The Republic of Panama, or simply Panama, is a country in Central America, bordered by Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the southeast. Panama City is the country's largest city and capital and is home to two million people, which is approximately 50% of the population. Panama's official language is Spanish due to Spanish rule in this area until 1821.
Panama Canal revenue accounts for a significant portion of Panama's GDP, while industries such as banking, trade and tourism are important and growing sectors. Thanks to the canal, Panama has managed to create the largest international financial center in the Central American region, with assets worth more than three times Panama's GDP. Stability, along with a favorable business and economic climate, is considered the main strength of Panama's financial sector. Panama's banking system conforms to the Basel Principles of Effective Banking Supervision. Nevertheless, Panama has a worldwide reputation as a tax haven. The country has made significant progress in improving compliance with anti-money laundering recommendations, particularly since the publication of the Panama Papers in 2016. In February 2016, Panama was removed from the FATFGAFI gray list, but the IMF continues to see a need to strengthen the country's financial transparency and fiscal structure.
Bank account in Panama Panama is known for having one of the strictest banking secrecy laws in the world. While foreigners are welcome to open a bank account with Panamanian banks, they often require more documentation than European or North American banks. As such, opening a bank account in Panama can be a relatively lengthy process - unless you have someone to connect you with a bank's account manager, it can take two weeks or even two months to set up a bank account.
Different banks may require different information when opening a bank account, but you should be prepared to provide documents and other information as listed below (all documents must be in Spanish):
Copy of your passport photo, information page and page with a Panama entry stamp; Up to two bank reference letters; A letter of reference from a lawyer or accountant; Copy of another ID – national ID or driver’s license; bank statement for the last 3 months; proof of income; Evidence of your relationship with Panama (e.g. proof of ownership, utility bills, cedula, etc.); Completed forms with information about you and your family and your funding source. If you decide to withdraw more than $5,000, you may be asked to indicate how you intend to use those funds.
Procedure for opening a bank account in Panama In general, account opening procedures may differ slightly from bank to bank, but if you choose to work with a service provider that specializes in opening bank accounts for foreigners, the process might turn out to be quicker and easier for you. Companies offering such services usually have their partner banks and they are familiar with the procedures and legal requirements. The procedure for opening a bank account generally consists of five steps:
Submit an online application; Submit payment to the bank account opening service provider; Interview – Banks in Panama require an in-person interview before opening a bank account. The call will be coordinated by your service provider. All applications and required documents are submitted during the interview. Due diligence process (this takes about 20 to 30 business days); Setting up the bank account – after completing the account opening process, you will be provided with the bank account number, deposit and transfer history and contact information of your bank.
The development of telecommunications and economic globalization has made it possible for interested investors to form companies around the world. With proper research, financial investments, and legal backing, business ventures can safely be established in almost all of the world's countries. While it was once a complicated corporate endeavor to establish an international business, it is now commonplace with the help of experienced legal and economic advisers.
The advantages of forming a company in a foreign country are as numerous as they are obvious. Many countries offer specific location-based benefits, ranging from natural resources and established infrastructure to favorable laws and regulations that encourage growth in a specific industry. Likewise, it may be difficult to establish a venture or acquisition in one's home country because of disadvantageous situations: political or regulatory environments, lack of resources, and more. In this situation, it is useful to consider an overseas option that offers greater opportunities for growth, development, and success.
Company Registration in Turkey When establishing a company in Turkey, an interested investor must do due diligence with regard to legal processes, international regulations, and sufficient investment for success. It is critical to understand cultural, social, and political factors that will affect the establishment and growth of one's business; failure to do so could result in unintended consequences. Poorly-researched and tone-deaf international launches often end in disaster, as time, money, and energy is lost because of poor planning.
Legal documents Each country of the world presents its own set of intricate challenges with regard to forming, developing, and sustaining a business. Owners, financiers, and investors must enter into these engagements with the support of a knowledgeable and experienced legal team. Only someone with detailed knowledge of local and international corporate law will be able to set up an overseas business while avoiding the pitfalls that affect many new companies.
Additionally, shrewd businesspeople may consider opportunities to invest in overseas businesses without actually forming their own companies. In these situations, it still benefits the investor to team up with a knowledgeable adviser in global economics and litigation. International investments create a truly diverse portfolio that offers opportunities for growth that were unthinkable just decades ago.
Potential investors, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs should consider existing infrastructure in Turkey when planning the launch of a new business. While substantial infrastructure and systems can help to make the business establishment a smooth process, it could also represent market saturation and diminished potential for growth. On the other hand, a lack of infrastructure often serves as a major hindrance to growth; however, lack of infrastructure indicates a clear market opening for a creative and efficient new business.
Bank Account Opening in Turkey In conjunction with company formation, it will be necessary to open one or more bank accounts in Turkey. Confidus Solutions offers the ability to open a bank account in over twenty jurisdictions, making it easy for you to avoid challenging language barriers or bureaucratic hangups.
Virtual Office in Turkey With a registered address being a necessity for international business, Confidus Solutions enables overseas investors to set up a virtual office in Turkey. This address will allow international entrepreneurs to accept mail, arrange shipping, and set up a registered bank account in the country of their business.
Tax regulations If you are in the process of researching company formation in Turkey, contact a lawyer or consultant with extensive experience in the area which you are considering. This adviser will be able to assist you with everything from laws and tax structures to local support staff. You will need to consider every aspect from the local office to your highest organization structures; be sure to enlist the best mentors possible as you enter this exciting yet challenging process.
The minimum monthly wage in Spain is 1006 USD. With regard to consumer prices, the inflation rate in Spain is 1.8%. The currency of Spain is euro. There are several plural forms of the name 'euro'. These are euro, euros. The symbol used for this currency is €, and it is abbreviated as EUR. The euro is divided into cent; there are 100 in one euro. Each year, consumers spend around $810,339 million. The ratio of consumer spending to GDP in Spain is 0.06%, and the ratio of consumer spending to the world consumer market is 188%. The corporate tax in Spain is set at 25%. Personal income tax ranges from 20% to 49%, depending on your specific situation and income level. VAT in Spain is 21%. In 2013, Spain received 487.5 million USD in foreign aid.In 2014, the foreign aid amounted to 607.5 USD.
Gross Domestic Product The total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) assessed as Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in Spain is $1,572,112 billion. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) assessed as Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) per capita in Spain was last recorded at $33,883,585. PPP in Spain is considered to be very good when compared to other countries. Very good PPP indicates that citizens in this country find it easy to purchase local goods. Local goods can include food, shleter, clothing, health care, personal care, essential furnishings, transportation and communication, laundry, and various types of insurance. Countries with very good PPP are safe locations for investments. The total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Spain is 1,393,040 billion. Based on this statistic, Spain is considered to have a large economy. Countries with large economies support a wide variety of industries and businesses, providing ample opportunities for investment. Large economies support a substantial financial sector, making it easy to organize investments and financial transactions. It should be very easy to find good opportunities for investment in Spain. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in Spain was last recorded at $30,024,063. The average citizen in Spain has very high wealth. Countries with very high wealth per capita have an extended life expectancy and very high standard of living. Highly skilled workers can be found in many industries, and labor is very expensive in these countries. Countries with very high wealth offer opportunities for safe investments, as they are often supported by a diverse and thriving financial sector. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Spain averaged 1.3% in 2014. According to this percentage, Spain is currently experiencing modest growth. Countries that are experiencing modest growth offer safe opportunities for investment; their expanding economy indicates that businesses, jobs, and income will expand accordingly.
A serviced office space is an office that is provided for and is equipped by a facility management company. The services provided may vary amongst different providers, but generally include specialized office space (conference rooms, working space, etc.), utilities, IT infrastructure and various office equipment.
In general, serviced offices aim to provide all the necessary business facilities in a bundle and in a ready-to-use state, removing the need for preparations and setup procedures. Depending on the provider, a serviced office may be rented out on different conditions for payment and the use of equipment:
Facilities and equipment may be rented out together for a fixed payment that covers the majority of equipment and services or each article may be rented separately, making the price policy more flexible All the equipment may be rented out to a single business for exclusive use by the employees of the business or it may be used within a common space, shared by other companies renting out serviced office space in the same business center
Serviced office advantages Serviced office advantages are numerous and can be roughly divided into the following categories:
Convenience; Business presence Economic substance industrial glass-type office space Convenience
One of the most direct advantages of a serviced office space is its convenience. For a fixed payment a company is able to acquire a ready-to-use working space and often the equipment, which requires no special maintenance. This is an effective time-management measure, as no time for setting the office up is wasted. Besides that, it may significantly reduce maintenance costs for the business, as most of the time the price of renting a serviced office is lower than the price of buying all the equipment and setting one from scratch. It is also beneficial for companies with smaller budgets, which otherwise would not be able to afford both the space and the equipment.
Flexible renting schemes allow saving even more finances, as equipment may be rented irregularly or together with other companies, which in the long run makes its price-per-use lower, reducing maintenance costs. This also makes it feasible not worrying about possible emergencies, when a certain facility is urgently needed, but would not be immediately available without renting a serviced office.
To summarize, in general the convenience of a serviced office space comes from the fact that its maintenance is performed by a dedicated facility management company, reducing the costs and removing the need to follow the maintenance process.
Business presence Business presence is an important part of corporate branding, and a serviced office space can enhance its capabilities. Often such offices are located in prestigious business centers, which gives additional credibility to companies that are quartered there. Besides that, a serviced office is a simple and fast way to establish business presence in a new location. It allows for a more rapid market entry, which may become crucial if competition is intense. Although indirectly, this benefit may prove especially useful at the initial stage of business development.
Economic substance Above all, economic substance is often the most noticeable benefit of a serviced office space. Many jurisdictions (and almost all the major ones) require economic substance for tax benefit purposes, ensuring that no company registers in particular jurisdictions just to receive tax benefits, without any intent to do actual business and contribute to the economy. As this is a legal requirement, companies are obliged to comply it in order not to be over-taxed. Serviced offices are a perfect way to provide the economic substance, as many of them are located in prestigious business centers, neighboring many other businesses. This gives any company situated there enough credibility to apply for tax benefits and other incentives.
The development of telecommunications and economic globalization have made it possible for interested investors to set up companies all over the world. With proper research, financial investment and legal backing, business ventures can be safely incorporated in almost any country in the world. Building an international business used to be a complicated entrepreneurial venture, but today it is commonplace with the help of experienced legal and business advisors.
The advantages of founding a company abroad are as numerous as they are obvious. Many countries offer specific locational advantages, ranging from natural resources and well-established infrastructure to beneficial laws and regulations that encourage growth in a particular industry. Likewise, it can be difficult to start a business or an acquisition in your own country due to adverse situations: political or regulatory environment, lack of resources and more. In this situation, it makes sense to consider an overseas option that offers greater opportunities for growth, development, and success.
Company registration in Macedonia When starting a business in Macedonia, an interested investor must conduct due diligence regarding legal procedures, international regulations and sufficient investments for success. It is crucial to understand cultural, social and political factors that influence starting and growing one's business. Failure to do so may result in unintended consequences. Poorly researched and toneless international launches often end in disaster as time, money and energy is wasted due to poor planning.
Legal Documents Every country in the world presents its own intricate challenges when it comes to starting, developing and maintaining a business. Owners, financiers and investors must make these commitments with the support of a knowledgeable and experienced legal team. Only someone with in-depth knowledge of local and international corporate law will be able to set up an overseas business while avoiding the pitfalls that plague many new businesses.
Additionally, smart business people can consider ways to invest in foreign companies without actually starting their own businesses. In these situations, it is still beneficial for the investor to partner with a knowledgeable global economics and litigation advisor. International investments create a truly diverse portfolio that offers growth opportunities that were unthinkable decades ago.
Potential investors, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs should consider the existing infrastructure in Macedonia when planning to start a new business. While extensive infrastructure and systems can help make the process of starting a business a smooth one, it could also represent market saturation and reduced growth potential. On the other hand, a lack of infrastructure is often a major obstacle to growth; However, the lack of infrastructure points to a clear market opening for a creative and efficient new business.
Opening a bank account in Macedonia In connection with the establishment of a company, it is necessary to open one or more bank accounts in Macedonia. Confidus Solutions offers the ability to open a bank account in over twenty jurisdictions, making it easy for you to avoid challenging language barriers or bureaucratic hassles.
Virtual office in Macedonia Since a registered address is a necessity for international business, Confidus Solutions enables foreign investors to set up a virtual office in Macedonia. This address allows international entrepreneurs to accept mail, arrange for shipping and set up a registered bank account in their country of business.
Tax regulations If you are in the process of researching a business formation in Macedonia, consult a lawyer or consultant with extensive experience in the field you are considering. This advisor can help you with everything from laws and tax structures to local helpers. You need to consider every aspect from the local office to your highest organizational structure; Make sure you recruit the best possible mentors as you embark on this exciting but challenging process.
Cyprus offers a very useful intellectual property tax regime. The law provides some tax exemption for intellectual property income. More specifically, 80% of the worldwide intellectual property royalty income of a Cyprus tax resident company (net of direct expenses) is exempt from income tax. In addition, 80% of the gains from the sale of intellectual property by Cyprus resident companies (net of direct expenses) are also exempt from income tax and all expenses of a capital character for the acquisition or development of intellectual property are tax deductible in the year in which it arose and for the following four consecutive years.
Companies registered in Cyprus, if managed and controlled from Cyprus, receive a tax clearance certificate. In order for the company to retain its management and control in Cyprus, the majority of the company's board of directors must be resident in Cyprus, the company's secretary and registered office must be located in Cyprus, the board of directors must hold its meetings in Cyprus and, should the shareholders of the Company hold some of their meetings in Cyprus whenever possible. The tax authorities have also increased their requirements and are now examining the granting of powers of attorney by companies. If a general power of attorney is issued by the company allowing someone who is not a tax resident of Cyprus to act on their behalf, this may result in the company not being tax resident.
The AML policy is a basis for procedures and controls implemented by the Legal Compliance Department (LCD). AML procedures apply not only to banking and financial institutions that conduct direct remittances, but also to advisors that provide services that are well-informed about clients' activities. The European Commission has developed general guidelines with the list of transactions showing factors that explain how suspicious transactions can be identified. There is no threshold above which a transaction can be identified as suspicious. The situation must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. Each factor, considered individually, may seem seamless, but when considered together, it can raise suspicions that the transaction is money laundering related. Among other things, the compliance department needs to know the customer about the nature of the transaction, the usual transfer numbers, the financial history and the background. When transactions do not appear to be in line with normal business practice, this may be a relevant factor in determining that the transaction appears suspicious. For this reason, banks have recently drawn attention to newly introduced customers and given them intensive support.
AML strategies Examples of generally accepted indicators are: The customer transfers large amounts without payment details or receives large amounts without payment details. The customer presents confusing details about the transaction or knows very little about the purpose. The customer requests an express transfer and insists on making the transfer quickly, or he/she conducts transactions in different physical locations to avoid detection. The customer arbitrarily informs about large volume transactions, using unconventional accounting methods or confidential books. The customer does not respond to the invitation to a face-to-face meeting; normal attempts to background check a new or potential client are difficult. The client uses the PO box service instead of a real office or he/she seems to have recently established a number of new relationships with different financial institutions etc.
The applicable methodology may vary by organization, although the basic principles should be the same, e.g. B. Large cash transaction reporting, records, background checks, case management tracking system; Incident reporting database, company “hot file”, etc.
Sometimes companies face certain difficulties in the start-up phase. For example, to fill in the customer's questionnaire, who cannot show it to any business partner, since the company is new and no agreements have been made yet. Therefore, it is possible to update the customer questionnaire later to keep the bank informed of planned activities. At the time of opening an account, the bank must verify the source of income and the origin of funds.
If the bank determines that the transaction is suspicious or that the customer himself is suspicious, this must be reported to the competent authority.
A limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as LLC) is a commercial company with legal personality status. Typically, an LLC's equity consists of the total face value of its shares. One of the key features and benefits of an LLC is the fact that shareholders cannot be held personally responsible for the company's debts or liabilities - only the company's assets themselves are at risk. However, the issue of limited liability also depends on the national legislation of each jurisdiction. In general, an LLC is a corporate structure that combines the simplified taxation of a partnership with the principle of limited liability of a corporation. It can be the perfect solution for an international trading company, provided the jurisdiction is well chosen. A key difference between a public company and an LLC is that the latter is always a closed corporation and its shares are not publicly traded. Another internationally used name for an LLC is a private liability company, or simply "Ltd". This term is widely used in the UK and some other common law countries.
Functions of a limited liability company There are no special circumstances in which you would be required to incorporate a limited liability company. An LLC is a type of legal entity that successfully blends the majority of the most desirable characteristics of other business types, which explains why most entrepreneurs choose an LLC when starting a business. Additionally, many offshore jurisdictions have simplified accounting and record-keeping requirements for LLCs.
Normally we would advise our clients to consider an LLC as a viable option if they wish to form a commercial corporation or small business within certain limits. LLCs are perfect for those looking for a way to run a business (locally or internationally) and distribute profits at minimal cost. However, you should always keep in mind that an LLC does not typically provide an effective mechanism to introduce a partner with limited voting power or numerous investors to your company. In these cases, we recommend that you consider a limited partnership or a public company, as they may offer more effective ways to achieve your goals. Forming an offshore company in a tax haven can be a great way to reduce maintenance costs.
Pros and cons of a limited liability company As with any other legal entity, the LLC has its own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the circumstances and your chosen jurisdiction, there may be other specifics besides those listed below. For this reason, we recommend that you consult our lawyers before starting the incorporation process.
The main advantages of an LLC are:
Limited liability of partners to creditors Lower minimum capital than for a public company Flexible structure: It can be operated with one or more shareholders minimum board and director requirements; no supervisory authority Flexibility in taxation Relatively quick and easy onboarding process Easy accounting and paperwork Usually one person can be shareholder, director and employee (if required) The main disadvantages are:
Limited third party investment opportunities The company cannot publicly issue shares
Bank account management tools Whether you have a private bank account or a corporate bank account for your business needs, it is essential to have convenient access to your funds and constant control over your account. However, sometimes you may be too busy to monitor your bank account, or you may be travelling, making your funds inaccessible when you need to make an urgent transfer... Fear not, for there are a number of different account management tools available that allow you to choose and create the most efficient and convenient account management model, no matter where you are.
The three most common types of tools used to access and manage your bank account are:
Online banking Using a personal banker Authorising someone to manage your bank account for you