The purpose of the Company is: to acquire, hold, manage and sell direct or indirect participations in companies or businesses mainly abroad, particularly in commercial, industrial or financial companies and businesses (excluding operations prohibited by the LFAIE); to trade and distribute the products of the group companies, develop relationships with customers and provide technical assistance, including product development and production planning, to customers and group companies worldwide, either directly or through group subsidiaries; to carry out research and development activities in the fields of minerals, logistics and energy; to finance group companies and businesses and provide commercial, financial, administrative and legal services to other group companies and businesses in Switzerland or abroad; to grant guarantees or securities, create pledges or any other type of security or guarantee in favor of its direct or indirect shareholders, its direct or indirect subsidiaries, other companies whose shareholders or subsidiaries hold shares, or in favor of any third parties, with or without remuneration. The Company may carry out all activities that may be related to or promoting its purpose, including managing and holding rights to patents, trademarks of all kinds, know-how and all other intellectual property rights, buying, holding and selling real estate for its own account or for that of other group companies and businesses, excluding operations subject to the Federal Law on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreigners. The Company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad. It may also participate in other businesses in Switzerland and abroad and carry out all activities directly or indirectly related to its purpose.