San Marino formally opened its doors to the international community in the mid-Seventies, first of all by taking part in the proceedings of the non-aligned Countries of the OSCE and then, in 1988, by becoming a member of the Council of Europe.
In 1992 San Marino joined the UNO. What is more, since that same year, it is the only small European country to be a member of the International Monetary Fund and, since 2000, of the World Bank.
Currently, the Republic of San Marino has diplomatic and consular relations with over one hundred European and non-European Countries.
San Marino is a member of numerous International Organizations, including:
- the United Nations Organization (UNO) and many of its Programs
- Specialized Funds and Agencies such as the United National Organization for Education
- Science and Culture (UNESCO)
- the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
- the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- the International Labour Organization (ILO)
- the World Health Organization (WHO)
- the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
- the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
- The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Since 2006, it has also been a member of the International Police Organization (INTERPOL).
The Republic has also had official relations with the European Union since 1983 (for more details refer to the special “San Marino and the European Union”, section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
It takes part, with a council delegation in the:
- Inter-Parliamentary Union
- Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
More details: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
San Marino’s opening up to the outside world is also underscored by the country’s strong promotional polices in favour of the corporate world. There are many and highly tangible benefits to doing business in the Republic: a General Income Tax rate of 8.5% for the first six years of company operation, and then an ordinary Income tax rate of 17% and a reduction of the tax base for companies which increase their average number of employees are just two of the benefits of setting up of a new company in the country.
Doing business in San Marino
More details: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chamber of Commerce