Media Coverage

The move towards AI-powered startups and mid-size businesses continues to grow rapidly, as companies leverage AI's capabilities. There seem to be two key streams of companies who appear well-positioned to explore AI and the impact on their business: startup ventures and multi-billion dollar giant corporations.  In a recent article by Harvard Business Review (HBR), they outline some of the ways in which AI ventures can help to support midsize companies.   If a midsize business wants to thrive in the AI era, it will need to evaluate the new ways in which it can become more competitive. This might include some options that have not yet been considered. Three examples HBR provides include:  1. Source cross pool data. By sourcing and organising data from multiple sources, mid-size companies are able to train and deploy machine learning (ML) algorithms for a variety of applications.   2. Source an in-house team of experts trained in AI to develop unique solutions. This is to help prevent putting long-term value creation.   3. Connect to an AI-focused CVC fund. This helps midsized firms to pool financial resources as well as technical and business expertise to scan and invest in the AI startup scene.  By offering access to an interconnected network of firms, rather than just a single firm, these joint ventures may also be more interesting partners for startups seeking financial and complementary resources.  READ THE FULL HBR ARTICLE ON HOW MID-SIZED COMPANIES CAN COMPETE IN AI HERE.

Russia remains one of the most interesting markets in Eastern Europe for foreign entrepreneurs because of its high market potential and low competition in many industries. On the other hand, speaking from the perspective of the Western world, Russia is a peculiar ecosystem in the economic and legal sense. Russia is not the EU, which means the rules for doing business are different.Saint Basil's Cathedral. Church in Red Square in Moscow, RussiaRussia exists under sanctions and pressure from the West. Russia has its own digital ecosystem - Google is not the main search engine, Facebook is not the main social network, and Amazon is not the main e-commerce platform. Despite this, we see that a significant number of global companies have expressed an interest in doing business both with Russia and with the entire Russian-speaking audience. And when you enter the Russian market (144 million people), your business automatically comes to the attention of 260 million Russian-speaking people around the world.Sales in Russia 2020The Economic Crisis and the consequences of the restrictions imposed in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on the development of trade in Russia:● Wholesale trade turnover increased by $3.6 billion in the Russian Federation in 2020 compared to 2019 and amounted to $1.1 trillion at the end of the year.● Retail turnover decreased by 4.1% in 2020 compared to 2019 and amounted to $454.8 billion. Retail sales of food products fell by 2.6% up to $222 billion, non - food products-by 5.2% up to $232.8 billion;● According to the Association of E-Commerce Companies, the volume of the Russian e-commerce market in 2020 increased by 58.5%, up to $43.3 billion, while its share in the total sales of the retail market amounted to 9.6%. Due to the pandemic, a drop of 25% was recorded in the cross-border model.Based on the results of 2020, e-commerce has become one of the most dynamic sectors in the Russian economy. It is worth mentioning that because of the pandemic and the imposition of restrictions in the Russian Federation, as well as around the world, different segments of the consumer market have been substantially transformed. In particular, the demand has dramatically transferred from physical stores to online merchants. The largest online hypermarkets and marketplaces have strengthened their leadership online, and many retailers have initiated active development within a multi-channel model of interaction with customers which were linked not only with the development of their own online stores and delivery, but also with the development of applications for mobile devices, cooperation with marketplaces, and development of joint projects with other retailers and service companies.E-commerce has become one of the most dynamic sectors in the Russian economy.Specificity of the Russian MarketRussia is ranked 28 in the Ease of Doing Business (The World Bank). The country holds a higher position in the following rating categories: Getting electricity (7), Registering property (12), Getting credit (25), Enforcing contracts (21), and Dealing with construction permits (26). Such conditions promote the development of entrepreneurship in Russia, including the influx of foreign trade operators.An important factor in the development of modern trade is the e-commerce segment. Russia holds the 25th position in The Inclusive Internet Index, having a positive impact on the e-commerce development in the country. In this regard, representatives of retail and wholesale sales should give special consideration to the company's presence on the Internet, in particular, to the adaptation of web resources into the Russian language.Hermitage, Palace Square, Saint Petersburg, RussiaRussia is a huge country, so logistics play a special role. Not only product delivery to the country should be considered, but also its transportation across Russia. In The Logistics Performance Index rating, Russia held only the 75th position, due to the low infrastructure quality assessment and complicated customs clearance, which is one of the barriers to foreign companies entering Russia. Another unfavorable factor is administrative barriers and complex legislation.Peculiarities of business promotion in RussiaThe first thing which should be considered to promote in the Russian market is the localization of advertising materials, web resources, and other content into the Russian language. It is not just the translation, but the processing of all materials in accordance with the Russian legislation, the peculiarities of the language, and the cultural characteristics of Russian consumers. For example, vulgarities, sex jokes, and the demonstration of losers in advertising are not relevant for a Russian consumer.Vulgarities, sex jokes, and the demonstration of losers in advertising are not relevant for a Russian consumer. Once I had a conversation with the Head of a New York representative office of a large network agency. He promoted Western FMCG products on the Russian market at the beginning of the ’90s. He noticed the high level of education of the Russian consumer. To increase sales of laundry powder in most developing countries, it is enough to show a funny dance and a happy family. The Russian consumer doesn’t believe such advertising messages. In Russia, commercials with tests and experiments, scientific facts proving the effectiveness of the product worked well.If you look at the whole world, you can distinguish four large digital ecosystems. The first one includes North and South America, Europe, and most of Asia: Google, Facebook, Apple, etc. Next, China, South Korea, and Russia stand apart with their own special ecosystems. The reasons for China are familiar to everyone - everything is blocked. The firewall simply keeps out Western media giants. There are no restrictions on Western services in Korea, but they are not popular there for political reasons. And only in Russia, there is real and fair competition between media giants. And, of course, this is because of the fundamental mathematical education (and as a result, a great many qualified programmers), that has been in Russia since the Soviet Union.Zhivopisnyy Most, Moscow, Russia In this connection, the second important factor to be taken into account when promoting is the Russian unique digital ecosystem, which includes Russian-language channels that are little known in foreign countries:● Yandex search engine and its services are the most popular in Russia (84.3 million users) and Google occupies the second position (82.4 million users in Russia, according to Mediascope research company for May 2021).● The most popular social network in Russia is VKontakte. More than 70 million Russian people use the social network every month. Another Russian social network, Odnoklassniki, with an audience of 42 million users is in the top three in Russia. Facebook ranks in only fifth position with an audience of 35.8 million users in Russia.Facebook ranks in only fifth position with an audience of 35.8 million users in Russia In the category of marketplaces in Russia, there are also players that are not represented in the world market. The top Russian trading platforms include AliExpress Russia, Yandex. Market, Ozon, Lamoda and Wildberries. The turnover of the largest companies on average increased by more than one and a half times over the year. Such growth has become a steady trend due to the increased competition and state policy aimed at business localization.For more information on doing business in Russia, we have launched a new platform - Centuro Connect, that dives into blueprint specifics helping you do your research all in one place. It is the ultimate tool for understanding market entry options, HR, Immigration, Legal Requirements, Tax & Accounting, and much more.EXPLORE THE PLATFORM

Are you considering expanding your UK business into Europe, but unsure of which best countries to start with? We’ve broken down three of the best countries you should be considering as part of your global expansion process - France, Germany, and Denmark. Our selection criteria based on a range of benefits includes key market information and quality of life.Which country is best for you will be dependent on your sector. If you’d like more information about expanding into over 150 international markets you can sign up to Centuro Connect FREE for detailed global expansion strategies.1. FranceIt can be easy to overlook the UK's closest neighbour for opportunities further afield, but France has one of the largest economies in the world. They also have world-leading electronics, manufacturing, health, education, and finance sectors, making it one of the best countries for business in those industries.The country has a population of  67 million and has access to the EU single market. There is a well-educated workforce, with 34% of 25-64-year-olds holding a degree making it a good job market as well."France is a top-ranked country in regards to its quality of roads, railways, ports, and other infrastructure."In regards to residing in France, there are notable benefits to be had from both a corporate and social standpoint. For example, residents’ work/social-life balance is important. The Labour Code forbids work on a Sunday and overtime has an impressive 25% bonus. Whilst these are largely employee benefits, it gives business owners insight as to the approach to the balanced work-life in France. With a good balance of work and social life comes higher levels of productivity from your workforce.In addition to the above, government policy is favourable to entrepreneurs. President Emmanuel Macron once stated that he wanted to make France “the start-up nation”. As a result, there is considerably less red tape to fight through when setting up in France as you may encounter in other nations. For example, there is such a thing as a French Tech Visa. This acts as a fast-track way to residency for foreign tech talent.2. GermanyGermany is home to a highly educated and multinational workforce - a key factor to consider when expanding abroad and recruiting locals. In fact, business is the most studied degree in Germany, closely followed by social sciences and engineering. Additionally, The nation's second most spoken language is English, spoken by over 56% of residents. Communications are a big factor to consider when going global, particularly if you don’t speak the local language yourself."Germany's corporation tax is only 15%."Setting up in Germany also requires less backing than many other locations in Europe. One notable benefit is that only one director and one shareholder are required to set up a company in the country.In terms of the marketability of your services or products, Germany’s population is 82 million. This makes it the biggest market in all of Western Europe. Logistically, the country is also well situated in central Europe. This allows excellent access to surrounding countries and, in turn, their markets too.There is a growing belief that as the UK leaves the European Union business owners will choose Germany instead. Germany will likely take advantage of this and as a result, there could be good incentives to expand here. For this reason, we’d recommend keeping a close eye on Germany and what it can offer your business.3. DenmarkDenmark has not only a strong economy but has also been listed as one of the best countries in the world for cross-border trade. This makes it ideally suited to support international businesses. It is well connected to the other countries in this article, positioned north of Germany & France, and is also well connected for international supply due to its long coastline.In terms of relocating you, your family, and/or your employees, the country has some of the highest living standards in the world. It is also recognised as having the second-highest levels of gender equality in all of Europe, second only to Sweden."There is no need to immigrate or relocate to Denmark when setting up a business there. Local law allows business owners to do this remotely which can significantly simplify your international expansion strategy."Getting started here is quick, taking only 3.5 days to register a company. It is 3rd on the rankings of the easiest countries to do business in the world - which incidentally makes it the best in Europe.Whilst commonly overlooked, Denmark is one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to expanding your business overseas from the UK.If you would like to know more about any of the countries on this list, why not take a look at our new AI-powered Centuro Connect platform? It has detailed timelines and strategies for your global business expansion from our leading team of expansion experts.If you need help finding connections in the country you would like to expand into, the platform helps you liaise with approved partners in order to help you on your journey.Click here to find out more about the Centuro Connect platform and sign up completely free!

Brexit has posed both opportunities and challenges for various industries since the UK finally left the EU on January 1st, 2021. Some businesses will thrive under the new trade deal agreement, while others will reminisce about the old days of closer links to Europe. For the latter, international expansion into new markets could be a realistic and lucrative option.Expanding or relocating your business will open up opportunities for new trading deals, resources, consumer markets, and infrastructure. Regardless of your industry or product, there’s likely to be a European destination well suited to your commercial needs.Knowing where to start can be a difficult process. Factors such as time, finance, logistics, and justification all need to be considered. Fortunately, Centuro Connect has created this five-step checklist to ensure you’re on the right track with your post-Brexit business expansion.Watch our webinar on Doing Business in a post-Brexit EuropeIncentives For Global Business ExpansionOne key consideration should be whether the international market you’re looking to expand into has financial incentives. Some European countries have low start-up fees, generous tax reductions, and grants. This can make your global expansion process quicker and more cost-effective. Some countries have capitalised on Brexit and offered additional incentives, partly with the view of attracting UK businesses into their market. An example of this would be France's recent initiative that invests in startup tech companies with a Tech Visa. This stated, some countries may seem perfect for your business and services, but in actual fact you’re coming up against a lot of red tapes. In the same way, be vigilant about deals that seem “too good to be true”, and look out for long or expensive processes. Use the following questions to narrow down your shortlist of countries for international expansion by evaluating what they can offer you, before considering what you will do for them:What is the funding process in my chosen market?Which markets can offer me the best incentives?Are there any specific visas relevant to my industry?ImmigrationImmigration laws will be a key factor in how you expand your business overseas. European countries will have differing immigration laws, meaning you’ll have to extensively research which market suits your needs.Some countries will allow you to set up remotely, allowing you to oversee operations from your current location. This is particularly useful if you’re not looking to relocate your entire business and will save on personal travel and accommodation expenses over the duration of your setup.If you are looking to move with your business, it’s essential that you research visa requirements. Some international markets allow easier entry for certain industries. Examples of this would be the EU Blue Card or a Tech Visa. Use this immigration checklist before moving forward with your expansion journey:I understand the visa requirements for my chosen countryI know whether or not I am entitled to some form of business visaI can set up my business remotelyI know whether I need a resident of the country to be involved in the business setupTax & AccountingKnowing exactly where to begin with tax and accounting can be a minefield for business owners when expanding overseas. As a minimum, businesses will use an end-of-year accountant to ensure the company’s books are in order and that they are adhering to taxation laws. It can be a stress-inducing task, but entirely manageable with the right help.There should be no assumption that tax laws operate the same in alternate markets. Below is a list of things you should be aware of and checking throughout your new tax setup:If outsourcing, find a trusted accountant to work alongside youDevelop a good relationship with your accountant through frequent communications and sharing business plansDevise a tax risk management plan for safetyHave a cash repatriation infrastructure readyEmploymentYou may be familiar with employment laws in the UK, but requirements across Europe vary significantly depending on where you expand into. One notable example which varies from country to country is weekly working hours. Some governments enforce strict limits on hours that can be worked by anyone employed in a week. This should be a consideration when hiring your workforce, as a team of eight in the UK may need to be a team of ten elsewhere.In addition, there are lots to consider when addressing factors such as payroll, annual leave, HR, and contract setup. Be sure to address these employment questions along your global expansion journey:Is a local payroll provider required?What will my employees be entitled to from me, the employer?Who/what is required to draw up an employment agreement?What are the options to terminate employment?What type of work permits are available for any non-local hires?What are the legal maximum working hours per week in my chosen country?Community, Culture & Global ExpansionWhen expanding your business abroad, you aren’t just relocating assets. Very often you will be moving with your business and, for that reason, you should be confident of the area - the culture and social aspects of your new life. You will already know to brand your business in a way that appeals to the culture of the new market. In the same way, you prepare to give your business the best head start, you should do it for yourself and your family. Familiarise yourself with local traditions, language and make an effort to integrate yourself into the community. Below is a list of things you could do to make this transition period as enjoyable as possible from a personal standpoint:Partner with other local businesses or figures in the communityFamiliarise yourself with the language - app stores are full of fun tools for thisLearn about the history of your new locationJoin a local not-for-profit, such as an improvement districtPutting it into practiceThe Centuro Connect platform allows you to track all of the above in one centralised process.The AI interactive platform has details on tax, immigration, market entry points, HR, marketing, and real estate for 150+ countries. Contactable and reliable experts are also on hand to help you ace your expansion. The entire platform and its contents have been specifically designed to have a simple sign-up process and easy-to-use features.You can sign up for the Centuro Connect platform today! There’s no risk, and no endless documentation to fill out. Just a wealth of information and like-minded experts to help you throughout your international business expansion.Find out more about global expansion benefits and Centuro Connect here.

Scaling your business from your local market abroad provides a wealth of opportunities. Perhaps most notably is the new market entry advantage. Just because your organisation is operating well in its local market doesn’t mean there isn’t a new opportunity out there that will prove even more successful. Just Eat is one of the most globally recognised takeaway services, with it successfully operating in the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, China, and Spain, to name a few. What many aren’t aware of is that Just Eat's home country is in fact Denmark. One of the key reasons this is little-known is because the company didn’t truly take off as a service until it relocated to the UK in 2006. So, why is it that? This case study explores Just Eat’s global expansion strategy, why it was successful, and how effective business planning turned them into a global household name.New Market Opportunity One of the most notable areas that Just Eat succeeded in during its international expansion was defining and serving the market most relevant to them. Whilst Denmark was providing the company opportunity, Just Eat noted the demand of the UK takeaway market. They were bought out by Bo Bendtsen in 2005, who decided to launch the Just Eat Headquarters in London.To provide context to just how much the UK market could offer, over 50% of Europe’s food delivery industry is based in Britain. Adapting and expanding to serve a well-suited market proved a smart move for the takeaway business. As of 2017, over 70% of the company’s revenue came from the UK alone, despite being located in over a dozen countries worldwide by this time.Connect’s Tip:If you’re looking to expand your business abroad, first try to define "why and where". You may have a dream of moving to a specific country, but if that new country and its market don’t serve your business framework then you should continue to research other alternatives. The perfect opportunity is out there, so be open to all options for you and your business!Further Expansion & Buying PowerWhilst international expansion is a step-by-step process, with success comes the opportunity to further expand your business. This is exactly what Just Eat did, with the Netherlands and Ireland being the next locations for expansion in 2007 and 2008 respectively. By this point, the company was growing rapidly, as well as acquiring multi-million-pound investments with the view of buying out competitors further afield. Within the next 10 years, the company had either expanded to or bought out their market competition in Australia, Canada, and the UK. At the time of writing this article, they are operating in some capacity across 23 different countries.Just Eat is also a partner to other existing businesses in Brazil and Columbia, proving a versatile approach to their international expansion method.Connect’s Tip: Like with Just Eat, a versatile approach to international growth often means more opportunities come your way.Whilst their journey was far from an overnight process, Just Eat assessed every market competitor and approached each new venture with a different expansion strategy. Whether it came down to expanding as their own brand or buying out/partnering with their competition, Just Eat’s varied strategy is what has ultimately helped them become a global market leader. Branding & SponsorshipBranding is something that can easily be lost in the wider picture when expanding your business globally.Whilst your business will already have a brand identity, it’s important to consider what may potentially work even better in other markets. Just Eat has done a great job at not only changing branding, messaging, and logos to keep up with the times, but also tailoring it to their various markets.For example, when acquiring existing takeaway competitors in Australia and Canada, Just Eat chose to maintain the already familiar names of the companies and simply rebranded the logos to the trademark ‘Just Eat logo style’. This means that in Australia Just Eat is known as Menulog and in Canada, Skip The Dishes. Maintaining the corporate identities of companies that the new markets are already familiar with gave Just Eat a valuable head-start when relocating to new countries. You’ll see below the examples of each brand and how they compare.In terms of international sponsorship, this is yet another area in which Just Eat has succeeded. Previously shirt sponsors of English football club Derby and Belgian side Oud-Heverlee Leuven, the company ensured that their brand identity was visible to their target market across various countries. In a similar sponsorship deal, Just Eat also sponsored the 14th and 15th series of the UK X-Factor. Connect’s Tip:If you’re expanding into new markets, it’s important your strategy assesses how your brand will likely be perceived in your new location. Ensure that translations are appropriate and coherent to foreign audiences or clients and that you are appealing to the correct target market from the start.The Just Eat expansion journey has been going for over 14 years now. Relocating and expanding your business is a long process but, as you will have seen, one that provides a great wealth of opportunity when done correctly.Start your expansion journey with your own free downloadable resources! Define your goals, set a timeline, and check them off as you go. See this as the starting point as you get your business expansion underway.For further assistance in your own global expansion journey, the Free Centuro Connect platform is here for you...Centuro Connect - The best New Market Entry PlatformThe Centuro Connect platform has been created as a centralised cluster of resources for entities looking to enter new markets. The Centuro Connect platform has details on tax, immigration, market entry points, HR, marketing, and real estate for 100+ countries. Contactable and reliable experts are also on hand to help you ace your expansion. The entire platform and its contents are completely free to use and have been specifically designed to have a simple sign-up process and easy-to-use features, all whilst does not cost businesses a penny!You can sign up for the Centuro Connect platform for FREE today! There’s no risk, no single hidden cost, and no endless documentation to fill out. Just a wealth of information and like-minded experts to help you in launching your business overseas.

Global expansion into foreign markets is the key growth strategy for most companies around the world. Since the start of the pandemic, understanding the factors that influence where and how to invest in a foreign market has never been more critical.   Where to invest for foreign investors According to the 2021 Kearney FDI Confidence Index (Index), global investors remain cautious following the changes to the world economy in 2020, even as vaccines bring some predictions of global economic growth in 2021.   Caution by investors is reinforced by the continuing high rankings of developed countries with established economies in which foreign investors plan to invest.    For the ninth consecutive year, the US market continues to rank #1 on the Index as the market in which foreign investors surveyed and would expect to invest in the next three years. Canada has ranked #2 in 2020 and 2021, and together with the US, the North American market dominates as the top destination for foreign direct investment FDI.    What are foreign investors seeking in established markets with the lingering uncertainty of the pandemic?    While tax rates remain ranked as the most influential factor in deciding where to make a foreign investment, technology, innovation, and research & development (R&D) follow closely behind. These capabilities are common in most developed countries with established economies. And with the steep acceleration of the digital economy because of the pandemic, they are critical to global expansion for most companies.   The  Index also reflects the caution of foreign investors considering a location for foreign investment. Factors highly ranked or making a significant move up in the 2021 rankings include efficiency of legal processes, a transparent justice system, transparency of regulations, lack of corruption, strong investor protection rights, government incentives, and a business environment of security.   The high-ranking regulatory factors reinforce the desire for safety and stability to accompany the high-tech capabilities. The abundance of both in the U.S. market supports its #1 ranking as the top market to invest in, the world's leading economic power, the largest international financial centre, and the third-largest country in the world in terms of population.   The United States' strong points also include it being the world's largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) with the US government's policies on taxation and regulation offer foreign investors wide freedom.  How to invest for foreign companies When considering foreign investments in the United States of America, government organizations at the federal and state levels have programmes to assist investors in the process of planning and executing an expansion.  These programmes provide a wealth of information, introductions to customers and suppliers, incentives, and other services to foreign companies expanding in their area.   At the federal level, SelectUSA is a US Department of Commerce programme to facilitate foreign investments into the US.  The SelectUSA Investment Summit held annually offers a full agenda and an impressive matchmaking platform for foreign companies to connect with economic developers, government officials, service providers, and each other.  SelectUSA also offers many events and services throughout the year, making it a great place to investigate a foreign investment in the US.   Beyond economic development assistance, foreign investors need access to information about the requirements and costs of doing business in the US. Working together with a network of advisors experienced in early-stage expansion is key to a successful expansion.    There are specific steps for certain foreign investments in the US, for example, establishing a US legal entity and setting it up for operation; working with US advisors in the legal, accounting and tax areas is crucial to starting off right and avoiding costly mistakes or missed opportunities. In country comparison, a US payroll will always be different from an investor’s home country, it’s important to work with a US accountant and payroll provider. They will help you learn and execute the required and customary practices to attract the talent you need, understand the HR-related costs for your business plan and avoid penalties from compliance mistakes.  Other important advisors include those in the immigration, banking, insurance, and talent acquisition space. Ultimately,  it should be a US accountant and tax advisor who will consult on the results from all operational decisions as seen in the books and tax filings for the new US operation. Therefore, be sure to put a US  accountant experienced in foreign direct investment at the top of the list to assist with your US expansion plans. Gather detailed information for your global expansion We have launched a new market entry platform - Centuro Connect, that dives into specifics for each country helping you do your research all in one place.It is completely FREE - no hidden costs - just the ultimate tool for understanding market entry options, HR, Immigration, Legal Requirements, Tax & Accounting for any country, access to our global business network and much more …. with 100 + countries it has the specific information you need from global expansion experts. To learn more about Foreign Direct Investment in the US Our team is made up of business leaders, lawyers, and advisors ready to help you go global with bespoke solutions. Our experience and expertise enable you to establish, connect and scale your business effectively in international markets. With our complete suite of integrated services and a global support network, experience how opportunities turn into possibilities. Get in touch with us today! 

When we think of business expansion, we often associate this type of growth with employing more staff or upgrading to a larger office space. For some, true growth comes from testing your business in new cities, countries, and continents. But how easy is it to expand your business abroad, and where do you even start?Fortunately, Centuro Global has engineered a brand-new and unique platform designed specifically for those looking to expand internationally. It acts as a centralised online resource where you can research, plan and learn more about your expansion journey. It’s a simple setup process, and it's very user-friendly!Here are just a few of the benefits the Centuro Connect platform provides businesses:- A tailored approach to your business expansion needs;- A detailed bank of key facts and statistics for 100+ countries around the world;- Business and industry insights that are location-specific;- Insights into the economy, legal, banking, property, immigration, and more;- A timeline feature that details and tracks each step of your business expansion;- Professional support and industry specialists on hand to aid your journey.WHAT IS CENTURO CONNECT?As with any business that’s scaling up, taking your company abroad isn’t without its challenges. Being able to streamline and visualise the process is invaluable when taking on such a task. Below, we’ve detailed the key areas in which our Centuro Connect platform is designed to make your business expansion journey as simple, streamlined, and stress-free as possible.Bespoke & Tailored To Your BusinessNo matter your business size, type, or industry, the Centuro Connect platform facilitates global expansion to a wealth of countries.When setting up your free login with Centuro Connect, the process begins with answering several easy questions about your company. You don’t need any specific documentation to complete this process, just a good idea of where your company is at currently and what direction you’re looking to take next.With this information, we’re then able to quickly suggest the best course of action. It may be that you’re at a point where one of our expert team members can reach out to you straight away and start discussing your options. If you’re a little earlier on in your global expansion journey, then it will be beneficial to gain some further insight from our online resources.Expanding your business abroad is never a ‘one size fits all' solution. Because of this, we’re always sure to tailor your ongoing plan in a way that suits you. If your circumstances change at any point, you can easily go back and resubmit your information for a more accurate experience.Extensive Country-Specific InsightsThe Centuro Connect platform allows you to choose from over 100 countries. If you already have an idea of what region or specific country you want to relocate or expand to, you can easily choose one from our interactive world map. If you want to browse your options, you can do so in the same way. Simply hover over and select the countries that appeal to you the most to find out more. If you change your mind, simply go back to the map and choose another option.For every country that’s applicable, comes a wealth of information. This ranges from general facts about the location you’ve selected, as far as legal requirements and office solutions. All of this information is accessible on an easy-to-use webpage, with each option coming with a dropdown option, making it extremely easy to navigate.Accurate Time FramingExpanding your business overseas is far from an overnight process. With every detail that goes into successfully setting up abroad, it can be daunting, and even off-putting, when it comes to defining a timescale.Centuro Connect’s extensive insights mean that we can provide you with an estimated timeline for each aspect of your global expansion. In visualising your expansion journey, you can better understand the process from start to finish. You can also define internal deadlines for specific processes and plan your businesses’ future with a much higher degree of certainty.A time frame will appear in a timeline format, which is broken down into months. Each aspect of your businesses’ global expansion will have its own place on the timeline, showing at which stage of your journey it should be completed.Expert SupportGlobal expansion shouldn’t be a lonely process. When working with the Centuro Connect platform, you’re actually working alongside a big team of experts that are contactable at the click of a button.Each country has its own bank of local experts with its own relevant specialisms. These industry specialists have been handpicked and can help you on your journey. You can access the profiles of these experts and contact them easily when you need a helping hand. Specialist areas include immigration, tax, market entry points, HR, and marketing support, just to name a few.The level of depth that the platform goes into means that users have virtually everything they need to know on one page. If you’re looking for an opinion or advice, however, this might be the time to contact a specialist.CONCLUSIONInternational expansion is a challenging process, but we have the technology to make it a streamlined and much simpler journey. You can sign up for the Centuro Connect platform today! There’s no risk and no endless documentation to fill out. Just a wealth of information and like-minded experts to help you throughout your international business expansion.

The technological and innovative sector has been experiencing rapid growth in Portugal. In response to this growth, and in consideration of the need for hiring new and qualified workers, oftentimes nationals of third countries, the Portuguese Government has taken steps to allow greater agility in the granting of residency / authorised residence permit visas for these professionals. These measures have been put in place within the scope of the Tech Visa Programme. Tech Visa has also been adopted in different countries such as France, Greece, Chile, and the United Kingdom. The Tech visa programme, in place since January 1st, 2019, is aimed at companies present in the global market, which have their head office or permanent establishment in Portuguese territory, and who wish to attract professionals to Portugal, from non-EU countries, highly qualified to work in Portugal, through granting, in a more simplified way, visas and residence permits. These professionals are recruited by companies that develop activity in the area of technology and innovation. An important requirement to access this incentive is that these companies are properly certified so that interested parties can obtain the Tech visa. The Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (IAPMEI) has certified 332 1 companies since the beginning of Tech Visa, a programme integrated into the National Entrepreneurship Strategy — StartUP Portugal. Among the more than 300 certified companies, a few names stand out, such as Bosch Car Multimedia Portugal SA; Huawei Tech. Portugal; Mercedes-Benz.IO Portugal; Nestlé Portugal and Siemens, S.A. According to data released by IAPMEI in 2020, certified companies had already issued 1 265 terms of responsibility for highly skilled workers, of which 93% were trained in computer science. These workers, with an average age of 31 years, come mainly from Brazil (1 027), India (86), and, to a lesser degree, from the United States (19). As for geographical distribution, certified companies are concentrated with greater expression in the Lisbon region (158), followed by the North (71) and Centre (25) regions. How to be a certified company To obtain certification, the following requirements must be met:• Be legally incorporated,• Have a head office or permanent establishment in the Portuguese territory,• Have no debts to the Tax Administration or the Social Security,• Have no overdue wages,• Not be a restructuring company,• If the company is more than three years old, own a positive equity,• Develop international tradeable goods or services activity,• Have a positive assessment in respect of business potential,• Be orientated towards foreign markets,• Have identified the technical qualifications in need. For which professionals is it intended? Regarding the target audience of this measure, all professionals who meet the following mandatory requirements for inclusion in the programme are covered:• Be a third-country national and not residing in the EU,• Be fully up to date with fiscal and social obligations (if applicable),• Have no criminal record,• Be 18 years of age or older,• Be proficient in Portuguese, English, French, or Spanish according to the job specifications,• Engage in highly qualified activity demonstrated by meeting one of the following requirements:• Have a minimum level 6 qualification (university degree) according to the ISCED2 — 2011, or• Have the qualification level 5 (technical course) according to ISCED – 2011, plus five years of experience.• Employment contract or promise with a minimum duration of 12 months,• Have a minimum monthly wage equivalent to 2,5 times the social support index3. The process is straightforward. Companies register on the Tech visa platform and submit their application. A decision on the application is communicated within 20 working days. If favourable, they will be included in the list of certified companies available for consultation. This certification is valid for a period of two years and maybe renewed if the company so wishes. Certified companies may then issue electronic terms of responsibility valid for six months. This whole process is done online at the www.iapmei.pt/techvisa. Upon receiving the term of responsibility issued by the company, the workers present it to the consular services or the foreign and borders service to facilitate and speed up the process of obtaining the visa or residence permit. Should you require more information or need help with applications for the Tech Visa, don’t hesitate and send us an e-mail. We can help you Incorporate, Move and Fund your business in Portugal!1 Data released by IAPMEI on 04/12/2021 2 ISCED - International Standard Classification of Education 3 Social support index in 2021 = 438.81€Minimum monthly salary in 2021 = 438.81 * 2.5 = 1,097€

Most countries wish to attract highly qualified workers able to satisfy the demands of companies within their borders. The European Union is not an exception to this rule and wishes to appeal to workers from third-party countries (including the United Kingdom) by creating the EU Blue Card permit.Moreover, travel restrictions due to the COVID pandemic do not seem to affect this type of visa holder from entering the EU, as long as the sanitary measures have been respected.Requirements for the EU Blue CardThe European Council Directive of 25 May 2009, aimed to facilitate the rights of highly qualified migrants to entry, stay, and employment lists the following requirements:Proof that the employee has a high level of education or professional qualifications, either            in the form of a university degree or pertinent professional experience;  Benefits from an employment contract for one year or more with the host            country, member of the European Union; andBenefits from a minimum annual gross salary stipulated by the host country.This type of permit is designed to “simplify” immigration processes, for both the professionals and their family members (the spouse is usually also permitted to be employed in the host country). Although this permit is mostly adapted to stable employment over a long-term, workers may change companies if the above requirements are still met. Long stay or even permanent employment is possible for EU Blue Card permit holders.Mobility implications for EU Blue Card Holders It should be noted that certain European countries have not transposed this permit into their internal legal systems, Britain being one of them before leaving the EU.Mobility between EU member states for holders of the EU Blue CardThe aforementioned European Blue Card Directive provides that holders of the EU Blue Card and their families can transfer to other member states to take up employment of a similarly high-skilled position, but only after having worked for 18 months in their initial host country. The Blue Card Directive decree states that workers should apply for a new European Blue Card in their new host country within one month of arrival. This has the advantage that no new visa application is most of the time necessary to enter the new host country.As the EU is not one nation, EU  member states are free to stipulate certain criteria, in particular the salary threshold for obtaining an EU Blue Card.The discrepancies between countries are great (i.e. 71 946 Euro in Luxembourg,  53 836 Euro in France, 53600 Euro in Germany, 33 808 Euro in Spain, 24 789 Euro in Italy, etc.).Sources: European Commission and VisaGuide.world. Issues that may arise from EU Blue Card eligibilityEven when the salary amounts are respected, other difficulties may arise when an EU Blue Card holder transfers to a new host country within the European Union. For example, they may only have temporary accommodation during their first month, which may not be accepted by the authorities delivering the new EU Blue Card or the blue card application may take several months to produce, during which the applicants have no documentation authorising them to work in the new country, which is incompatible with judicial security.ConclusionIt is clear that some effort is still needed to streamline inter-member state mobility for EU Blue Card holders within the EU. Companies have a role to play in lobbying for more flexibility in the field so that the idea behind the EU Blue Card Directive becomes easier to apply.For more information on the EU Blue Card and all types of work permits and visas, contact us to speak to a member of our immigration team directly.

What are the options for British nationals post-Brexit in Germany? As per the Withdrawal Agreement aka Brexit Deal, all British citizens after January 1st, 2021 who are not in possession of a Residence Permit in Germany can enter Germany only for a maximum of 90 days within the 180-day period. These short stays are meant only for a purpose of travel or business trips. No other economic activities are permitted. If however British citizens are willing to relocate to Germany for work purposes or residency, they are in need of a residence permit that might be applied for directly from Germany or through a German consulate abroad. In case the latter option is preferred, a D-type visa for long-term residency is required. Demand for entry visas is high post-Brexit and pre-approval must usually be obtained from the Employment Agency in Germany prior to applying for the entry visa at the Embassy. Candidates must meet various criteria and provide substantiating documents. The rules outlined by the Federal Republic of Germany state that acceptance for foreign nationals in general employment depends on Germany’s economic needs. Both a vocational qualification and a detailed offer of employment are required. British citizens can also make the most of the Skilled Immigration Act, which came into force in March 2020 and simplifies the immigration procedure for specialists that are in short supply in Germany. These include mathematicians, scientists, engineers, doctors, as well as many other vocations where demand exceeds supply. Are there any compliance risks that companies need to consider? It is of key importance that companies are well informed of various compliance issues and keep them in mind at all times. One common issue results from the fact that UK and US citizens amongst several other nationalities that are considered best friends to Germany are allowed to enter Germany and then apply for a residence or work permit from within Germany. While this is the case, these citizens are not permitted to commence work until the permit has been issued. Some companies may not be aware that it is not permissible to start work immediately after application. The employer has to wait until the employee actually receives their respective permit or visa before starting work. Intra-company transfers can also present compliance risks for companies. For one thing, it is critical that the visa is applied for before the transferee moves to Germany. This even applies to those countries that are usually given preferential treatment, such as the UK and the US amongst others. For intra-company transfers, it is also important that the branch in Germany belongs to the same company or group of companies as the branch where the employee is coming from. Additionally, the employee needs to be employed by the entity abroad at least six months prior to the assignment to Germany. Are you aware of any legal changes to immigration rules and policies that might benefit people? On March 1st, 2020, a new immigration law came into force in Germany, simplifying the procedure for people coming from outside the EU to work in Germany. This Skilled Immigration Act evolved as a result of a lack of qualified candidates such as engineers and nurses, and opened the labour market, meaning that visas that were previously reserved for EU members are now available for employees from outside the EU with recognised vocational training. It has also made searching for employment easier, as potential applicants can live in Germany for up to six months while searching, as long as they have the necessary professional qualifications, basic knowledge of German, and a secure livelihood.  The visa procedure has also been simplified, with easy communication between local immigration authorities and employers, considerably speeding up the entire process. This new immigration law ensures that persons who have obtained a German university degree or vocational training in Germany have the possibility of permanent residence after two years as well as the possibility of residence after four years for qualified workers with a foreign degree. Furthermore, there are some special deals for British citizens. For one, there are special arrangements that make it easier for British citizens to live in Germany post Brexit. The United Kingdom is also given special privileges along with some other countries including the United States, Israel, South Korea, Canada, and Japan. These privileges include the option of moving to Germany for residence purposes without having to obtain an entry immigrant visa. Citizens from these countries also profit from the fact that priority is no longer given to EU member countries when it comes to approving positions. Each of these rules can benefit people in the immigration process. How does the EU card benefit people - can they work in other countries if they have a German EU card? “Labour migration into Europe boosts our competitiveness and therefore our economic growth. It also helps tackle demographic problems resulting from our aging population.” José Manuel Barroso, who served as European Commission President between 2004 and 2014, explains the motivation behind the EU Blue Card scheme. The EU Blue Card enables highly qualified residents of non-EU countries to work in Germany. It must be applied for before entering Germany and requires both a high level of education or professional experience and an employment contract or a binding offer of employment. There is a minimum earning threshold, which is lowered for jobs for which there is a shortage of workers, such as doctors, scientists, and mathematicians. The EU Blue Card not only provides a path towards permanent residence and EU citizenship, its benefits also include working and salary conditions equal to nationals, access to certain rights such as unemployment benefits, good prospects for family reunifications, and free movement within the Schengen area (unless issued in Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus or Croatia). Those who hold an EU Blue Card have the right to move to another EU country after having lived in Germany for 18 months. This is almost always possible without having to apply for an additional visa. However, in order to be able to work, you still need to apply for a work permit in this country. The difference is that this can be applied directly from the new country rather than through an embassy or a consulate. In some cases, the path to the work permit is also easier, but it is still necessary to get this permit!For more information on incorporating into Germany, we have launched a new platform - Centuro Connect, that dives into blueprint specifics helping you do your research all in one place! It is completely FREE - no hidden costs - just the ultimate tool for understanding market entry options, HR, Immigration, Legal Requirements, Tax & Accounting, and much more.Take a look at the platform here!