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At Henley & Partners' Zurich office we are best positioned to advise and assist you in all matters regarding doing business in Switzerland. Indeed, we have assisted many foreign clients - private entrepreneurs as well as multinational corporations - in establishing operations in Switzerland and are providing legal as well as administrative and support services on an ongoing basis.

An excellent business environment Many of the world's major companies have chosen Switzerland as the location for their global, European or regional headquarters, their international finance companies or research and development facilities. Some examples are Amgen (European headquarters) in Lucerne, LEGO (production facilities) in Zug, Kühne & Nagel (international holding) in Schwyz, Philip Morris (European headquarters) in Vaud, Compaq Computers (European headquarters) in Kloten/Zurich, or the IBM research laboratory in Rueschlikon/Zurich.

Centre of Zurich

But Switzerland is keen to attract not only large corporations but also small and medium sized enterprises and private entrepreneurs. Switzerland is business-friendly by tradition and offers a solution for every need and expectation. Switzerland's 26 cantons offer companies a wide range of opportunities. The advantages associated with Switzerland are complemented 26 times over by other advantages specific to each of these locations. Through its independent and well-established Swiss subsidiary, Henley & Partners assists foreign corporations and investors to find the ideal location for their business in Switzerland.

Quote from the October 2000 issue of CFO Europe, a publication of The Economist, London:

"... and the company's director of taxes went to work to find a new location for Baker Hughes' international treasury operations. "We looked at Dublin, Luxembourg and Holland," says Woolley. "But Switzerland offered the most favourable tax environment." While incentives vary from company to company, "this is probably the best place in Europe to relocate a treasury," insists Chris Kalin, director at Henley & Partners, a Swiss consultancy. For example, companies setting up a re-invoicing centre in Switzerland can expect to see their overall corporate tax rate cut to around 10%. Switzerland also has numerous double taxation treaties with other countries, including the US.

All of which explains why a number of multinationals have set up a base in Switzerland in recent years. Among them are Procter & Gamble, the $39 billion US diversified-household products company, and Caterpillar, a $19 billion heavy-equipment manufacturer. Another newcomer is the Europe, Middle East and Africa division of Compaq Computer, the $38 billion US company, which is in the final stages of moving to Zurich from Munich. "The Swiss authorities were very amicable and made us extremely welcome," says Werner Kopf, CEO of Compaq EMEA.".

Moderate taxation, but first rate infrastructure

The Swiss tax system is very much in line with the country's reputation as a centre for international trade and finance. Many tax privileges have been introduced in order to entice foreign investment in Switzerland, while there are very few restrictions on Swiss investment abroad. Switzerland also has an extensive network of treaties for the avoidance of double taxation. As a result of recent corporate tax reforms, doing business in Switzerland has become even more attractive as the tax system has been further improved. Also as a result of these reforms, the Swiss holding company gained again attractiveness and ranks today among the best holding jurisdictions in the world.

Switzerland is often perceived as a very expensive country and accessible only to wealthy individuals and large companies. However the overall cost of living and doing business in Switzerland compares very favourably with Germany, France, the Netherlands or the USA. What counts is what you get: State-of-the-art transport, communications, energy supplies and waste disposal systems cost no more in Switzerland than the price paid elsewhere for traffic congestion and environmental degradation.

Company Types in Switzerland

When establishing a new business or subsidiary in Switzerland, you may opt for branch office or a separate legal entity in the form of either a limited liability company or a stock corporation. Click here for an overview of key features of these main types of companies

Swiss Banking and Insurance

Banking and insurance are the foundation of Switzerland's financial system, which is arguably the most solid in the world. Swiss banks and insurance companies are extremely safe as the entire Swiss financial industry is tightly regulated. By providing sophisticated services to businesses as well as to discerning investors, by offering financial privacy, and through their solid reputation, safety and worldwide presence, Swiss banks and insurance companies are unique. Click here for more information on Swiss Annuities and Life Insurance

Some of the many advantages of Switzerland include:

	Political, social and economic stability
	Multi-lingual, highly qualified and motivated workforce
	First-class infrastructure, excellent banking facilities
	Very attractive lifestyle and healthy environment
	Efficient and reliable public services
	Possible fiscal incentives for substantial investments
	Favourable taxation system with moderate tax rates

To establish yourself or your business in Switzerland will require securing relationships with key partners such as government officials, bankers and corporate professionals. You need experienced consultants to build a network of contacts and help you to become established in your new environment.

The specialised services of Henley & Partners are a resource and complement to other consulting and law firms. We can help other firms and their clients with the unique and specific details required by the business relocation and immigration process and related tax planning.

To find out more about the possibilities Switzerland offers you, contact Henley & Partners. Through our offices in Zurich and Zug, we are best positioned to advise and assist you with all matters regarding Switzerland.

Kirchgasse 22   8001 Zurich
Telephone +41 44 266 22 22   Facsimile +41 44 266 22 23

Poststrasse 6   6300 Zug
Telephone +41 41 729 63 63   Facsimile +41 41 729 63 64

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