NIUE OFFSHORE INFORMATION

Small jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean. Little regulation or disclosure requirements.

ADVANTAGES	Modern & flexible legislation. Low annual fees. Company name can be in Chinese script or any language with an English translation
DISADVANTAGES	The lack of public registers makes proof of ownership difficult. Not recommended for high profile trading operations
CORPORATE LEGISLATION SOURCE	Company Law - The International Business Companies Act 1994 (as amended)
COMPANY STATUS	International Business Company (I.B.C.)
USUAL MINIMUM CAPITAL	No minimum
COMPANY NAME	Prior approval required. Some words sensitive eg Royal, Imperial. Must end 'Limited', 'Corporation', 'Incorporated', 'Societe Anonymne' or any other recognised alternative
TIME TAKEN TO INCORPORATE	1 - 2 days
ARE SHELF COMPANIES AVAILABLE	Yes
CAPITAL DUTY	US$150 for all companies, irrespective of their authorised capital or types of shares
MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS	One
ARE BEARER SHARES / SHARES OF NO PAR VALUE POSSIBLE?	Yes, provided they are held by a custodian such as Fiduciary Trust Limited / Yes
DIRECTORS: MINIMUM NUMBER / CORPORATE DIRECTORS ALLOWED / LOCATION	One / Yes / No restriction
SECRETARY: MANDATORY / CORPORATE SECRETARY ALLOWED / LOCATION	No / Yes / No restriction
IS THERE A REQUIREMENT FOR A REGISTERED OFFICE / REGISTERED AGENT	Yes / Yes
IS THERE A REQUIREMENT BY THE AUTHORITIES PRIOR TO INCORPORATION OR PRIOR TO TAX STATUS BEING GRANTED	None
INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON PUBLIC FILE	Memorandum & Articles / Registered Office and Registered Agent
DOCUMENTS TO BE KEPT AT REGISTERED OFFICE	None
CORPORATE BOOKS AND SEAL	Yes / Optional, may be kept anywhere
ACCOUNTS REQUIRED / FILED	No / No
ANNUAL RETURN REQUIRED	No
WHERE ARE MEETINGS TO BE HELD	No restrictions
ANNUAL FEES PAYABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT: TAX / ANNUAL RETURN FILING FEE	US$150 for all companies irrespective of their authorised capital or types of shares, paid on the anniversary of incorporation
ARE THERE ANY EXCHANGE CONTROLS	No
DOUBLE TAX TREATIES	None

INTRODUCING NIUE

Niue is situated in the South Pacific Ocean on the eastern side of the international date line, in the heart of Polynesia. Within a short flight of New Zealand, it shares approximately the same time zone as Hong Kong and other key Far East locations. The official commercial language is English.

Legal System

Niue is a self governing nation under the authority of the Niue Constitution Act however Niueans are citizens of New Zealand. Niue is a British Comonwealth Associate and has the protection of the British Crown. Her Majesty The Queen of Great Britain is the Head of State. The Niue flag incorporates the British Union Jack.

Niue's International Business Companies are incorporated under and regulated by the International Business Companies Act 1994. Niue has also enacted comprehensive legislation and regulations regarding Niue Development Bonds, Trust/Trustee Companies, Banks, Off-shore Banking and Off-shore Insurance matters.