An example of a location decision

Worked example. A trader in refined petroleum products, established in Geneva with 80 employees, is considering in 2026 whether to open an office in Dubai for its activities in the Middle East and East Africa. The Dubai office would employ 15 people, including 5 traders transferred from Geneva, at an annual cost of USD 6 million. The tax saving on the profits booked in Dubai, estimated at USD 2 million a year, would be reduced by the supplementary tax if the group exceeded the threshold for minimum taxation, which is not the case. The trader’s Geneva banks agree to finance the flows of the Dubai office on condition that the contracts, compliance and management remain in Geneva, and the credit insurer requires the same guarantees. The trader opens the office, keeps 70 employees, its management, its financing and its compliance in Geneva, and gains proximity to its Gulf clients. The transaction illustrates the diversification described in this chapter: Dubai gains traders, Geneva keeps the centre.

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of September 2025.

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Dr Alexander Ressos, TEP

Rechtsanwalt/Attorney-at-Law

I am a Swiss attorney-at-law and also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England & Wales, with almost 25 years of experience.

Together with my multilingual team, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian and French native speakers, I advise companies and their owners from around the world on the full range of banking, corporate, commercial and tax law matters in Switzerland, including international tax planning, fiduciary services, and legal family office services including immigration & relocation or real estate investments. My practice has a particular focus on clients from growth and frontier markets in Greater China, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and I equally advise clients from Europe and North America. Through an affiliated Swiss trust company, we also take care of the incorporation and ongoing administration of their companies and other structures, including accounting, tax returns and corporate secretarial services, and I serve as a professional director where required. With the support of a network of first-class cooperation partners, I also implement solutions worldwide.

My approach is to act as a trusted advisor who works directly with decision-makers, on an equal footing: I start from what you want to achieve and shape every structure, contract and tax decision around your commercial goals and how it improves your after-tax return. As “lawyers who make it happen”, my team and I stay involved until your company is set up, your structure is in place and your transaction has closed, and we remain available for any follow-on work that may be required. You benefit from bespoke solutions and personal attention, and sound, friendly and practical advice. We are not the lowest-cost provider in the market, nor do we intend to be; our aim is to deliver well-founded, proper solutions and excellent value for money.

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