The other day I received a call from someone looking to form a corporation in Brazil. This person was shocked to learn that Brazil is among the most difficult countries in the world in which to incorporate a business. In fact, according to the World Bank’s annual Doing Business Report, Brazil was ranked no. 121 in ease of starting a business. … [Read more...]
Sovereign Debt Litigation on the Rise.
On Wednesday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will hear argument in a sovereign debt lawsuit that could have a major impact on world debt markets. The case centers on a group of investors who sued Argentina seeking payment for $1.3 billion relating to bonds that the country defaulted on in 2001. While the court has already sided with investors on … [Read more...]
Individual Liability for Foreign Subsidiary Misconduct. The Logical Next Step.
Yesterday's post centered on how important it is for U.S. companies to keep tabs on their foreign subsidiaries. Well, the Conglomerate blog has an excellent post on the increase of foreign subsidiaries that have entered guilty pleas with the U.S. government for misconduct that took place after the financial crisis. What's interesting about the rise in foreign subsidiaries … [Read more...]
Hey U.S. Corporations–Don't Neglect Your Foreign Subsidiaries!
I recently received an email from a board member of a corporation concerned that one of the company’s foreign subsidiaries was having compliance issues. I immediately interrupted and asked if there were any local bodies on the ground at the company’s foreign subsidiary. I wasn't exactly surprised to learn that there were not. In fact, no one from the U.S. office had visited … [Read more...]
The Cayman Islands: Paradise for Foreign Workers. Not So Much for Tax Dodgers.
There's been a sharp rise in the number of foreign workers in the Cayman Islands. This according to a recent report from Justin Harper of Reuters. Despite increased taxes, the number of foreign workers in the island paradise has gone from 19,927 at the end of 2011 to nearly 21,000 by December 2012. The increase is largely the result of less stringent immigration laws that now … [Read more...]