Uruguay
Uruguay is the kind of place which keeps sensibly quiet about its assets. The beguiling 650 kilometer coastline, squeezed between Brazil and Argentina, lures a regular trail of glittering celebrities like supermodels Gisele and Naomi.
Dubbed 'South America's Hamptons' or 'St Tropez', this coastline is a must-have haunt for the emerging elite of Rio and Buenos Aires.
Hundreds of kilometers of beautiful beaches, sophisticated cities, and culture. Fantastic food, perfect infrastructure, a moderate climate with summer during the opposite months of North America and Europe (December-February), the highest standard of living and life expectancy in Latin America with the lowest crime rate and level of corruption, political and economic stability, favorable laws for foreign investment, confidentiality and offshore banking.
Like many European and US expats, they know Uruguay is a low risk investment. Financially and politically speaking, it feels like Switzerland. Except for the cost of living, which is 40 - 60 per cent lower than in Europe.
Favorable Laws for Foreign Investment & Superb Business Environment: Equal treatment for foreign and local investors. No special requirements for new companies. No restrictions on the amount of foreign capital that can participate in an investment. Free entrance and repatriation of capital and dividends. Favorable tax reatment on imports of capital equipment.
Freedom of prices and no exchange restrictions. Freedom of choice regarding nationality when hiring labor. Possibility of total anonymity for investors. An open trade policy, and an expanding market through the consolidation of the Mercosur trade agreement. A solid and independent judicial system. Legal protection for private property and copyright.
The existence of instruments to channel off-shore investments virtually tax-free. Availability of political risk insurance. Promotional investment regimes in tourism, forestry, industrial promotion, and free trade zones.
Offshore Banking and Confidentiality: There are 22 private banks and 13 financial institutions. Of the 22 private banks, 20 are branches of foreign entities. The ree entry and exit of money and bank secrecy have developed Uruguay into the financial center of the Mercosur.