And so, you have chosen a name for your business. What’s the next step? It really is not as complicated as everyone else has put it when I asked around for advice for my company setup. So I have summarised the hassle to three (3) simple steps – all of which can be completed within an hour. Yes, I got my business license in less than an hour. And here’s how to get yours.

1.) Decide Your Business Structure/Ownership
There are two types of business ownership: Sole Proprietor and Partnership (sendirian berhad). If you are registering your business under Sole Proprietor, all you need is a copy of your Identification Card to proceed with the registration process as Sole Proprietor means you are the one and only owner of the business. As for Partnership business registration, you will require a minimum of two directors (your business partner and you) and a secretary before you can register your business. You’ll need their details before you can proceed to registration.

2.) Fill in Borang A
When you enquire for business registration procedure at the information counter in any branches of Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM) – known as Companies Commission of Malaysia – you will be given a form known as Borang A. It’s a very simple three-page form which require you to fill in your business details. Normally there is a sample on the noticeboard in the branch to guide you on how to fill up the form accurately so that you won’t have any problem at the counter. The form is free for any applicants, so make sure you don’t get conned to pay for it.

3.) Pay For Your License
Together with your filled Borang A and photocopy of Identification Card from all those involved, all you have to do next is to submit the required documents at the counter and make the required payment.  If you are registering a Personal Name for your business, it would cost RM30 only. But if you are registering a Trade Name for your business, it would cost double at RM60. Depending on how many business partners you have, you will have to pay more per pax. After you have made payments, you will be told to wait for 45 minutes before your business license is ready to be collected. In my case, because there weren’t many people, I received mine is less than 20 minutes.

And you are done! These steps also apply if you are registering your business online via SSM E-Lodgement Services (which is more complicated than going to the SSM branches and having it done on the spot within an hour). I strongly recommend those who are interested to register their business to go straight to the SSM branches and register on the spot as you will get your printed business license on the very same day.

Next up: Starting a banking account for your business.

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Related posts:

1. Choosing/Registering a Name for Your Business (Malaysia)
2. Educate Your Client
3. Why Your Business Logo Is Important?