On September 17, 2025, Watson & Band hosted the signing and unveiling ceremony for its strategic partnership with the Indonesian law firm Kusnandar & Co. at our Shanghai headquarters. The event was attended by senior management from both firms and Watson & Band partners specializing in cross-border legal services, marking the official launch of this significant collaboration.

Leadership Perspective: A Milestone for International Strategy

The event commenced with remarks from Mr. Qian Junliang, Managing Partner and Firm Director of Watson & Band. He welcomed Mr. Arno D. Rizaldi Setiawan (Guo Anyuan), Managing Partner of Kusnandar & Co., and highlighted the partnership as a critical step of Watson & Band’s international expansion strategy. Mr. Qian noted that as Chinese enterprises increasingly look to Indonesia for growth, the demand for robust legal support has surged. He expressed confidence that this close collaboration with Kusnandar & Co. will provide clients with more efficient, secure legal counsel, facilitating sustainable commercial development in Indonesia and the broader Southeast Asian region.

Technical Exchange: Insights into the Indonesian Legal Landscape

Following the welcome address, Mr. Setiawan delivered a comprehensive briefing on Indonesia’s legal environment. He covered essential topics for foreign investors, including foreign direct investment (FDI) regimes, corporate compliance frameworks, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Mr. Setiawan also outlined Kusnandar & Co.’s history and core competencies, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the firm's on-the-ground capabilities.

Strategic Union: Launching a Platform for Integrated Legal Services

In the presence of the assembled leadership, representatives from both firms executed the strategic cooperation agreement and unveiled the partnership plaque. This ceremony marks the transition of our collaboration into a substantive operational phase. Moving forward, the firms will integrate their resources to build a seamless legal service platform, combining complementary strengths to serve our global clients.

A Powerful Alliance: Comprehensive Support for Indonesian Market Entry

Watson & Band: A Global Perspective
With a history spanning three decades, Watson & Band has evolved into a premier legal institution comprising over 500 professionals across more than ten domestic and international offices. The firm maintains a market-leading practice in cross-border investment, intellectual property, and commercial law, supported by an extensive network throughout Greater China.

Kusnandar & Co.: Deep Local Roots
Headquartered in Jakarta, Kusnandar & Co. (K&C) possesses over 45 years of experience in the Indonesian market. Recognized as a top-tier firm by Asian Legal Business (ALB) and acknowledged by the World Bank for its legal contributions, K&C excels in cross-border M&A, project finance, and dispute resolution. The firm is also ranked by The Legal 500 and serves on the ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN).

Integrated Service Capabilities
By synthesizing our respective geographic footprints and professional resources, this partnership offers Chinese enterprises a seamless, fully integrated legal service platform. Our combined expertise covers the full spectrum of market entry and operational needs, including:

• Market Entry Strategy: Investment access consultancy and corporate formation.

• Risk Management: Regulatory compliance and cross-border structuring.

• Asset Protection: Intellectual property protection and dispute resolution.

Strategic Vision

This alliance represents more than a business cooperation; it is a cornerstone of Watson & Band’s international strategy and underscores our commitment to emerging markets.

By mitigating the inherent risks of overseas expansion, we aim to enhance investment efficiency and security for our clients. Moving forward, both firms will deepen their integration to assist Chinese enterprises in establishing a robust, sustainable presence across Southeast Asia.