Ms. Ashley Yean has represented major French, German and Japanese automobile companies, as well as small- and medium-sized companies, in their dealings with Singapore Customs and also advises on indirect tax planning. In addition, she closely monitors ASEAN trade and customs issues, particularly developments on free trade agreements (“FTAs”) negotiated by ASEAN. She has assisted multinational corporations and government agencies to better understand the various ASEAN issues and ASEAN’s FTAs with Dialogue Partners. 

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• Assisted major French, German, and Japanese automobile companies in a variety of issues involving Singapore Customs.

• Advised an ASEAN pharmaceutical company on exporting to various ASEAN countries under the CEPT Scheme and the application of Certificate of Origin Form D.

• Former Customs Specialist with Singapore Customs involved in many areas of customs work, ranging from WTO Valuation, Financial Accounting to Freight & Shipping.

• Worked on targetting and profiling companies for Customs audit, as well as organized and participated in visits for Customs audit.

• Worked on risk management projects and made recommendations for risk areas identified at various departmental levels.

• Was a key team member for Singapore’s Voluntary Disclosure Program (“VDP”), studied and conducted public consultations for the program.

• Assisted a major European liquor company on investment matters (foreign investment restrictions, incentives, direct tax, double tax treaties, transfer pricing, Advance Pricing Agreement, etc.), customs (import procedures, import duties, excise tax, drawback, valuation, etc.), and other regulatory conditions (health and safety requirements, consumption/sale restrictions, advertising restrictions, etc.) in Singapore.

• Provided intelligence on the areas of investment, trade, customs and free trade agreements in ASEAN and certain ASEAN countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) specifically relevant to the automotive, tobacco, and electronics industries.

• “Trade Facilitation Policies in Singapore”, Commonwealth Secretariat Program for Customs and Trade Facilitation, Singapore, April 18, 2007.

Education

• B.S.S., Psychology (2nd Upper Class Honors), National University of Singapore.

Languages

• English, Mandarin, Japanese.