CORPORATE & FIDUCIARY

OCED-whitelisted Cyprus has more allure By Anas Almasri. No longer considered a tax haven, did Cyprus lose its long standing financial allure by joining the EU. Cyprus' unique geographical location situated between three continents has, throughout history, been the main drive behind its focus on benefiting from trade and economical relations between Europe, Asia and Africa. Up to the 1970s Cyprus was viewed as a trade stop between the coastal countries of those continents, leading it to be positioned as one of the world's major re-exporting hubs. Although it still holds that status today, the island has developed into a truly...

CORPORATE & FIDUCIARY OVERVIEW - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2014

Cyprus has a unique opportunity to attract Chinese investment despite the financial misfortune of its neighbors. The OECD crackdown on tax avoidance has divided the offshore world - on the one side are jurisdictions that have been able to achieve legitimacy in the eyes of the onshore world, on the other there are those who have not. The island of Cyprus puts itself firmly in the former camp. Although it was once considered a traditional tax haven, sweeping reforms in the run-up to EU accession brought Cyprus new respectability as an international business center. Black list. As a result the...

CORPORATE & FIDUCIARY OVERVIEW - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2014

The Principality of Monaco has time and again been accused of facilitating tax avoidance and wrongfully branded as an offshore tax haven. The country's laws, however, do not encourage unlawful evasive activities, and authorities are determent to change that inaccurate image. By Anas Almasri. Contrary to widespread belief that Monaco's main economic strength resides in it being a tax haven, the small city-state, home to some 36,000 residents, is not a shelter for tax evasion.International financial services, global commerce and tourism make up the country's major economic sectors. Its resorts and grand casinos as well as its pleasant climate are...

CORPORATE & FIDUCIARY OVERVIEW - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2014

Why should HNWI Chinese and Asian investors consider Malta as a potential jurisdiction when setting up a trust or foundation?  Since Malta’s accession to the EU in 2004, Malta has emerged as an attractive jurisdiction for the establishment of trusts and foundations for the holding of assets for investors and high-net-worth individuals (HNWI). Financial services in Malta are based upon the key concepts of certainty, security and confidentiality. Establishing a trust in Malta gives investors the peace of mind that comes with a highly regulated EU Member State that remains up to date with all legislative and regulatory changes enacted...

CORPORATE & FIDUCIARY JURISDICTION 2015

1. What is the single most important advantage your jurisdiction provides for Chinese clients? Malta is one of the most attractive holding locations for investment into China. A combination of the new favorable China-Malta Tax Treaty (effective as from 25th August 2011), Malta’s advantageous tax environment and Malta’s holding regime means that Malta is becoming the jurisdiction-of-choice from which to hold Chinese Subsidiaries. 2. What is the main reason a Chinese client would consider using a shelf company in your jurisdiction? Main reasons to consider using a Malta company include: tax efficiency, ease of administration and relatively low cost for an onshore...

CORPORATE & FIDUCIARY JURISDICTION 2015

Alan Camilleri, chairman of Malta Enterprises, discusses the use of Malta as an entry point for your business into Europe. Among the advantages that Malta provides as an offshore center is ease of access to the European market. Often goods transited through a Maltese company with some valueadded on the island are able to escape sizable import tariffs, or restrictions on the provision of services which would otherwise stop you from accessing this large and lucrative market.This extra stop-over for your product doesn't have to be a headache. With a knowledgable and talented Workforce, and scores of investment promotion incentives,...

CORPORATE & FIDUCIARY JURISDICTION 2014

A wealthy international family is looking for services in countries, where, apart from the political and economic stability of that country, the family is experiencing superior professionalism, where the family can protect their assets and do estate planning. Liechtenstein financial products that mean foundations, trusts and trading companies are interchangeable, at the first sight, with structures of other jurisdictions. What is not interchangeable is the 89-year-old experience of the financial center of Liechtenstein in the international trust and foundation law fields, which started to develop already in 1926. Substantial key elements of the financial center of Liechtenstein are the customs...

CORPORATE & FIDUCIARY JURISDICTION 2018

What are the key advantages of your jurisdiction in terms of privacy & asset protection for a Chinese HNWI or Family looking to succeed their assets to the next generation? A wealthy international family is looking for services in countries, where, apart from the political and economic stability of that country, the family is experiencing superior professionalism, where the family can protect their assets and do estate planning. Liechtenstein financial products that mean foundations, trusts and trading companies are interchangeable, at the first sight, with structures of other jurisdictions. What is not interchangeable is the 88-year-old experience of the financial...

CORPORATE & FIDUCIARY JURISDICTION 2015