provision of commercial and technical advice, as well as software products to raw materials trading companies and associated companies throughout Europe. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland or abroad. It may acquire, hold and dispose of real estate in Switzerland for exclusively commercial use. The company may acquire, hold and dispose of interests or participations in any company, business, activity or association without distinction, whether by intervention or otherwise, both in Switzerland and abroad, the company may hold a participation in a real estate company in Switzerland if [(i) the shares of the latter are listed on a stock exchange in Switzerland or if (ii)] the real estate company has the purpose of acquiring real estate for exclusively commercial use. It may manage, improve and dispose of these interests or participations and participate in the management, direction, control or liquidation of all companies, businesses, activities or associations in which the company has an interest or participation. The company may acquire, operate, use and exercise all intellectual property rights, trademarks, models and/or designs, in any manner whatsoever. It may provide financial assistance, including loans, advances, guarantees or securities of all kinds, to its subsidiaries, sister companies, parent company or any other affiliated company. The company may also grant loans, advances, guarantees or securities of all kinds to third parties. Furthermore, it may carry out all operations that are directly or indirectly related to its purpose and that promote or facilitate its development.