On a world-wide basis, there is a general perception that the U.S. is the most consistent, robust and stable business climate in the world. Countless success stories continue to underline the belief that opportunities in the U.S. for competitive, innovative, and cost-effective products and services are widely available. It is extremely common that companies based outside the U.S. seek to (i) sell their goods or services, (ii) find and establish a partner company or joint venture partner, (iii) set up a company or office, (iv) establish manufacturing, assembly, research and development, or procurement operations, and/or (v) find investors seeking to invest in a project or initiative, inside the U.S. The foregoing are typical - but by no means the only - examples of inbound international business activities and investments.
RKF has worked extensively with companies throughout the world to successfully enter into the U.S. market, as well as to sustain operations and attain profitability. These activities have led to significant job creation, providing economic benefits for both the foreign market participant and the U.S. economy – a fact for which we feel grateful. Throughout these experiences, RKF has developed a targeted client experience and knowledge base in relation to the needs of companies and investors from emerging markets and developing countries and regions.
How to Establish a Business Presence in the U.S.
More often than not, initial inbound activities include first-level sales and distribution of existing foreign products or services. Foreign manufacturers, distributors and/or sales entities seek to initiate or develop U.S. sales of their offerings, and will visit the U.S. to gain a first-hand understanding of the market, market opportunities and current competition. At this stage, RKF routinely assists clients in obtaining preliminary market intelligence, immigration and visa approval, and/or the location of temporary offices, sales agents and/or U.S.-based representation. In cases where the foreign-based client is seeking procurement/buying opportunities from supply-chain companies in the U.S., RKF assists with negotiations, financing and performance of purchase or procurement agreements on behalf of the overseas client.
Setting Up U.S. Manufacturing, Assembly and Supply Chain Activities
As to inbound manufacturing, assembly and supply chain business activities, RKF Global has assisted numerous foreign based companies to locate and qualify strategic places to manufacture, assemble and procure, and has assisted foreign clients (in setting up new businesses) to obtain incentive packages including grants, tax reductions and employee based tax credits. Tangentially, we have helped clients establish high-level government relationships relating to regulatory compliance and the provision of guidance for arriving overseas companies. In providing a platform for success, we have assisted foreign domiciled companies in establishing business relationships with influential U.S. companies, helped overseas companies to develop new opportunities with high-level strategic partners, as well as achieving compliance through establishing relationships with key business and government officials.
How to Handle U.S. Business Related Immigration & Obtain Visas
Whenever a company moves its goods, property or capital across an international border, often it will likewise seek to dispatch its personnel across the border to manage its assets. Applicable immigration regulations in the U.S. however, are some of the more stringent and difficult set of rules in the world. In this regard, RKF works closely with foreign companies to develop an immigration strategy and navigate through complex immigration issues, so as to assist clients in bringing key company officials to live and work in the U.S.
International Business: Cost Effective or Cost Prohibitive?
For many years, the cost of doing international business was high and cost-prohibitive for small and mid-sized companies and entrepreneurs, which limited the opportunities to only the larger and heavily funded companies. With advances in telecommunications, computing, internet and digital technologies, however, the financial barriers to enter the world markets have all but been removed. As a result - and for the first time in history – individual entrepreneurs, and small and mid-sized businesses can affordably sell products or services in a foreign market, and establish themselves in overseas markets.Although most people would quickly associate importing with distributors of foreign consumer products, much importation activity relates to components and supply-chain parts imported to be integrated or assembled into the manufacturing processes of U.S. goods. Once imported components are integrated into an U.S. product, it may well be exported throughout the world as a U.S. product. As the integration of components and international supply-chain networks work in both inbound and outbound directions, exporting and importing activities often go “hand-in-hand”.
RKF has developed a targeted client experience and knowledge base as to companies and investors from emerging markets & developing countries and regions.
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