Mauritius, known as the Republic of Mauritius, is an island nation located 2,400 kilometres off the South East coast of African continent in the Indian Ocean, midway between the developing continents of Asia, Africa and Australia. It is a volcanic island of lagoons and palm-fringed beaches with coral reefs surrounding most of the coastline.
Mauritius is internationally recognised as a safe investment location due to its long established tradition of socio-political stability, free market economy and good governance. Mauritius is a successful developing economy having recorded an average GDP growth of 5% over the last 20 years. From a mono-crop economy based on the cultivation of sugar cane, the island has successfully transformed itself into a robust and diversified economy, resting on agro-industry, export oriented manufacturing, tourism, financial services and ICT services.
Over the years Mauritius has emerged as competitive destination for foreign investment. Investors from major capital-exporting countries of the world have a long history of doing business with Mauritius, many having re-invested in diverse economic activities. Mauritius is among the most open, competitive and low tax economies in the world which has signed and ratified more than 43 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) to date with leading developed and emerging economies around the globe, thus offering a wide range of fiscal benefits and enabling efficient tax planning. The new Mauritius is constantly transforming ideas into new business opportunities for attracting higher value-added activities that offers the best potential.
Capitalising on its strategic location and relying on its sound economic base, Mauritius has positioned itself as a premier and reputable International Financial centre in the Indian Ocean. The Mauritius International Financial Centre is a modern jurisdiction offering highly professional and reliable services to its investors. Mauritius is proactively reviewing its legal and regulatory framework as well as its business environment, in line with the world market demand.
Mauritius constitution is based on the Westminster Model and adopted on the British Parliamentary System.
Why should companies consider investing in mauritius?
Use Mauritius as a gateway to the broader region (Southern and Eastern African Market).
We have created one of the best investment climates in the world in terms of doing business, low taxation and openness.
What are the opportunities for investment?
Opportunities exist in a whole range of activities from traditional sectors to what we call the emerging sectors – renewables, business process outsourcing (BPO) and information and communications technology (ICT)
We are in an excellent time zone for global business because we can do morning business with East Asia, midday with Europe and America in the late afternoon.
We speak English and French languages.
Taxation is simple, easy and transparent.
There is no capital gains tax, no foreign exchange controls and we are a very a reputable jurisdiction for financial services and global business.
Mauritius has political stability and we are one of the most stable countries in this region. If you are looking for safe and secure places to structure your global business, Mauritius is one of them.
We can never compare with China, India and Nigeria, but we are an emerging market and our people can harness some of the potential.
Some of the unique elements that make Mauritius as an attractive and competitive investment location include:
• Political, economic and social stability
• Pro-business environment, with the government acting as the facilitator
• A dynamic private sector very receptive to foreign investment and open for joint venture collaborations
• Preferential market access to the EU, US, and Africa (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa COMESA and the Southern African Development Community SADC)
• High level of protection to investors through a wide network of Double Taxation Avoidance Treaties and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements. Mauritius is also signatory member to a number of international, regional and bilateral conventions and agreements
• Attractive package of fiscal incentives, high level of facilitation services and competitive administrative costs.
• Ease of doing business for incorporation or registration of a company. One shareholder company, with no minimum capital requirement, is permissible. 100% foreign ownership is allowed.
• Young, dynamic, competitive and bilingual (English / French) workforce with first-world qualifications, skills and experience.
• Infrastructure and reliable support services – airport and port logistics facilities, telecommunications, banking and finance, business and finance, business parks, industrial facilities and office premises.
• Good governance in investment promotion with regard to predictability and transparency of government laws, regulations and procedures, and accountability of institutions dealing with investors.
• Professional and personalised service to the investor community by the Economic Development Board.
Useful Links
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
The Economic Development Board is the national investment promotion agency of the Government of Mauritius with the mandate to promote and facilitate investment in the country. It is the first point of contact for investors exploring business opportunities in Mauritius and the region.
MAURITIUS GOVERNMENT PORTAL
The Government Portal of Mauritius is the official web portal of the Government of Mauritius. It presents information resources and online services from government sources, accessible from a single point.
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION
The Financial Services Commission is a regulatory authority responsible for the regulation, supervision, and inspection of all financial services other than banking institutions and global business in Mauritius.
REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES
The Corporate and Business Registration Department is a government office under the Ministry Of Finance and Economic Development that administers the incorporation, registration, and striking-off of companies and provides company information to the public.
MAURITIUS REVENUE AUTHORITY
This parastatal organisation is the Revenue Authority of the Mauritian Government and operates under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.