Belize is an independent country in Central America and is very convenient for doing business. Belize has been Independent since 1981 and is the home of approximately 250,000 people of diverse ethnic background. Belize is known for its political and economic stability and its Legal System is based on English Common Law and local statute. Its currency is the Belize dollar. English is the official language; however, Spanish is widely spoken. In the past, Belize's financial system was driven by the agricultural sector, but the development of offshore financial services which was launched in 1990 to ensure the survival of the economy.

The International Business Companies Act in 1990 allow for the following type of companies: Private Limited Companies, Limited Liability Partnership, Limited Life Companies, Joint Ventures and Cooperatives, Partnership, Sole Proprietor, Public Investment Companies, Trusts. The most common form used by international investors for registering Belize IBC is private limited company. Although the Belize IBC must conduct all its profit earning activities outside Belize the IBC act allows Belize IBC to:

• Lease an office in Belize,
• Obtain the services of Belize professionals and trust companies,
• Keep its company records and hold meetings in Belize,
• Operate an account with a local Banking institution,
• Hold shares in another Belize IBC and
• Own vessels registered in Belize

Fides Partners Ltd has created a package to suit your requirements:

Belize Incorporation           Our Fees £750           Renewal £550

1. Tax Free: An International Business Company (IBC) is a tax-free Limited Liability Company, incorporated under the laws of Belize, however all its profit-earning activities must be conducted outside Belize. IBC's incorporated in Belize are often used by individuals who wish to lease and own property, estate planning, tax optimization and by international companies in cross border transactions.
2. Cost Saving: The law in Belize was specially designed to make the maintenance of a Belize IBC cost saving. There is no minimum capital requirements, no need for audited accounts, no annual returns, no requirement for a local director or secretary and no requirement for an annual general meeting, hence no cost involved. It is also ensured that the registration fee remains competitive among the other offshore jurisdictions. The license fee for a standard company having an authorized share capital of US$50,000 having par value is only US$100.00.
3. Flexibility: Only one director and one shareholder are required and bearer shares or registered shares are allowed. The IBC may conduct any business that is not prohibited under the laws of Belize save and except for banking, insurance, trust management and collective investments, which requires a license. The IBC may also purchase its own shares and redeem its own shares.
4. Confidentiality: Belize's law has provisions to ensure that the anonymity of the individual is preserved. To register a company in Belize proper due diligence is carried out by the registered agents in compliance with The Money Laundering Act and Code of Conduct in Belize. A company may choose to have nominee directors or nominee shareholders; however, the only document presented for public filing at the registry is the Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation. There is no requirement for public disclosure or annual filing of accounts under the act. The Financial Intelligence Unit of Belize and the International Financial Services Commission of Belize are the only two organizations that have privy to client's information upon request.

Name of the company : The name of the company must contain one of the following words or abbreviations of the words: Limited, Corporation, Society Anonyme, Sociedad Anonima or Aktiengesellschaft or Ltd., Corp., Inc., S.A., A.S. or A.G. Names such as Bank, building society, savings, loans, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, trust, trustees, Chamber of Commerce, university, municipal or their foreign language equivalents or any name in English or a foreign language that may suggest association with the banking or insurance industries require a license. However names denoting any connection to local, state or national Governments are generally prohibited.

Memorandum and Articles of Association: A company is incorporated in Belize by submitting an application to the Registrar of Companies. Memorandum and Articles of Association must be filed with the Registrar and registration fees must be paid.

Shareholders: A minimum of one shareholder is required which may be an individual or a corporate body. There is no requirement to disclose the details of the beneficial owners.

Directors: A minimum of one director is required and corporate directors are permitted. Details of the directors do not have to be disclosed. There is no requirement to have resident directors.

Company Secretary: A company secretary is not required under the Act, but a secretary is normally appointed to facilitate signing obligations.

Registered office: Belize IBC must maintain a registered office and registered agent within Belize.

The share capital : There is no specific minimum capital requirement. The standard authorized share capital is US$ 50,000. The minimum issued capital may be one share and must be fully paid. Bearer shares are allowed

Taxation : Belize International Business Companies are exempt from the Belize income tax, from tax on dividends, interest, royalties, compensations and other amounts paid by a company; also they are exempt from all the capital gains, estate, inheritance, succession or gift tax with respect to any shares, debt obligations or other securities of the Belize IBC's. A Belize International Business Company does not pay any tax on its worldwide profits to Belize authorities.

Audit and financial returns: There is no requirement to file audited accounts or annual returns with the authorities; a company is required to keep financial records to reflect the financial position of a company. Annual renewal fees are payable every year in January starting the year following the company incorporation and every January thereafter if the company was incorporated in the first half of the previous year. If incorporation was in the second half of the year, the annual renewal fee is payable on 1st July of the following year and every July thereafter. Annual renewal fees must be paid in order that the company remains in good standing.

Meetings: The directors and the shareholders meetings need not be held in Belize and there is no requirement for an Annual General Meeting. All meetings may be held outside Belize, by telephone or other electronic means.