Singapore's Wong Partnership is to expand its reach to Indonesia and Myanmar, following in the footsteps of rivals such as Rajah & Tann and Allen & Gledhill.

As one of Singapore's 'big four' firms, the local outfit is keen to have a base on the ground in Myanmar, while it also considering a tie-up in Jakarta.

"The way we see growth – it's not just about Singapore, but about growth in the region," co-managing partner Wai King Ng told Legal Week.

"Looking at the deals we have done in the last five years it's clear to us that the work always revolves around Singapore but the clients are increasingly from outside.

"In Indonesia the best thing for us to do will be to collaborate with someone we can work with on the ground, but for a place like Myanmar there are more opportunities for us to set up our own shop.

"We see opportunities even without having an office in Myanmar. That said, based on discussions with clients, having people on the ground in Myanmar would be a plus for us."

In November last year the firm tied up with Malaysian boutique outfit Foong & Partners, which is a four-partner Kuala Lumpur-based firm specialising in high-end corporate and commercial work, capital markets and corporate finance.

Aside from Malaysia the firm currently has four international offices located in Shanghai, Beijing, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, in addition to its Japan and India practices.

"This is very much a Singapore business – this is our core. But we are going beyond that," said Ng.

"[The Malaysia venture] was important because a lot of our deals in Singapore have a Malaysian element."

Like the other top Singaporean firms, Wong's current strategy is to remain independent with a focus is on local and South East Asian work.

Last year the firm had the opportunity to tie-up with King & Wood Mallesons, but decided against a venture at the final hour.

Rajah & Tann has meanwhile taken the lead on geographical expansion, with a presence in nine countries.

Earlier this year it hired 14 lawyers in Bangkok from US outfit Hunton & Williams and in February tied-up with Vietnamese firm LCT Lawyers.

Last year it also partnered with NK Legal in Myanmar, R&T Sok & Heng in Cambodia, Assegaf Hamzah in Indonesia and Christopher & Lee Ong in Malaysia.

Allen & Gledhill has likewise stressed its intention to grow regionally.

In February it formed an associate firm in Myanmar, opening an office in commercial centre Yangon, which followed a similar step by the firm in Laos last year. It also has an association in Malaysia with Rahmat Lim & Partners.

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