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12 Dec 2000, UK

Dr. Ecommerce:

Is there such an entity as a community company now and can I set one up?

Karen

Dear Karen:

The folks at the Enterprise Directorate General set up the "European Economic Interest Grouping" (EEIG) back in 1985 and this is essentially a legal entity at the European level. However, it must be comprised of legal entities, rather than natural persons. The notion is more one of facilitating co-operation between companies in different member states, rather than simply setting up a company.

From the fact that it was impossible to find anything about EEIGs from the menus on the Enterprise DG web pages, I suspect they have lost interest in this concept. However, if you want more information, you can email the DG via info-entreprises@cec.eu.int.

Personally, I think we need to solidify better legal frameworks across Europe, particularly with respect to business law and VAT, before we'll have a true European level company.

All the best,

Dr. Ecommerce