COMPANY REGISTRY – UNIQUE BUSINESS IDENTIFIER (UBI)

Implementation of Unique Business Identifier

Company Registry announces the implementation of Phase 2 of Unique Business Identifier (UBI) on 27 December 2023. The purpose of using UBI is helping government to enhance public service delivery and regulate entities more effectively.

What is UBI?

UBI enables governments and businesses to distinctly identify legal entities in various transactions and regulatory interactions. Also, UBI reduces possible errors caused by the use of different identifiers in identifying the same entity and in turn. Furthermore, UBI helps communication and exchange of data across government departments and businesses.

What is the process?

Company Registry launches the programme in 2 Phases:

1^st Phase

Effected from 1 November 2021 for Limited Partnership Fund

2^nd Phase

Starting from 27December 2023 and extended to cover Limited Companies and entities as follows:

• companies incorporated or registered under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622);
• open-ended fund companies incorporated or registered under Part IVA of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571);
• limited partnerships registered under the Limited Partnerships Ordinance (Chapter 37);
• registered trustees corporations incorporated under the Registered Trustees Incorporation Ordinance (Chapter 306); and
• other entities formed or registered under various Ordinances administered by the Registrar.

What are the Key Features of Phase 2 of UBI?

• The first 8-digit of the business Registration Number (BRN) will be your UBI
• For filing to Company Registry, you have to quote your BRN instead of the number of Company Incorporation.
• BRN become a key number for searching and identifying a company or entity.

How to get your NEW UBI Certificate?

• For limited companies and entities incorporated or registered before 27 December 2023, the Registry will issue a letter about the replacement of existing CR No. by BRN to each of these companies / entities at your registered address.
• After 27 December 2023, a new search function “Quick Search >CR No. / BRN Mapping” in ICRIS.

For further information, please contact us.

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