Lebanon is a country with a strong tradition related to the local free trade and investment policies. It has an economy which is characterized by free transfers and exchanges, based on private initiative. In this article, our company formation consultants in Lebanon present a brief guide on the Lebanese company formation procedures.
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Main types of business entities chosen by foreign investors in Lebanon
Briefly, foreign investors in this country can choose to invest in a wide range of business entities. These usually are:
• The joint-stock company (SAL);
• The limited liability company (SARL);
• The branch office.
Our Lebanon company formation agents consider important to state that joint-stock companies have bigger capital requirements than the limited liability ones.
Except for areas such as real estate businesses and exclusive commercial representation, foreign entrepreneurs can own a local business without restrictions.
Investors are able to buy shares of already opened domestic businesses or set up their own companies in the country.
The registration procedure of a business entity in Lebanon is an easy one, the estimated time which is needed to complete the registration not exceeding 10 to 15 days after the date the necessary documents have been received by the relevant authorities.
Requirements for foreign businesses to operate in Lebanon
Foreign businesses which intend to operate in Lebanon must abide by the following two requirements:
• To register with the Ministry of National Economy (the local registrar of companies). This is only applicable for businesses whose liability is limited by shares. Usually, it is only applied to foreign businesses which open a branch or an agency in the country. Our company registration representatives in Lebanon can offer all the necessary information regarding the documents needed to register with this ministry;
• Register with the commercial registry: according to the local regulations, the business has to complete the registration formalities at the commercial courts in Beirut in maximum one month from the date it opened its branch or agency.
If you need to know more about how to register your business in Lebanon, or for help related to opening a business here, please contact our friendly company formation advisors in Lebanon.