Globalisation of Indian Enterprises Abroad | Shift by MLegal
Globalisation of Indian Enterprises Abroad
India is no longer just a destination for inbound investment — it's a powerful launchpad for global expansion. With Indian companies increasingly setting their sights on international markets, the need for compliant, strategic outbound investment planning has never been greater.
At Shift by MLegal, we work with Indian businesses, family-owned enterprises, startups, and conglomerates to structure their globalisation journey smartly and strategically, ensuring tax efficiency, regulatory compliance, and sustainable international presence.
From incorporating overseas subsidiaries to acquiring foreign companies or setting up global holding structures — we enable India-to-World success stories.
Challenges of Going Global from India
Expanding abroad from India involves navigating:
- Outbound investment regulations under FEMA (ODI guidelines)
- Transfer pricing and base erosion risks
- Double taxation avoidance agreements (DTAAs)
- Exchange control regulations (remittances, loans, guarantees)
- Compliance with OECD substance and GAAR rules
- Jurisdiction-specific company law, employment, and tax structures
Without professional guidance, international expansion can result in penalties, blocked capital, or reputational risk.
Our Services for Indian Enterprises Expanding Abroad
| Strategic Area | Support Offered |
|---|---|
| FEMA ODI Structuring | Route selection (automatic vs approval), equity/debt structuring, valuation compliance |
| Jurisdiction Selection | Evaluating UAE, Singapore, UK, US, Malta, Netherlands, Mauritius, etc. |
| Holding Company Strategy | Creating global IP or investment hubs with substance compliance |
| Cross-Border Tax Advisory | Treaty planning, dividend repatriation, royalty structuring |
| International JV/Acquisition Setup | M&A support, due diligence, SPV structuring, cross-border contracts |
| Banking & FX Advisory | Remittance structures, ECB/guarantee advisory, foreign currency account setup |
| Legal & Corporate Compliance | Overseas incorporation, ROC/RBI/MCA filing in India, tax registrations abroad |
Jurisdictions We Recommend for Indian Businesses
| Jurisdiction | Strategic Benefit |
|---|---|
| UAE | Zero corporate tax (in Free Zones), gateway to GCC and Africa |
| Singapore | IP-friendly, double tax relief, reputation for compliance |
| UK | Access to global capital, IP laws, holding company structures |
| Malta | EU access with beneficial IP and residency regimes |
| USA | Tech, M&A, and e-commerce scalability |
| Mauritius | Treaty benefits, platform for Africa expansion |
Who We Help
- MSMEs setting up export subsidiaries or warehouses abroad
- Tech Startups planning global product rollouts or flipping to international investors
- Family Businesses diversifying into hospitality, manufacturing, real estate overseas
- Listed Companies acquiring foreign targets or listing on overseas exchanges
- Angel/VC-backed firms looking for a clean cap table flip for funding
Case Studies
| Client Type | Regions Involved | Structure Advised |
|---|---|---|
| Tech SaaS Startup | India ↔ Singapore | Singapore holding company with IP transfer from India |
| Jewellery Exporter | India ↔ UAE ↔ Europe | UAE Free Zone company for EU trade; Indian entity as manufacturer |
| Manufacturing Group | India ↔ US ↔ Mexico | US Delaware subsidiary for North America market expansion |
| Agro Business | India ↔ Africa ↔ UK | Mauritius SPV for African operations with UK buyer JV |
Key Regulatory Frameworks in India
- FEMA – Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) Regulations
- Income Tax Act – Section 9, 90, 92 (Transfer Pricing, GAAR)
- RBI Master Circulars and Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)
- SEBI Guidelines for listed companies and cross-border listing
- OECD/G20 BEPS and Pillar II (Global Minimum Tax) considerations
The Shift by MLegal Advantage
- Deep knowledge of India’s outbound investment framework
- Advisory across UAE, UK, US, EU, Singapore, and more
- Multidisciplinary team: lawyers, tax professionals, RBI consultants
- End-to-end solution — from entity setup to repatriation strategy
- Trusted advisors for cross-border business families and institutional investors
Ready to Go Global?
Your business deserves more than survival — it deserves to thrive internationally. Let Shift by MLegal guide you from India to the world with smart globalisation, solid structures, and secure compliance.