Mauritius
History & BackgroundFor centuries, Mauritius has been dubbed the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean by sailors/traders due to its strategic location along major trade routes between Asia and Europe and because of its natural beauty. Today, this title still reflects the country’s status as a vibrant and diverse nation.
Many of you might know Mauritius for its sugarcane plantations and its reputation as a tropical paradise. Indeed, the island has long been celebrated for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and year-round warm climate, attracting tourists from all over the world.
But there is much more to Mauritius than just its natural beauty. Over the past 30 years, Mauritius has emerged as a prominent player in the financial services industry. The island has successfully transformed itself into a reputable financial hub, offering a wide range of services that cater to international clients. Today, Mauritius is recognised as one of the most sophisticated financial centres in Africa.
Mauritius’ unique proposition is to conduct business in an attractive and buoyant place while at the same time enjoying an exquisitely beautiful lifestyle. Mauritius offers a range of investment opportunities in different sectors. Its ease of doing business ranking and stable governance creates the perfect business climate possible.
Why Mauritius
Mauritius has a lot to offer to investors. In fact, it has been used as a gateway for investment into Asia and now increasingly Africa.
- On OECD, EU & FATF whitelist (Mauritius complies with all 40 FATF requirements)
- Business Friendly Environment:
- Strong Financial Services, Banking, Capital Market sectors
- SEM – multicurrency trading
- No foreign exchange controls
- No Capital gains tax, dividend & interest withholding tax or share transfer tax
- Substance, robust diversified economy with Tax & Investment Protection treaties
- DTAAs in place with several countries
- Political Stability: Westminster style democracy and Good Governance
- Rule of law – Reputable and Trusted Legal System: Highest Court of Appeal: UK Judicial Committee of Privy Council for dispute resolutions, arbitration / case law
- Hybrid Legal System based on French civil law and British common law systems
- Convenient location – Time Zone: GMT+4
- Excellent Infrastructure & Connectivity
- Availability of Human Capital at reasonable cost – Skilled & qualified professionals; Bilingual population
- Relocation: Occupation and Residence permits available to Expatriates / Premium Visa open to Foreign Professionals, Digital Nomads, Families and Retirees
- Exquisite lifestyle: International standards in education & health
Available Structures In Mauritius
There are different ways of structuring a business in Mauritius.
Some of the commonly used structures are:
Domestic Company
Global Business Company (GBC)
Authorised Company (AC)
Trust and Foundation
Freeport Company
Funds - CIS/ CEF
Protected Cell Company (PCC)
Limited Partnership
Variable Capital Company (VCC)
Special Licences (Investment Adviser, Investment Dealer, Insurance, Global Headquarters Administration, Global Treasury Activities, Virtual Asset, Insurance, Captive Insurance, amongst others)
The above business structures offer flexibility to cater to different business needs and objectives, supported by Mauritius’ favourable regulatory and tax environment. Please reach out to us should you be interested in establishing your business in Mauritius.