Building a sustainable international presence
Creation and Management
Establishing a presence abroad involves much more than simply setting up a company. ICARUS INVESTMENT supports companies in the legal, financial, banking, tax and operational structuring of their international presence, with a view to building a compliant, efficient and sustainable organisation that is tailored to the realities of the relevant market and the company’s objectives.
Market entry & Company formation
Choosing a legal structure is one of the first strategic decisions to be made when setting up an international operation. Whether it is a branch, a subsidiary, a holding company or a foreign-owned enterprise, each option has different implications in terms of liability, taxation, governance and day-to-day operations.
ICARUS INVESTMENT supports its clients in analysing these various options in order to identify a structure that is consistent with their business, their development strategy and the constraints of the country in which they operate.
This process also involves mapping out regulatory requirements: local licences, sector-specific authorisations, rules governing foreign investment, any restrictions on ownership or administrative obligations.
Once the company has been incorporated, we can coordinate the services required for its day-to-day operation and to ensure it meets its obligations: annual returns, maintenance of statutory registers, administrative formalities and company secretarial services.
International Banking & Treasury
Simply setting up an organisation is not enough: it must also be enabled to operate and manage its cash flows effectively.
Opening a bank account for a foreign entity can be delayed by KYC procedures, documentation requirements and the internal policies of financial institutions. We assist with the preparation and coordination of these procedures and, where relevant, explore banking or financial solutions suited to international and multi-currency transactions.
We also provide advice on international cash flow issues: organising cash flows, managing foreign exchange risk and analysing hedging mechanisms designed to limit exposure to currency fluctuations.
The flow of capital between different entities within the same group may also require specific structuring. Intra-group loans and cash pooling must be considered whilst taking into account the regulatory and tax constraints specific to the relevant jurisdictions.
Payroll & International Human Resources
Employing staff in several countries means having to deal with different social, tax and pay regulations.
In particular, we analyse whether it is advisable to use an Employer of Record (EOR) – which allows for local recruitment without immediately setting up a legal entity – or to establish a local structure enabling the company to become a direct employer.
Support may also cover the coordination of international payroll, mandatory tax and social security deductions, local remuneration practices, as well as issues relating to international mobility, expatriate taxation and the risk of a permanent establishment.
Financial Strategy & International Taxation
Finally, a business setup must be considered within the context of its overall tax environment.
ICARUS INVESTMENT provides support in coordinating matters relating to transfer pricing, international tax treaties and the risk of double taxation.
The analysis may also cover withholding tax on dividends, interest or royalties, as well as obligations relating to indirect taxes, in particular VAT or GST.
The challenge is to take these factors into account right from the project’s planning stage, rather than having to deal with the consequences later on.
Our aim: to build an international infrastructure that is not only legally recognised, but also capable of operating effectively and sustainably.
DEVELOPING YOUR INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION PLAN
