Publications, 25 June 2025
Doing business is becoming increasingly global, and Belarusian entrepreneurs are increasingly thinking about opening companies abroad. There is no universal recipe for choosing a jurisdiction. We are starting a series of articles for the business portal OfficeLife on the issue of choosing a foreign jurisdiction for business.
Why do you need a company abroad?
– First of all, you should define why you need a foreign company, says Nikolay Artemyev.
Below are the most common reasons for registering companies abroad:
- operational activities abroad. Many create a foreign company to work in the global market: IT startups, export-import trade, online services, etc. A foreign jurisdiction simplifies the acceptance of payments from all over the world and access to foreign clients. A foreign company actually opens the door to an international audience without sanction barriers;
- holding structure and asset ownership. Registering a holding company abroad allows you to consolidate the ownership of assets (subsidiaries, real estate, intellectual property) in a stable jurisdiction. This is often used to protect assets and simplify business structuring. For example, if an entrepreneur owns several companies in different countries, it makes sense to establish a foreign holding company that will control them. A number of countries offer closed registries of beneficiaries and trust mechanisms, which can ensure the confidentiality and security of assets;
- tax optimization. One of the classic motives is to reduce the tax burden through a softer fiscal system. Some countries have reduced income tax rates or special benefits for foreign businesses. And sometimes you can even legally work without taxes – for example, a Hong Kong company operating outside Hong Kong is exempt from local taxes;
- asset protection and private structures. For wealthy individuals, it is important to create personal funds, trusts and other structures abroad in order to preserve capital. This is a way to protect property from country risks, lawsuits, etc.;
- obtaining special licenses. If the business requires licensing (financial activities, Forex, crypto exchanges, investment funds, gambling, etc.). A Belarusian license may not be recognized abroad, so entrepreneurs register companies in countries where they can obtain the necessary license and start working in the relevant markets. For example, Cyprus and the Baltics (investment companies, EMI licenses) are popular for financial services, Curacao or Malta are popular for gambling, and Switzerland, Estonia, and the UAE are popular for crypto business. The choice of jurisdiction is often determined by the ability to legally obtain the required permit and operate within the legal framework;
- attracting investments. A startup applying for foreign investments will be much more successful in finding funding if it is registered in a clear and trusted jurisdiction for investors. Usually, a startup comes to an investor, and not vice versa, so few venture funds will invest in high-risk jurisdictions and would rather invest in a project/company in Delaware or London. Developed countries provide access to large investor communities and capital markets. In addition, the legal system of England or the United States better protects investors’ rights. Therefore, in order to scale and grow a business, founders are often forced to open a company abroad in order to then attract partners or go public.
Read the full version of Nikolay Artemyev’s article at OfficeLife.
