Special License Company

What is an offshore financial centre?

There are offshore jurisdictions which not only provide incorporation of the offshore companies, these jurisdictions have a robust financial system to provide financial services. These jurisdictions include Belize, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Mauritius, Seychelles and etc. Those who are the supporters of offshore financial centre suggest that a well regulated offshore financial centres play a legitimate and integral role in international finance. Their zero-tax structure allows financial planning and the flexible risk management approach allows more innovative ways to establish financial companies. There are opposing views that see them as draining tax revenues away from developed countries by coming out with a lot of creative ideas to allow individuals and corporates to evade tax legally.

Why choose an offshore financial centre compared to an onshore financial centre?

There are many benefits if you decide to incorporate an offshore financial company. One of the benefits is a low burden of regulation. A large number of hedge funds (which characteristically employ high-risk investment strategies) who register offshore in the Cayman Islands are driven by lighter regulatory requirements. A low tax rate on profit plays an important role in fuel the expansion of the offshore financial centres around the world. There are onshore clients who like to take advantage of the low-tax environment in these offshore financial centres compared to their home countries. As a result, the demand more financial companies increases substantially over the last decade. Another advantage we like to highlight is confidential. One example we like to quote is the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands offer a different level of secrecy. The long arm of United States law failed to reach there. The Cooks generally disregard all foreign court orders, except for New Zealand, making it easier to keep assets from creditors, or anyone else.

Who should apply for an offshore financial service license?

Any person who intends to provide, carry on, transact or hold himself or itself out as providing,carrying on, or transacting any of the following international financial services should apply for a licence:

• International asset protection and management
• Money transmission services
• Payment processing services
• Trading in foreign exchange
• Trading in financial and commodity-based derivative instruments and other securities(e.g. futures, options, interest rates, foreign exchange instruments, shares, stock,contracts for differences, etc.)
• Money brokering
• Money lending and pawning
• Money exchange
• Brokerage, consultancy or advisory services in any of the above services