Panama company formation
Panama has a stable democracy, a growing and competitive economy that has consistently grown at a rate of 2 to 5% per year, in addition to:
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Absence of major natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis or earthquakes.
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Panama’s Sovereign Debt has been granted Investment Grade by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch Ratings.
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Banking facilities for companies acting as holding companies or in any case doing business from Panama and possibility of opening accounts remotely, meaning, without having to travel to Panama.
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Panama provides more security for the Beneficial Owner or Shareholder, as any amendment or modification to the articles has to be recorded publicly and authorized, if so expressed on the certificate of incorporation, by the shareholders, whereas in other jurisdictions (typically common law jurisdictions) these changes may be done privately and with no obligation to register, thus a shareholder could very well not be aware or have knowledge of an amendment.
Common uses of Panamanian Companies (Sociedades Anónimas):
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As a holding entity for shares, bonds, bank accounts, term deposits, investment projects, IP rights or any other financial or commercial title
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Owner of shares in other companies, be them Panamanian or foreign.
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Owner of immovable property, such as apartments, lots, houses or any other asset, be them movable or unmovable
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Manager or promoter of international commercial transactions
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International lease of aircraft, vehicles, machinery, vessels and others
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Instrument to receive and deliver loans in cash or commissions for products and services
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Marketing and promotion of products and services
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Other financial or commercial activities.
For over eighty five (85) years the Panamanian Corporation ("Sociedades Anónimas") have been recognized, worldwide, as a corporate vehicle that can be successfully used in a variety of International Business, Asset Protection, Estate Planning Structures, among others.
The Panama Private Foundation
The Panama Private Foundation (hereinafter known as PIF) has its origins in the Law 25 of 1995, which in turn was inspired in the PGR or better known as the “Liechtenstein Persons and Company Act”, that contains one of the first references to the private non-profit foundations. In Panama, this and the most recent innovations in the Anglo-Saxon Trust enabled the creation of the Private Foundation utilizing the best features and characteristics of both worlds.
A PIF is a legal entity that can be created by either a natural person or a corporation that later transfers part or all of his/her assets to the Private Foundation so they can be managed and protected in favor of the Beneficiaries.
Common uses of Panamanian Private Foundation:
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Family support.
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For tax deferral purposes.
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For the protection and management of assets.
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For educational purposes.
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Testamentary purposes.
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For life annuity purposes.
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For charitable purposes.
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To receive and manage capital and titles.
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For the purpose of serving as guarantee or collateral.
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For the management of insurance.