Purchase a Company in Seychelles

Foreign investors who want to do business in Seychelles have several options they can rely on depending on their projects. They can either register a new company under one of the business forms accepted by the Company Law or by purchasing an existing company. The latter option opens the way to several possibilities which are described below.

If you want to purchase a company in Seychelles, our consultants here can be of help in the preparing the documents, but also in assisting you throughout the entire procedure. If setting up an offshore company in Seychelles is one of the options you are considering, we can also help you in registering one.

What are the main options when buying a Seychelles company?

The Seychelles Company Law enables foreign investors to operate here legally by setting up a new company or through an existing company. The second option can be exploited in several ways, among which the most popular are:

1. by purchasing a ready-made company and incorporating the history of another business;
2. by purchasing shares in an existing company in Seychelles and becoming a stockholder;
3. by taking over or acquiring an existing company under specific legislation in Seychelles;
4. by merging a foreign company with a Seychelles company in accordance with local and international regulations.

No matter your choice, our company formation agents in Seychelles can advise on the best option in accordance with your needs and requirements.

Acquiring a ready-made company in Seychelles

One of the main and simplest way of purchasing a company in Seychelles is to buy a ready-made business which usually comes registered as an anonymous company. Buying a shelf company in Seychelles is quite simple and the purchase can be completed by a single investor or another company which can use it to integrate the history of the foreign company and operate on the Seychelles market.

This company purchase option is quite easy to complete as it involves the transfer of shares from the current shareholder to the buyer who can become a stockholder or a beneficial owner in the Seychelles company.

We have a team of dedicated Seychelles lawyers who can help you with the documentation related to the purchase of a company.

Share purchases in Seychelles companies

Another option to buy a company in Seychelles is by acquiring shares in it. The purchase of shares can be completed through a private agreement or by buying publicly traded shares. However, only companies listed on the Seychelles Stock Market can sell shares to the general public.

The private purchase of shares implies reaching and signing an agreement with the shareholder(s) of the private company in which the stock is bought, while the purchase of shares issued on the Stock Market is less formal.

Our Seychelles company formation specialists can help you acquire a company through the private or public acquisition of shares.

Mergers and consolidations in Seychelles

Other ways of purchasing a company in Seychelles imply takeovers or acquisitions and mergers. Known as mergers and consolidations, this option is covered by the International Business Company Law in Seychelles as it is possible to merge or consolidate two International Business Companies (IBCs) into one.

The merger or consolidation must be approved by the directors of both companies based on a merger/consolidation plan which must include the following information:

• - the name of each company and the name of company following the purchase;
• - information about the shares in the newly-formed company, their classes and distribution among the new shareholders;
• - the terms and conditions of the purchase/merger and how the shares will be converted into new shares in the company to be formed;
• - information about the takeover of existing debts, obligations, movable and immovable properties in the company to be acquired.

Once the merger/consolidation plan is approved, the Memorandum and Articles of Association must be amended and filed with the Companies Register in Seychelles.

If you decide to set up an offshore company in Seychelles from scratch, we can help you.

Why invest in Seychelles?

Seychelles is one of the most appealing countries to invest in the Indian Ocean region. Among the reasons which recommend Seychelles, we can mention the following:

• - Seychelles has the 2^nd highest Gross Domestic Product per capita in Africa;
• - the insular state ranks 1^st in Africa, according to the Human Development Index;
• - it has 96% literacy rate and one of the most skilled and educated workforces in the region;
• - it welcomed 361,844 tourists in 2018 which makes tourism one of the most important industries to invest in.

If you want to purchase a company in Seychelles and need assistance, please contact our local agents.