Headquarters Company

A company which exclusively services its affiliate companies through managing or administering activities. Unlike offshore holding companies, it does not buy or sell products and does not involve itself in financial activities. In some countries the headquarters company may be either an incorporated company of the host country or a branch of an international company.

Holding Company

The activity of holding company is limited to holding and managing investments or property but not having ordinary commercial or trading activities. The requirements for a company for attaining the status of holding vary in different countries.