Seamless Corporate & Trust Services in China
About Vistra Group Ranked among the top four corporate service providers globally, Vistra Group is a versatile group of professionals, providing a uniquely broad range of services and solutions. Our capabilities span across international incorporations to trust, fiduciary and fund administration services. The Group employs over 1,300 professionals in 35 countries throughout the Americas, Pan Asia Pacific, Middle East and Europe. In China, in order to provide a full spectrum of services targeting different market segments, Vistra Group operates under four main brands. OIL is the trusted leader in international incorporations, company formation and post-incorporation support across global jurisdictions. Vistra is a specialist service providing tailored trust, fiduciary, fund and corporate services globally. NovaSage is a leading company incorporation service provider specialised in offshore structures. TAKA is a renowned business services provider delivering incorporation and business outsourcing services. 1
Pioneer in corporate and trust services in China As a leading global player with expert industry knowledge and location specialists, Vistra Group has a deep understanding of the professional worlds of our clients and a proven track record of offering highly versatile solutions, providing the people, processes and products that help our clients get the most from their international business. China has evolved as one of the world s most sought after destinations for commerce and investment since opening its doors to international investors in 1978. In recent years, foreign companies who have already set foot in the country must constantly keep up with the varying regulatory changes while maintaining their business structures in compliance with local regulatory requirements. Setting up and running a business in China is challenging, including identifying the best structure to adopt, and complying with local administrative and tax regulations should not get in the way of profitability, growth and expansion. With the extensive local knowledge and quality of services, Vistra Group is capable of providing bespoke advice to international clients who are planning to explore or enter the China market or grow their operations in the country. Those Chinese clients who are seeking opportunities around the globe will benefit from our global network and resources. We work as trusted partners in navigating new jurisdictions wherever in the world our clients wants to do business. As one of the largest corporate and trust services providers in China, Vistra Group is well positioned to provide our clients with in-depth local knowledge, well proven processes and access to information on all major jurisdictions. We deliver seamless comprehensive service offerings through four distinctive brands, targeting towards different market segments and clients needs. Our Full Service Spectrum Company Formation & Renewal Services Technical Services Corporate Administration Services Trustee & Fiduciary Services Fund Services Family Office Services Sale of new companies incorporated in various jurisdictions Annual renewal services to maintain each company in good standing Provision of registered office / agent and licence renewals for each company Amendments to Memoranda and Articles of Association Documentation and certificates Dissolutions / restorations Provision of company secretarial and administration support Company secretarial services Bank account openings Registered office Directorships Corporate shareholdings Substance services Bookkeeping and payroll services Trust selection advisory services Trust deed drafting Provision of trustee services Preparation of accounts Fund formation Fund administration services Registrar and transfer agent Trustee, corporate and secretarial services Estate planning Monitor investment performance Manage lifestyle assets Treasury / cash management integrated reporting 2
2007 Group established presence in China 4 Locations: Beijing Guangzhou Shenzhen Shanghai (China headquarters) 140 People Milestones 1986 OIL commenced operations in Hong Kong 2005 TAKA entered the China market 2007 OIL opened office in Shanghai NovaSage commenced operations in Hong Kong 2008 OIL opened office in Beijing 2009 2010 Vistra opened office in Hong Kong NovaSage opened office in Shanghai Vistra entered China setting up an office in Guangzhou 2011 OIL opened offices in Guangzhou and Shenzhen 2012 The Group acquired NovaSage 2013 The Group acquired TAKA 2015 Vistra Group launched a new brand identity 3
Case study Using offshore structures for wealth management and asset protection The challenge A Chinese High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) wants to address the issues of business succession while retaining autonomy in his business operations. The solution Vistra helps the HNWI to set up a BVI Vista Trust which allows the business owner to manage the Company without direct intervention by the Trustee while still protecting the beneficiaries against misappropriation of assets. In order to set up the BVI Vista Trust, a BVI Company is needed under the trust structure. Vistra then asked one of its sister companies specialised in company formation to incorporate the BVI Company. And in discussion with the client, the sister company also incorporated a Cayman vehicle in preparation of a future listing of the business. The benefits Allows the settlor to manage the trust assets through management of the underlying company Smooth succession planning Avoidance of probate Asset protection Confidentiality Mitigate tax liabilities Protecting the interests of a business owner Trustee Settlor Client BVI VISTA Trust BENEFICIARIES Primary beneficiary Client during his lifetime Secondary beneficiaries Client s family members BVI Company Cayman Company (Listco) Director Settlor and/or Client Settlor s designated person Hong Kong Company China Business Operations 4
Case study International companies setting up operations in China The challenge A mid-sized European retailer who sells their products internationally wants to set up an office and operations in China for the first time, to sell to Chinese distributors and consumers but have no staff or representatives in the local market. The solution After a thorough analysis of the business model and market entry strategy of the European retailer, plus in-depth discussions on the appropriate structure, Vistra Group assists the European retailer to set up its holding entity in Hong Kong, and thereafter a Wholly Foreign Owned Entity (WFOE), together with subsequent branches in China to achieve its commercial objectives. As the company does not have plans to hire a full complement of administrative, finance, and HR staff while focusing on marketing and sales, it then commissioned Vistra Group s business support and corporate services team to handle their company secretarial, bookkeeping, tax-filing, payroll and HR services for all their various entities in China. Setting up operations in China European Retailer HK Holding Company IP Licensing Company* * Licensing Agreements WFOEs pay a royalty to the IP company as a cost of business, indirectly reducing tax on profits WFOE A Branch B Branch C Branch D Branch 5
Vistra Group Global Network: 46 locations in 35 jurisdictions Group locations OIL s licensed jurisdictions America San Francisco Delaware New York Anguilla Cayman Islands Bahamas Cayman Islands Belize British Virgin Islands Anguilla Curaçao Bahamas Curaçao Belize United States British Virgin Islands Pan Asia Pacific and Middle East Dubai Beijing China Hong Kong Samoa Seychelles Seychelles Guangzhou Macau Hong Kong Shanghai Shenzhen Taiwan Macau Singapore Johor Bahru Singapore Malaysia Taiwan Mauritius United Arab Emirates Mauritius New Zealand Wellington 6
Dublin London Jersey Amsterdam Antwerp Brussels Luxembourg Zug Geneva Poznan Wroclaw Prague Frankfurt Bratislava Zürich Warsaw Krakow Budapest Bucharest Madrid Barcelona Sofia Malta Cyprus Europe Belgium Ireland Romania Bulgaria Jersey Slovakia Cyprus Luxembourg Spain Samoa Czech Republic Malta Switzerland Germany Netherlands United Kingdom Hungary Poland 7
Contact us Shanghai (China headquarters) 33/F Westgate Tower No. 1038 Nanjing West Road Jing an District Shanghai 200041, P.R. China T +86 21 6090 0598 F +86 21 6361 6489 shanghai@vistra.com Beijing Suite 7008-7009, Tong Guang Mansion No.12 The Agricultural Exhibition Hall Nan Li, Chaoyang District Beijing 100125, P.R. China T +86 10 6567 3558 F +86 10 6567 3237 beijing@vistra.com Guangzhou 2604 Peace World Plaza 362 Huan Shi Dong Road Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China T +86 20 8384 8101 F +86 20 8384 8102 guangzhou@vistra.com Hong Kong Suite 5501, 55th Floor, Central Plaza 18 Harbour Road, Wanchai Hong Kong T +852 2521 3661 F +852 2845 9198 hk@vistra.com Shenzhen Suite 1709, New World Centre 6009 Yitian Road, Futian District Shenzhen 518038, P.R. China T +86 755 8347 3340 F +86 755 8347 1312 shenzhen@vistra.com 8 Vistra Group Holdings SA / February 2016