The company's purpose is to acquire, sell, hold and manage participations abroad. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries abroad and conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. The company may acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate abroad. It is not authorized to acquire real estate in Switzerland. The company may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as enter into security transactions, including guarantees, pledges, global assignments, security transfers and indemnification agreements, for affiliated companies and third parties, even if these are in their exclusive interest.