A memorandum of association is a document that outlines the basic details of a company, such as its name, its registered office address, and the nature of its business. It also states the company's objectives, which can include inviting the public to buy its shares. This document is important because it sets out the company's relationship with the public and sets the framework for how the company will operate and be governed. In other words, it lays out the basic rules for how the company will conduct its affairs and interact with others.