How does one start a branch office of an European Business ?

[mariaobetsanov]

My husband family has a large agro-business of export in Bulgaria, they wish to expand into tropical produce. Were have plans to move there, my husband is retired, I am a teacher. we don't need the money but it will give my husband something to do and keep him involved with his relatives. exports duty? wharehousing duties of European products in DR? much of these will be send US and latin America.

[Chris]

This is a hard question to answer in a few lines. Let me ask a few questions: Have you visited the DR? If you have, how long have you stayed? Have you researched the archives about doing business in the DR? And the last question, are you sure you want to spend retirement years trying to do business in the Dominican Republic business climate?

So, to give you a short answer, you go to a reputable attorney to register your business for you. Then, you can say you have a business in the DR. The question of where to place this business, can only be answered with much more information from you. Agro exports? What do you want to export and where do you want to export it to? Where will you get it from?

[BushBaby]

FIRST, you need to know if the produce from here can be shipped economically - will product shipped from the DR be competitive with similar produce from other areas?

Where are you going to live - North, South or East of the DR? What fluency in Spanish do you have? Do you have a shipping agent organised yet? (from your question I somehow doubt it). What produce do you have in mind to export to Bulgaria - standard or organic??

VERY important question - what restrictions will the European Community impose on the produce to be shipped? i.e. will you br PERTMITTED to import them into Bulgaria??

If you are considering the North Coast, PM or e-Mail me & I'll put you in touch with one of the shipping agents up here. I used to work with this company before retiring & we used SeaTrade (out of Holland) as the shippers & they called at the Manzanillo port near Monti Cristi!! Bananas & avocados were the produce & European restrictions curtailed the exporting due to Bananas having to be "Straight" & 6" in length!!!!!!!!!! So CHECK the European Comunity regulations VERY carefully before you take this enquiry too far!!!

Re the importing of European goods for onward shipping to US & Latin America (& possibly other parts of the Caribbean??) you will be advised to set up the warehouse in a Free Zone to take advantge of tax concessions!! I can introduce you to someone who co-ordinates the Free Zones on the North Coast but he will need to know a LOT more before he spends too much time on your "Enquiry"!! Are the products likely to need 'Cold Storage' facilities as this would create al sorts of additional problems?

Hope this helps - Grahame.

[Cyber Park]

No one can afford not to study the market.
After the feasibility study on the market, competitors, regulation and full SWOT inspection, first stage is to incorporate under dominican law.
you will find it hard to open bank account, obtain permits and legal status without a corporation and RNC (tax payer number).
then have representation contract with the other party, specify territory, delivery, responsabilities & liabilities.
register the representation.
good luck

can help you in the process
ONE Marketing Team
Outsourcing Network Enterprises
Phone (809) 440-4100
e-mail one.mt@enel.net
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/onemar...t/aboutme.html

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Cyber Park

can help you in the process
ONE Marketing Team
Outsourcing Network Enterprises
Phone (809) 440-4100
e-mail one.mt@enel.net
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/onemar...t/aboutme.html

I don't like advertising on a general board. I like even less people that advertise under the guise of "helping" and supporting....

So, Cyber Park, maybe you can help this person, maybe you cannot... but nevertheless, you need to pay Robert some money for advertising before you advertise your services. If you've done so and you've paid your nickel, please accept my apologies.

[Cyber Park]

Originally Posted by Chris

I don't like advertising on a general board. I like even less people that advertise under the guise of "helping" and supporting....

So, Cyber Park, maybe you can help this person, maybe you cannot... but nevertheless, you need to pay Robert some money for advertising before you advertise your services. If you've done so and you've paid your nickel, please accept my apologies.

Dear Chris,
As a Gold member of the Forum, with 1,089 (!) messages with very good contribution to the content, I wish to welcome you to the BUSINESS part of the Business Board:

1. most of the members are seeking a kind of help or opportunity.
2. all my answers are based on my 18 years of knowledge in the Dominican business arena
3. all my answers are honest, feasible, and good advices
4. all my answers protects the confused investors
5. most of my answers presents the Dominican Republic in a positive way (and you know it is not easy recently)
6. every customer receive above the free advices at least one free hour.
a. A couple of American businessmen (that both of us had interaction in the Board) traveled with me in during two half days, in my vehicle, in three Free Zones and did not paid a cent.
7. I think that it is fair to present my details in a responsible way next to my answer.

The answer that you referred to was not only a promo, but several tips:
a. No one can afford not to study the market.
b. After the feasibility study on the
i. market,
ii. competitors,
iii. regulation and
iv. full SWOT inspection,
c. first stage is to incorporate under dominican law.
i. you will find it hard to
1. open bank account,
2. obtain permits and
3. legal status without a corporation and RNC (tax payer number).
d. then have representation contract with the other party,
i. specify
1. territory,
2. delivery,
3. responsibilities &
4. liabilities.
e. register the representation.

I will more then glad to have the opportunity to have a cup of coffee or beer with you.

PS: Robert & I discussed the “Nickel” issue

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Cyber Park

PS: Robert & I discussed the “Nickel” issue

No problem then - that is what I 'whined' about - probably cause I feel guilty as I still owe Robert 20 bucks for an ad.... btw, i'm quite amazed that you welcome me to the business forum... I've been around and have given a fair share of input to the forum.

[Cyber Park]

Originally Posted by Chris

No problem then - that is what I 'whined' about - probably cause I feel guilty as I still owe Robert 20 bucks for an ad.... btw, i'm quite amazed that you welcome me to the business forum... I've been around and have given a fair share of input to the forum.

Chrix,
the "Gold member of the Forum, with 1,089 (!) messages with very good contribution to the content" is you, but the beer invitation is on me

I'm also available one the MSN messanger g_h_yon@hotmail.com

[Chris]

[quote=Cyber Park]Chrix,
the "Gold member of the Forum, with 1,089 (!) messages with very good contribution to the content" is you, but the beer invitation is on me
QUOTE]

Hehehe, never realized that I've posted so much... I guess I deserve a beer, or maybe I just simply talk too much!

Anyway, back to the thread, Mariobetsanov, if you give us a little more detail we can try to give you answers. However, you have to be in the DR to investigate the issues around running a business here.

[mariaobetsanov]

I am Dominican from Santiago(Rodriguez and Garcia), my Spanish is the level that a test was administered for University level, and it got me out of taking anymore classess. I attended primary school in Licey. My husband Speaks Six languages, uncluding Spanish> Both our daughterswho are adult have live DR when in primary level. I know that things change quite often , every time a new political party comes inand that regulations to incaurage new money into the economy it getting harder to find. I read the message board several time a week. My nephew is coming this summer, and I want to be ready to answer some questions about starting operations in DR. I am grateful that so many of you answer my questions.