Tell us about yourself
I am Brent Yap, a Malaysian-qualified corporate and commercial lawyer currently based in Dubai as OF counsel with Nasser Yousuf Al Khamis Law Firm (www.nyk.ae). I also serve as international legal counsel to an established mainland Chinese law firm, Win Long Guangdong Law Firm (www.winlongguangdong.com).
Back home in Malaysia, I am the co-founder and partner of our law firm Messrs Viknesh & Yap (www.vikneshyap.com), a boutique law firm located in Kuala Lumpur offering legal services in litigation, real estate, commercial and corporate legal matters.
Our legal services therefore are well positioned to provide clients dual expertise in Asian and UAE legal landscapes.
I have been in active legal practice spanning two decades and have accumulated cross-border legal experience within Asia, Southeast Asia and the UAE. For the last 3 years, I assisted real estate developers, manufacturers, investors, SMEs, and family offices from Malaysia, China, and the wider Asia region to navigate the legal landscape in the UAE in popular zones such as JAFZA, Meydan Free Zone, Dubai Media City, and mainland UAE.
I am also the legal advisor to the Malaysian Business Council UAE, registered under the Dubai Chambers of Commerce which is tasked to promote bilateral business relations and opportunities between Malaysia-UAE. I also served as office bearer and legal advisor to several prominent Malaysian national trade and entrepreneurs’ associations..
Parallel to my legal work, I co-lead as Associate Director of Krystal Financial Consultants LLC (www.krystalfinancialconsultants.com) where we specialise in bespoke financial advisory services.
My strength lies in building relationships — connecting investors and business owners to the right legal, financial, and regulatory resources to ensure smooth market entry and long-term success.
With a background in law, how did you get started in finance?
My journey into finance was a natural progression from my legal career. As a corporate and commercial lawyer, I was constantly advising clients on commercial transactions, structuring investments, preparing the contracts and navigating regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions. Over time, I found myself becoming more involved in the financial aspects of deals—particularly in project financing, export credit arrangements, and cross-border investments. That’s when I realised I could bridge the gap between legal advisory and financial structuring, and create more value for clients. Today, I operate at the intersection of law and finance, helping clients secure funding for strategic projects—from infrastructure, aviation, and shipping to food security, waste management and renewable energy.
What is it that you currently do?
As mentioned, I am a Malaysian-qualified lawyer based in Dubai and engaged as a OF counsel with Nasser Yousuf Al Khamis Law Firm (www.nyk.ae), an established Emirati-Indian law firm. I also serve as international legal advisor to Win Long Guangdong Law Firm (www.winlongguangdong.com), one of China’s leading law firms, and I’m actively involved with the Malaysian Business Council UAE. Parallel to my legal work, I co-lead as Associate Director of Krystal Financial Consultants LLC (www.krystalfinancialconsultants.com) where we specialise in bespoke financial advisory services.
Where do you currently see the most demand for the services you offer?
Right now, there is strong demand across three key areas:
- Legal structuring for foreign investment into the UAE and broader MENA region, especially for Chinese and Southeast Asian enterprises. Likewise, I am promoting the Chinese and Southeast Asian enterprise and trading markets especially in Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore to clients from the UAE and Global South. We advise on pre entry market compliance, company structuring to providing post-incorporation services such as legal support and attached services ;
- Cross-border project financing, particularly in renewable energy, logistics, and real estate developments. Of late, we are looking to potentially bring in investments and project financing into Ras Al Kaimah; and
- Trade finance solutions for SMEs and government-linked entities navigating international transactions where we help clients to secure trade finance facilities such as letters of credit and standby letters of credit, mezzanine financing and factoring.
What is your mission?
My mission is to be a trusted bridge between capital and opportunity—helping businesses navigate both legal frameworks and financial requirements across jurisdictions. I believe in building strategic partnerships that outlast transactions. I hope to leave a legacy of cross-border collaboration, where businesses from Malaysia, the GCC, and China work seamlessly together to build meaningful, sustainable ventures.
What have been your biggest career successes?
Some of my proudest milestones include:
- Being entrusted as legal advisor by my Mainland Chinese partners to support Belt and Road-related investments into the GCC. At this moment, our Mainland law firm Win Long Guangdong Law Firm, is assisting a Chinese State Owned Enterprise to conduct due diligence on the UAE market to pitch an infrastructure project linked with a UAE GLC company.
- Advising on the financing of offshore support vessels (OSVs) involved in shipping projects, including vessel acquisitions linked to Petronas and Shell projects in Malaysia.
- Leading legal and commercial structuring for multi-jurisdictional ventures, including in Malaysia, Labuan, Hong Kong, and the UAE.
Each success is rooted in the trust of my clients and partners, and I consider that trust my greatest achievement.
What interesting projects are you currently involved in?
I’m currently:
- Co Founder of Viknesh & Yap, Advocates & Solicitors in Malaysia;
- OF counsel at Nasser Yousuf Al Khamis Law Firm in Dubai;
- International legal counsel to Win Long Guangdong Law Firm, China;
- Legal advisor to the Malaysian Business Council UAE, promoting bilateral trade and investment;
- Financing facilitator for large-scale projects, including halal poultry farm, solar farms, shipping fleet acquisitions, and real estate development in Asia and the Middle East;
- I am also involved in developing a martial arts sports-entertainment venture aimed at global streaming audiences.
What does your role at Malaysian Business Council UAE involve?
I serve as legal advisor to the Council, assisting Malaysian businesses and professionals with legal guidance as they expand into the UAE. I also facilitate commercial dialogues and cross-border investment partnerships, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and halal food exports.
Another venture you are involved in is Krystal Financial Consultants, tell us more about this.
Together with my business partner, I am the Associate Director at Krystal Financial Consultants LLC where we help clients to identify and obtain the relevant financing for their businesses including project financing, trade finance, corporate finance. (www.krystalfinancialconsultants.com).
Krystal Financial Consultants LLC is a Dubai-based boutique financial advisory firm. As Associate Director, I work closely with clients to identify the best financing routes—whether through export credit agencies, private equity, debt financing, or trade instruments. We specialise in project finance for infrastructure, construction, and renewable energy, as well as structured trade and logistics financing.
What services do you offer?
Through my legal and financial platforms, I offer among others:
- Legal advisory on corporate structuring, contract drafting, cross-border investments, and real estate;
- Project and trade financing solutions, including ECAs, LC/SBLC-backed deals, and private credit;
- Strategic deal facilitation between investors, sponsors, and institutional lenders;
- Cross-jurisdictional legal and regulatory compliance across the UAE, Malaysia, and China for SMEs, family offices, enterprises and investors regardless of origins.
- Special access and networking opportunities for my clients to the Chinese and Malaysian markets which I have cultivated in my years of experience.
In what industries do you operate?
I operate across multiple industries such as:
- Infrastructure & Real Estate
- Shipping & Maritime
- Renewable Energy Projects and Clean Energy
- Trade & Commodities
- Healthcare industry (hospitals, clinics)
- Food Security & Food Manufacturing
- Hospitality and Leisure infrastructure projects (such as hotels, and resorts)
How can a business start seeking funding and what are the best available options in your opinion?
We help clients to first evaluate their business model and cash flow. We find that most clients require some assistance to develop a clear financial model, with a good cash forecast and due diligence, and building a credible team. From there, we assist in identifying the most suitable funding—whether it’s equity from private investors, debt financing, trade finance tools like LCs and SBLCs, or export credit agency support. The best option always depends on the sector, project size, valuation, repayment capabilities, and timeline—but our role is to connect those dots efficiently.
With the surge in tech startups, what current trends are you seeing?
There’s a significant push for AI, fintech, and ESG-driven tech—especially in GCC–Asia corridors. Chinese and Malaysian tech startups are actively exploring the UAE as a launchpad into the Middle East. We’re also seeing growth in agritech, halal economy platforms, healthtech, tourism tech and green technology startups, all of which present unique financing and legal structuring needs.
What is next for you?
My focus for 2025 and 2026 is to further promote bilateral investments and financing between the GCC and China, particularly in green energy, digital transformation, infrastructure, and shipping. I also plan to scale up our advisory reach through strategic collaborations with trade associations, networking clubs, financial institutions, and investment councils.
Where can readers connect with you & learn more about the projects you are involved in?
I welcome partnerships, collaborations, and business inquiries. You can connect with me via:
🔹 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brentyap
Or reach me directly via email at :brent@krystalfinancialconsultants.com (finance)
brentyap@vikneshyap.com (legal enquiries)
