Because your company already has considerable experience in working remotely in another territory, of course they didn't need any help. Or potentially, they were already contracting a firm for local bureaucratic matters.
> Plus it was never mentioned what these "local partners" get in return
Money? They could sell these bureaucratic services at a markup, where they have experience with the paperwork etc. part of expanding internationally.
Additionally, another commenter said they offloaded some worse talent on them[1], so that's another possible benefit to them.
1: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45500737
And to cover the astroturfing allegations in this thread: no, I don't work for or have any relationship with ProtonVPN, other than being a user.