As 2024 comes to a close, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our customers, partners, and team members for your incredible support, loyalty, and hard work throughout the year. You inspire us to keep innovating and driving the registry world forward.
The holiday season is a time to relax, recharge, and reflect—and also to have a little fun! 🎯 If you haven’t yet, don’t miss out on our Fun Registry Knowledge Quiz. It's the perfect way to test your knowledge and learn some fascinating facts about the registry world.
👉 Take the quiz here and find out how well you know registries!
Spoiler Alert 🚨: Below are the answers to the quiz—so stop reading now if you still want to give it a go!
10+1 Fascinating Registry Facts
1️⃣ Northernmost Business Registry:
Brønnøysund Register Centre, Norway
Norway extends far into the Arctic Circle, making it one of the northernmost countries with a developed economy and business infrastructure. The Brønnøysund Register Centre is a government body under the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry, responsible for managing several national computerized registers. While other Nordic countries like Iceland, Sweden, and Finland also have business registries, Norway’s registry is the northernmost due to the country’s extensive northern territory.
2️⃣ Southernmost Business Registry:
New Zealand Companies Office
New Zealand extends further south than other countries with well-established business registries, reaching approximately 47 degrees south latitude. The New Zealand Companies Register is maintained by the New Zealand Companies Office, providing a comprehensive system for registering and managing company information. While territories further south like Antarctica may have some form of business registration, they lack independent, fully-fledged business registry systems.
https://companies-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/
3️⃣ Global Identifier Turning 10 in 2024:
Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF)
Founded in 2014, GLEIF’s mission is to reinstate trust and transparency in global financial transactions. Over the past decade, it has empowered businesses worldwide with innovative solutions for financial integrity.
4️⃣ Number of Registered Companies in China (2023):
184 million
As of 2023, there were approximately 184 million market entities registered in China, including 58.3 million enterprises. This represents a significant increase from previous years. For instance:
- In 2016, there were about 77.5 million registered companies.
- By 2021, the number grew to around 100.24 million.
China’s rapid economic development has driven this exponential growth.
5️⃣ U.S. State with Most Incorporations Per Capita (2024):
Wyoming
Wyoming surpassed Delaware for per capita incorporations in 2024. Its business-friendly environment and regulatory advantages make it an attractive choice for entrepreneurs and businesses alike.
6️⃣ Oldest Continuously Operating Company’s Country:
Japan
Japan is home to Kongo Gumi, established in 578 AD. This construction company specializes in Buddhist temples and has operated continuously for over 1,400 years, exemplifying remarkable legacy and craftsmanship.
Japan is home to 33,000+ businesses that are over 100 years old. Its culture is deeply rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and family succession, which ensures the longevity of these enterprises. Their ability to evolve while honouring their legacy is a testament to their remarkable survival. In fact, many of the world's oldest companies are still in operation today because of these qualities. 🏯
Now, let's explore 10 of the world's oldest companies – each one a remarkable story of resilience and history. Swipe through our carousel to learn more! ➡️
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fostermoore_10-oldest-companies-in-the-world-activity-7238607025142743040-DDx9
7️⃣ Oldest Company on New Zealand Register:
1881 - Trustees Executors Limited
Incorporated in 1881, Trustees Executors Limited is the oldest continuously registered company on the New Zealand Companies Register, marking a historic milestone in the country’s registry system.
https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/142877
8️⃣ Newest Registry Organization:
Alliance Francophone des Registres du Commerce (AFREC)
Founded in November 2022, AFREC is the latest addition to the global registry community, promoting collaboration among French-speaking business registries.
- IACA (1978)
- CRF (2003)
- ASORLAC (2010)
- EBRA (2019, with its precursor founded in 2000).
https://www.registre-afrec.org/
9️⃣ IACA Conference edition:
The 48th Annual International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA) conference will be held from May 18–21, 2025, in Manchester, New Hampshire, bringing together registry professionals from around the globe.
https://www.iaca.org/conference-2025/
🔟 2025 Corporate Registers Forum Location:
Tunisia
The CRF conference will take place in Tunisia in October 2025. This follows the 2024 event in Doha, Qatar, and the 2025 EBRA conference in Milan, Italy, in June.
https://www.corporateregistersforum.org/
BONUS: First Country to Register Companies Online:
New Zealand (1998)
In 1998, New Zealand made history by becoming the first country in the world to offer online company registration, marking a groundbreaking moment in digital transformation. This milestone revolutionized how businesses interact with government services, providing a faster, more efficient, and more accessible way to register companies.
This achievement not only positioned New Zealand as a leader in digital government services but also paved the way for similar advancements around the world. By introducing online company registration, New Zealand demonstrated the power of technology in simplifying processes, reducing barriers, and fostering economic growth. It was a clear statement of how digital transformation can enhance accessibility and efficiency, a vision that Foster Moore continues to champion today.
This milestone remains a cornerstone of Foster Moore’s legacy and reinforces our commitment to empowering governments and organizations with intelligent, future-focused registry solutions. 🚀
https://www.fostermoore.com/about-foster-moore
Thank you again for being part of the Foster Moore journey. We’re thrilled for what 2025 holds and look forward to continuing to innovate and grow with you.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year! 🎉