A foreign company wishing to do business in Lebanon may choose among two options: establishing a branch office of a foreign incorporated company or setting up a local company. This may be either wholly owned, or in partnership with Lebanese nationals.

1. Branch Office

The establishment of a branch office of a foreign incorporated company requires approval by the Ministry of Economy and Trade. The applicant must submit an application to the Ministry, which shall include the name of the company, its head office location and the amount of its capital. And support the application with the memorandum of association, a copy of the by-laws, a certified statement as to the capital of the company, a certified statement of the resolution of the company's board of directors authorizing the establishment of the branch office in Lebanon and a power of attorney document drawn up in favor of the company's representative with powers to establish, register, regulate and generally implement the necessary measures in order to begin operations in Lebanon, including the power to represent the company before all courts, either as defendant or plaintiff with the right in this respect to grant powers of attorney on behalf of the company to legal counsel in Lebanon, and the power to revoke the same.

2. Forming a Lebanese Company

In establishing a wholly owned subsidiary or a joint venture in Lebanon, foreign investors may choose among several forms of organizations available under Lebanese Law. The main types of companies in Lebanon are:

The Joint-Stock company, The Limited Liability company, The Holding company, The Offshore company, The Limited Partnership, and The General Partnership.

*N.B. - For more information regarding investment and establishing a company in Lebanon, please visit the website of the Investment and Development Authority in Lebanon at www.idal.com.lb.