Indian firms opening in London, Vietnamese firms opening in Singapore? and now Singaporean firms opening in Australia…
Looks as though 2009 will be seen as the year it all started for law firms in our region who see themselves as international players.
The Star (Malaysia) reports
Zaid Ibrahim?s Zico to be first Asian law firm in Australia
KUALA LUMPUR: Zaid Ibrahim & Co (Zico), which has become the first Asian law firm to receive approval to practice in Australia, will be providing Finance and Syariah-compliant advisory services there.
Chairman and senior partner Datuk Dr Nik Norzrul Thani said the firm had decided to expand its operations to Australia due to the tremendous interest in the country for Islamic advisory services.
?We hope to strengthen our relationship with clients and connect potential investors and businesses from the Middle-Eastern region with Australia,? he said at the approvals handing-over ceremony here on Monday.
The approvals from the Legal Services Board of Victoria and the Law Society of New South Wales were handed to representatives of Zico by the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Penny Williams.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who also witnessed the event, said the firm?s expansion was consistent with the Government?s policy of promoting the growth and export of its services sector.
Zico began its international brand expansion in January 2003 with its Singapore office before going to Jakarta, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Dubai.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/14/nation/20091214203526&sec=nation
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This development has also been reported at? Bloomberg.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=arVxZYHJYSlk
