Local regulations and your project
During an international expansion, it is important to learn about business customs.
The law explicitly prohibits certain behaviors. However, in every countries there are rules which correspond to the informal legislation.
In some countries or territories, informal organization charts or socio-charts, unwritten rules and social practices (tribal laws, specific codes of conducts…) are more important than the law itself for conducting business.
Sometimes, official titles, even very senior such as State Minister, can be less importants than those of an apparent more junior individual but from a powerful tribe or family.
At ABI we understand the roots of the applicable laws in numerous territories and jurisdictions worldwide.
Ignoring the law is not enough to protect itself, indeed “deliberate ignorance” or “willful blindness” may be held against a person or an organization.
Applicable law vs informal law
Due diligence processes are used to validate the compliance of conduct to a standard, be it compulsory or just a recommendation.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) created new needs, today most companies are looking to initiate or manage socially responsible investments or actions.
The implementation by a company of a CSR standard improves dramatically its brand image with its customers and the public opinion, increasingly focused on human rights and environmental issues.
The duty of care, motivates, for example, wealth management companies to pay attention of sourcing the nature of assets and management methods.