it in a safe way.
What is a nominee shareholder?
A nominee shareholder is a person or a company that is the registered holder of shares of a company on behalf of the real owner. However, the ownership is simply ostensible and the nominee shareholder is essentially a name on the documents.
2 main reasons why companies use nominee shareholders in Indonesia
#1 Foreign ownership restriction in Indonesia (Negative Investment List)
The maximum allowed foreign ownership in Indonesia depends on the business classification of the company. It can be from 100% open to totally closed to foreign ownership.
The allowed foreign ownership is regulated by the (IMPORTANT) Negative Investment List (DNI). This means that in order to start a business in an industry that falls under the negative investment list, foreign investors need to have a local partner.
Due to these limitations, it is common practice that investors look for alternative solutions to start a company in Indonesia with the desired amount of control.
#2 Minimum capital requirement in Indonesia
The second reason why many investors choose to opt for nominee shareholders in Indonesia is the minimum capital requirement for foreign companies.
To start a foreign company in Indonesia, investors need to submit an investment plan for at least Rp. 10 billion (~US$ 750,000) to show the sustainability of their business. Rp. 2.5 billion (~US$ 190,000) of the investment plan, however, needs to be paid up immediately.
When all shareholders of the company are local nominees, on the other hand, the capital requirements are a lot lower.
Read our previous article to learn more about the minimum capital requirement in Indonesia.
Frequently asked questions on nominee company in Bali
Why do foreigners want to have a local company in Bali?
The required capital of a local company is way less than a foreign-owned company. The capital amount of a local company depends on its business scale. A small local company needs capital of no less than IDR 50 million. Yet, a foreign-owned company requires a minimum capital of IDR 10 billion. Furthermore, there are business classifications in Indonesia that are not open for foreign investments.
Are the taxes lower for a locally owned company compared to a foreign-owned company?
No, tax rates are the same for 100% Indonesian owned limited liability companies or foreign-owned companies. Find “Tax Reporting for Businesses in Bali” on VIVO ASIA ’s website or reach out to our consultants for insights on company tax.
Unsafe nominee arrangements
Not all uses of nominee shareholders are safe nor smart. In fact, using an unreliable nominee is one of the .7 common mistakes foreign investors make when setting up a company in Indonesia
Using an individual nominee shareholder, especially without a legal set of agreements, is risky mainly because it does not give you full control over your assets. Furthermore, it would essentially be based on blind trust. Most commonly such agreements are made with friends, family or co-workers hoping it will work out well.
However, this does not mean that all nominee arrangements are unsafe. The right kind of nominee agreements is a set of complex legal agreements that protect your assets and are drafted by professionals, provided by professional service companies such as VIVO ASIA.
Investment law on nominee arrangements in Indonesia
The Indonesian Investment Law does not recognize the concept of “trust” or “trustee” in the common law system. The owner of the shares who is stated in the Articles of Association (AKTA) of a limited liability company is both the beneficial and the legal owner. Hence, there is no distinction between them.
Additionally, the BKPM has issued the newest regulation No.13 of 2017, emphasizing in Article 12 (6,7) that investors are not allowed to make any agreements which state that they are not the owners and, if needed, to supply a notarial statement confirming such.
Therefore, nominee arrangements and games with business classifications are out. So what is the safe way of having nominee shareholders in Indonesia?
Nominee company in Indonesia
Nominee company service allows you to set up a company in Indonesia under the requirements established for local companies and also to have total control over the company’s assets and earnings through a set of legal agreements.
VIVO ASIA provides a nominee company package using corporate shareholders. It has many advantages, greatest of them are that:
it allows you to sign agreements that comply with Indonesian laws
these agreements hold up at court
minimizes risks compared to using individual nominees
The relations between the nominee shareholder and beneficiaries are commercially governed by a loan agreement where the nominee is purchasing the shares in the company by using a loan provided by the beneficiary.
Since the shares are purchased through a loan, they are pledged back to the beneficiaries for total control.
How to use nominee shareholders in Indonesia the safe way
This gives you peace of mind that you can run a business in a restricted sector without breaking any laws and also have a local partner you can trust and who is governed by the signed agreements.
Our nominee company service is billed annually and can be extended as long as needed by the investor.
Bringing it all together
For any additional questions regarding nominee companies in Indonesia or setting up a company in Indonesia, contact us via the form below. We will be happy to discuss how we can help your business in Indonesia.