|
International Services Introduction.
Unlike the Caribbean that has long been known
for its “favorable tax jurisdiction” status, the same
is not considered true for Central America. Insiders, however,
know that such an approach to this region may result in lost opportunities
for those having an interest in international business and finance.
One of the ‘newer Kids on the Block’ and a reputable
financial center for more than a decade, Belize, the former British
Honduras, is a Central American country that is a member of the
British Commonwealth and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This
independent nation, whose favorable offshore legislation was created
and implemented between 1990 and 2000, provides international
investors with a high level of flexibility and security; and,
has proven that it can stand on its own as a favorable tax jurisdiction
based on its privacy laws and confidential business climate.
International Business Companies (IBCs) have
existed since the early 90’s; and, almost 30,000 IBC’s
have been registered within Belize since then. IBC’s, used
in conjunction with Common Law Asset Protection Trusts, give the
savvy investor and high-net-worth individual the possibility of
keeping their business affairs private and their personal information
confidential. A Belize Trust and IBC can be structured so that
the assets of the Trust are held by the IBC which in turn has
its shares issued to and owned by the Trust. The beneficial ownership
of such a Trust can then be structured in a way that is most beneficial
to “the next generation’s” avoidance of inheritance
taxes; and is therefore an excellent estate-planning tool. Within
the international banking world, Foundations of Private Interest
are also establishing themselves as investment and estate planning
tools that are necessary to achieving a multi-jurisdictional structuring
approach to legally create an independent business strategy for
citizens of “high tax nations”.
Practitioners and independent financial services
firms within Belize have attracted the expertise of qualified
foreign attorneys, paralegals, accountants and professional consultants.
This is extremely important as investors to Belize need the assurance
that their newly created business venture is not only operating
legally and in accordance with the laws of the Belize jurisdiction,
but also in accordance with the laws and regulations of those
originating countries where their businesses are located in, or
where their beneficial owners, beneficiaries and other related
parties have their tax domicile residency.
The time is long past when citizens of the world
believed that by purchasing an offshore company and establishing
a foreign bank account, their tax problems would be solved. The
discriminate private individual and business investor has acknowledged
that it is only through the use of an international investment
structure (which may seem a bit complicated but in reality is
just basically a sound common sense approach) where they will
see results in legally minimized taxes and protection of their
assets.
A multi-jurisdictional structuring approach guided
by an internationally experienced and licensed financial services
provider might be a couple of dollars more expensive than buying
a “piece of paper over the Internet”, but it saves
you a lot of money in the longer run and even more so keeps you
out of trouble bringing about a collective peace of mind. As more
and more restrictions are being placed on other so called offshore
centers, Belize is now perfectly positioned to provide real business
solutions in a global environment through legal offshore investment
structures in combination with private and reputable banking facilities,
brokerage houses, investment advisors and financial institutions
found not only in Belize but within a worldwide network.
|
Additional services
available in Belize include ship registration, offshore
banks licensing and administration, mutual funds licensing
and administration, international insurance licenses and
representation, e-commerce solutions, wagering and gambling
licenses, merchant account facilitation and data processing
as well as structured international joint ventures and financing
solutions via legal vehicles that are able to attract funds
from international money markets giving the investor not
only interesting returns but tax deferral and minimization
opportunities. |
With the global economy an every day reality
combined with a complex and volatile market within a society that
becomes more litigious everyday, Belize provides a solution and
a safe haven not only for small and medium-sized businesses but
for every individual who is looking forward to safety and security
for himself, his family and the next generation. |
