The most common forms of business organizations operating in Lebanon

The Offshore company is a special type of Joint Stock Company having a limited object to operate only in the Lebanese free zone and/or outside the Lebanese territory and benefiting from special tax and other provisions.

Below is a brief of the main requirements for the constitution of a Joint Stock Offshore Company “Offshore S.A.L”:

• Minimum number of Shareholders is (3) three.

• Minimum initial capital is LBP/30,000,000/ (approximately USD/20,000/) and can be determined in foreign currency.

• Managed by a Board of Directors composed of not less than (3) three and not more than (12) twelve members.

• All board members must own a minimum number of shares in the company (determined in the company’s by-laws).

• Exempted from the obligation to have Lebanese citizens or corporations on its Board of Directors.

• Tax advantages.

• The board elects a Chairman who represents the Company and carries out the board’s decisions.

• Must necessarily have headquarters in Lebanon.

• Must necessarily appoint one auditor.

• Appoint a lawyer.