We have access to detailed market knowledge gained from decades of operating in various African countries. As such, Pacific Counsel is uniquely positioned to assess geopolitical, market and security risks and provide detailed reporting on these. Obtaining reliable information from local sources is integral to our risk analysis process. In addition, we can provide detailed risk management strategies particularly around the area of security assessments and reviews. First understanding and quantifying the financial impacts of risk management is imperative to evaluating the commercial feasibility of operating in any African market. 

We help you to understand the global opportunities for your company by analyzing the competitive landscape in the markets you are considering entering. Our market intelligence services ensure that you answer the following important questions:

• What is the size of the market opportunity?
• How is the market currently being serviced and what are the service levels like?
• How is the market segmented?
• Who are your competitors in the market likely to be?
• What are the relevant price points of comparable products or services?
• Will your business model, product/service, expertise and competitive advantage translate in the new market?

We can perform a full feasibility analysis to help you assess whether your proposed business operations are viable in the particular offshore market. This contextualizes the market intelligence using real financial data and scenario modeling. The analysis also considers critical aspects of your competitive advantage and how this will shield you from the competition, enable you to sustain a price or cost advantage and build barriers to entry for others. If the initial data indicates that market entry is feasible, then this lays the groundwork for a deeper market analysis and the development of your strategic market entry plan. We view this as the minimum data you need to make an educated assessment before investing significant funds in any offshore venture.

This expands on the market intelligence already used to determine general feasibility to build a comprehensive evaluation of how your business will plan for a successful market entry. We help you analyze competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, identify and understand the factors most critical to customer uptake and help you develop a strategy to differentiate your business from the existing competition in the offshore marketplace. We can provide a full financial analysis to ensure you make important business decisions with the benefit of relevant market and financial information. In addition, we can also assist with planning all of the practical elements of a market entry, such as identifying appropriate office or manufacturing locations, sourcing staff and attending to the litany of logistical requirements necessary to operate effectively in any foreign market.

With the benefit of the above market intelligence and financial understanding, we then identify prospective clients, and actively generate leads, identify key decision makers, and engage with them to explain why they should use your company. We can then introduce you to the decision makers in companies that are interested in your services and even assist with the negotiation process.

If your strategy involves acquiring an existing business offshore, we can assist you with finding a business that suits your strategic objectives and budget. We provide access to high quality businesses through our extensive international network of accountants, lawyers, bankers and other professionals. This provides knowledge of the history of the business and assists with verifying some of the important due diligence requirements. We can also independently value the business to help you establish that it is competitively priced. Once you decide to proceed, we are available to assist with the deal making, negotiation, finance and legal documentation of the transaction.

Many countries have complex licensing requirements for certain businesses. We will help you navigate the licensing requirements for your business and plan appropriately. There are significant financial, estate planning and tax benefits to getting the corporate structuring right from the outset. We can help plan the appropriate corporate structure, register the entities, open bank accounts etc. and get you ready to start doing business.

We have the capability to conduct or oversee a full due diligence of any business being acquired or sold. Our due diligence process uses methodologies that are relevant to the unique challenges posed by the particular marketplace and specific industry. For example, the due diligence requirements when purchasing a resources business in Zambia are very different to the requirements when acquiring an equity share of a manufacturing business in China. For any due diligence to be useful in identifying risks and potential problems, it must be tailored to the specific market. Pacific Counsel has access to an extensive network of professionals across its regions of operation that can assist with ensuring any due diligence takes account of the specific market conditions. In addition, if you are selling your business then proactive due diligence planning can reduce the perceived risk of acquisition and thereby help you to command a higher purchase price.

Foreign tax systems are complex and daunting to the uninitiated. How you invest and the corporate structures you use have important taxation implications, nowhere is this more apparent than in the US. All of this normally needs to be considered well before you move substantial funds offshore, once done it cannot be undone. We help ensure you get appropriate tax advice from reliable local professionals with specific expertise in this area.

We have in house legal counsel as well as external solicitors and barristers available to oversee the various agreements entered into when setting up or acquiring a new business. In addition we have deal makers with international Merger and Acquisition experience who can negotiate on your behalf, or simply provide a sounding board and strategic advice during the negotiation process. Our professionals can provide audits of all important existing agreements entered into by a company being acquired, and full reviews of regulatory compliance. Both of these processes may be key to managing the risks associated with acquisition and should form an integral part of any thorough due diligence.   

We have in house international experience and an excellent knowledge of the venture capital market, as well as established relationships with experienced financial services providers to assist with advising on all elements of the financing of your business operations.

If your product or service is suitable for an explorative market entry, Pacific Counsel can assist you to set up initial operations offshore. This provides prospective businesses with a local address, key services such as telephone reception, financial management and a local base. You can leverage our presence to provide the image of critical mass for your new business. We can also provide recruitment services and even pre screen staff on your behalf.

Various incentives and programs exist to attract foreign investors to specific states or economic zones. These often provide direct financial incentives and other support to qualifying businesses. Our staff members and consultants have an excellent record of accessing grant funding in a variety of jurisdictions.

We are well experienced in technology commercialization and can provide access to the requisite local expert advice on intellectual property protection, licensing, acquisition and disposal that is relevant to the market you are operating in. Critically, the recognition and respect of intellectual property rights varies significantly across jurisdictions and so do the protective remedies. We can help you to identify the relevant IP risks, establish mitigation strategies and assist with policing and enforcement if this is required. 

We can advise on import and export laws, developing an import/export plan, including assessment of customs and quarantine requirements for a variety of markets.

Public indemnity insurance is an imperative for most businesses operating in the US or Europe; along with various other insurances relevant to conducting business there. We offer a network of trusted financial planners to assist you with implementing the risk management appropriate to the relevant industry and market. For example an Australian resources company sending staff to establish operations in a potentially volatile African market has very different needs (and obligations) to a manufacturing company sending staff to open an office in the US. We can provide access to experienced insurance experts accustomed to working in these international markets.