Location
Located nearly midway between Indonesia and Hawaii, the Marshall Islands are the eastern-most island group in Micronesia. The Marshall Islands cover approximately 2 million sq. km in the Central Pacific Ocean, with two 1,280 km long parallel chains of atolls and volcanic islands separated by 179 km of sea. The Islands feature sandy beaches ringed by coconut laden palm trees, and surrounded by crystal-clear lagoons teeming with tropical fish, giant turtles and colourful coral.

Population
The islands have a population of just over 43,000 most of whom live in the capital Majuro.

Political Structure
The islands were settled some 4,000 years ago. In the 16th century, the Spanish were the first in a long series of visitors. Later, Russian navigators visited the Islands more extensively. It was not until the 18th century that British naval officer John Marshall rediscovered and gave his name to the Islands.

Germany annexed the Marshall Islands in 1885. After World War I, under a League of Nations mandate, the Japanese administered the Islands. After the Second World War, the Marshall Islands became a United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands under United States administration. The Republic of the Marshall Islands gained independence in 1986, becoming a full member of the United Nations in 1991.

The Marshall Islands Constitution, signed in 1979, is a blend of American and British models of government. Under the parliamentary system, the legislature, known as the Nitijela, elects a President from among its members. In turn, the President nominates a Cabinet of six to ten members.

The legal system is administered by courts whose judges are appointed by the Cabinet. The court system consists of local courts of first instance, a Traditional Rights Court with jurisdiction over real property matters and a High Court with maritime jurisdiction. Appeals may be brought before the Supreme Court in all cases.

Infrastructure and Economy
The infrastructure in the Marshall Islands is more sophisticated than most other nations in the region. The two islands with most of the population, Majuro and Ebeye both have reliable power plants and public water systems. There are two international airports and 26 airstrips scattered throughout the larger islands. There are also 12 deep water docks for large ocean going ships.

MARSHALL ISLANDS IBC

Excellent international communications on Majuro and Ebeye are provided by satellite links for telephone, fax and telex. Presently, there are two major Pacific region banks, as well as the Bank of the Marshall Islands - all on Majuro.

An important industry is large-scale commercial fishing. Japanese fishermen, who are licensed to fish Marshallese waters, haul in roughly 42 million pounds of tuna and billfish each year. The export of coconuts (copra) is another important economic factor.

The Marshall Islands has a rapidly growing ship registry, increasing by over 50% between 1994 and 1995. Vessel types include oil tankers, bulk carriers, container ships and fishing vessels.

The Marshall Islands only recently began to be viewed as a tourist destination. For environmental reasons, controlled tourism is the watch-word, whether on Majuro or on the outer atolls, the lagoons and the ocean offer snorkelling, scuba diving, sport-fishing and sailing.

Language
Languages spoken are Marshallese and English.

Currency
US Dollar.

Exchange Control
None.

Type of Law
Common Law based on Anglo/American Common Law.

Principal Corporate Legislation
The Associations Law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands 1990, which incorporates the Business Corporation Act (BCA) and the Partnership Act.

FEATURES of MARSHALL ISLANDS COMPANY

Registered Office Required
Yes, must be maintained in the Marshall Islands at the address of the licensed Trust and Management Company.

Timescale
One day, but a further two days is required for delivery of documentation from the registry.

Company Name
Company name cannot be identical or similar to an existing company. The following words or their derivatives may not be used: bank, chartered, establishment, foundation, insurance, partnership or trust.

Can be in any language as long as Roman letters are used. The Registrar may however require an English translation if a foreign language is used to ensure that the proposed name is not a restricted name.

Any standard corporate suffix or its abbreviation, for example: Corporation, Incorporated, Limited, Gesellschaft mit beshrankter Haftung, Aktiengesellschaft, Societe Anonyme, Sociedad Anonima.

Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership
No.

Authorised and Issued Share Capital
The standard authorised share capital is 500 shares without par value or a capital with a stated par value up to USD50,000. The authorised share capital may be expressed in any currency. The minimum issued share capital is either one share of no par value or one share of par value.

Marshall Islandsˇ corporations may have registered shares, bearer shares, preference shares, redeemable shares, shares with or without par value and shares with or without voting rights.

Taxation
The Marshall Islands statutorily exempts non-resident companies from paying any taxes.

Double Taxation Agreements
None.

Licence Fee
Annual maintenance fee of USD150.

Financial Statements Requirements
There is no requirement to file financial statements, but records should be maintained to reflect a company's financial status.

Directors
The minimum number of directors is one. The directors may be natural persons or bodies corporate. They can be of any nationality and need not be Marshall Islands residents.

Company Secretary
A Marshall Islands corporation must appoint a company secretary who may be a natural person or a body corporate. The company secretary can be of any nationality and need not be resident in the Marshall Islands.

Shareholders
The minimum number of shareholders is one. The shareholder can be a body corporate or individual and can be of any nationality.

REGISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE FEES

Registration Fee
With a standard share capital of less than or of USD50,000, the registration fee is USD800, which includes first year licence fee, first year registered agent and first year registered office fees and our incorporation service charges.

Annual Maintenance Fee
With a standard share capital of less than or of USD50,000, the annual maintenance fee for second year and thereafter is USD600, which includes annual licence fee, registered agent and registered office fees.

Documents and Information Required
1. A photocopy of identity card or passport of each director and shareholder;
2. Residential addresses with proof of all directors and shareholders, such as utility bill, telephone bill;
3. Proposed company names;
4. Shareholding by each shareholder, if more than one shareholder

Documents Given to Clients after Registration
1. Original copy of Certificate of Incorporation
2. Three (3) copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association
3. Ten (10) copies of share certificate
4. Register of Members and Register of Directors
5. Common Seal and company chop
6. Minutes for the appointment of first director(s)

Optional Services
Certificate of Good Standing: USD150
Certificate of Incumbency: USD150