11 Tips to Start a Business in a Foreign Land

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by Vineeth Vypana Posted on August 7, 2019

Before setting up the business in a foreign land there are a few things to be considered. These insights will help you in establishing your business in a foreign land successfully.

Here are a few tips to look out for before you set out with your new business venture in the overseas market. It will ensure you have a hassle-free company formation and continued successful business operations overseas.

1. Research the Business Practice

Understanding the fundamental business dynamics of the new location where you are planning to start your business is important. Certain business laws, business practices, taxation policies, etc., varies across countries.

Hence do thorough research on the existing business practices to streamline your business operations without any unexpected roadblocks.

2. Understand the Country’s Political Climate

Setup your business in a location that is free of political risks and stability. The property rights and funds have to be rested with you and at no circumstances, the government must impose any tax or make a sudden change in the business support regulations.

Get legal advice and ask the locals to get a clear idea of the existing business scenario. Finding the right business jurisdiction with minimal political risk is crucial.

3. Understand the Country’s Economic Situation

Countries with low debt to GDP ratios, low or declining unemployment, and strong consumer spending normally make for good prospects for business setup.

The growing middle class, low inflation, and rising incomes are the key drivers. Starting a business in ideal conditions are always profitable than forming a profitable business in a dynamic and unstable market.

Not always business can be formed in ideal conditions, it is based on testing, experimenting, and continuous improvement; the business will succeed, be it even in a volatile environment.

4. Personal Knowledge of the Industry

Partnering with a trustworthy local, who already has experience and contacts within a given industry, can definitely increase your likelihood of success.

With your knowledge and business experience and the cultural & geographical know-how of your local partner, it will help in establishing a successful business overseas.

5. Language Barriers

It is best advisable to operate the business and communicate in the local language with your clients to build a good connect.

However, if you are dealing mostly with nationalities from US, UK, & Asia, for your business, English should be good enough for all your business communications.

In the case of communicating with other nationalities or conducting business in the local language, you can always hire a bilingual employee who can help with the language requirements as well as do general tasks to reduce company costs instead of hiring a translator.

6. Incorporation Process

The business incorporation process varies across locations. The number of days to open the company, paperwork, documents required, ease of doing business, government support, bank account services, etc., varies significantly in the overseas market.

So, have a thorough understanding of the business incorporation process in the country where you intend to start your business.

Talk to local experts there, partnering with business consultants are the best option. They would be well aware of the business processes, operations and government regulations for company formation.

7. Legal Operations

Based on the business jurisdiction and location, the legal system changes and there are many regulations. Have a thorough understanding of the legal system of the country where your planning to set up your business.

There are taxations laws, employment laws, ease of doing business, environmental laws, a whole lot of clearances to be obtained, etc.

Hence, a clear understanding of all this can avoid landing in the wrong place and reducing legal and administrative expenses.

8. Investigate the Infrastructure

The basic infrastructure of the area where you set up the business is important. Investigate the transportation, utilities, internet speed, political and economic stability.

The climate condition, infrastructure expenses, traffic and location of the new office, etc., has to be closely reviewed before you arrive at a location. In the long run, it will have a considerable impact on the operation expense of your company.

9. Set Realistic Expectations

While setting up a business in a foreign market, the best is to look at parallels to the type of market you are already serving.

Select countries where the products or services can be delivered with minimal changes to fit the local market and regulations.

10. Determine your Budget

When making your projections, be realistic and give enough room for expenses and when you estimate revenues be conservative.

The market condition and economics could change the track quickly and you will end up in insufficient start-up capital to run the operations.

Always anticipate that the breakeven will be longer than your initial expectations. It will help in avoiding any unexpected financial shortage for your business.

11. International Banking Relationship

If your business is exporting and importing goods from and to a country, be aware of the currency differences.

Always keep a tab on the exchange rates while processing your transactions. The foreign exchange market is highly volatile, so if you carefully execute your billing activities you can save a lot and avoid exchange losses to a great extent.

Reach out to your bank and open an international banking account with multiple currencies. This will enable you to invest money in various currencies to save the exchange rates.

Going by the above tips, the business set up in the Overseas Market would be a seamless process.