A Public Limited Company differs from the much more common Private Limited Company primarily in that it can offer its shares (stocks) to the public, although many PLCs are effectively privately owned until they become listed on the Mount Vema Stock Exchange. There is no obligation for a PLC to offer its shares (stocks) to the public nor indeed to become a listed company. It is also possible to convert a Private Company to a Public Company and vice versa. Many companies that have become listed PLCs started life as Private Limited Companies.
Key Points:
A PLC is the only type of company that can offer its shares to the public
Can be listed on the Stock Exchange
Can undertake any nature of business
Can operate anywhere in the world
Shareholders have limited liability
Can be incorporated in most circumstances within days
Own choice of name
High initial capital commitment
Special Conditions:
A PLC must have a minimum issued capital of ₲50,000 golles
At least 25% (₲12,500 golles) of this minimum must be fully paid up before the Registrar of Companies can issue a Certificate for Commencement of Trading. This Certificate must be issued before the company commences any business transactions.
A PLC must have at least two directors
A PLC must have a Company Secretary who has the necessary professional qualification
Choosing a Company Name You can use virtually any name for a new company as long as it is not exactly the same as or very similar to the that of another registered name. Some words such as “International”, “Holdings” and “Group” are designated as sensitive names and there are rules governing their use in a company name. There are also rules that prevent a company using a name that is too similar or considered the "same as" another company name without proper consent. For example you cannot now add an initial to the end of a company name to differentiate it from a similar name. There are specific and expansive rules on these issues, and you can read more about this in our pages on choosing a company name.
