Doing Business in Mauritius

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FACT SHEET Mauritius Mauritius situated in the ‘golden triangle’ connecting Africa, Asia and Australia, Mauritius is the converging point of global civilizations a place where one can feel the cosmopolitan pulse of the world. The government has ensured that doing business in and from Mauritius is easy and efficient and complies with best practices in terms of transparency, good governance and ethics. Mauritius is ranked high in terms of business climate and governance. Mauritius has one of the world’s most open economies to f oreign ownership and one of the highest recipients of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) per capita. Notwithstanding these strong rankings, there have been disincentives to foreign investment Company Incorporation in Mauritius: A GBC 1 companies a minimum of two local directors who must be natural persons are required and board meetings must be held in Mauritius A GBC 1 company minimum of 1 shareholder and same rule applies if the company is a wholly owned subsidiary A GBC2 company is a private company which does not conduct business with persons resident in Mauritius nor conduct any dealings in Mauritian currency Licensing in Mauritius: License obtain from the Financial Services Commission and Registrar of companies The license fee published by the local authority (municipality) for the current financial year must be paid within 15 days of the start of business operations, and thereafter in respect of every subsequent financial year in 2 equal installments Accounting and Tax: A GBC 1 is subject to a concessionary rate of income tax to a maximum effective rate of 3% A GBC 1 is exempt from capital gains and no withholding tax on interest and royalties paid by a GBC 1 or GBC 2 to nonresidents Income tax, under the Income Tax Act, domestic companies and companies holding a GBC1 benefit from an income tax rate of 15%. Corporations which hold a category 2 Global Business license (GBC2) are exempt from tax but not considered as residents for tax purposes

Transcript of Doing Business in Mauritius

Page 1: Doing Business in Mauritius

FACT SHEET

Mauritius Mauritius situated in the ‘golden triangle’ connecting Africa, Asia and Australia, Mauritius is the converging

point of global civilizations – a place where one can feel the cosmopolitan pulse of the world. The

government has ensured that doing business in and from Mauritius is easy and efficient and complies with

best practices in terms of transparency, good governance and ethics. Mauritius is ranked high in terms of

business climate and governance. Mauritius has one of the world’s most open economies to foreign

ownership and one of the highest recipients of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) per

capita. Notwithstanding these strong rankings, there have been disincentives to foreign investment

Company Incorporation in Mauritius:

A GBC 1 companies a minimum of two local directors who must be natural persons are required and

board meetings must be held in Mauritius

A GBC 1 company minimum of 1 shareholder and same rule applies if the company is a wholly

owned subsidiary

A GBC2 company is a private company which does not conduct business with persons resident in

Mauritius nor conduct any dealings in Mauritian currency

Licensing in Mauritius:

License obtain from the Financial Services Commission and Registrar of companies

The license fee published by the local authority (municipality) for the current financial year must be

paid within 15 days of the start of business operations, and thereafter in respect of every subsequent

financial year in 2 equal installments

Accounting and Tax:

A GBC 1 is subject to a concessionary rate of income tax to a maximum effective rate of 3%

A GBC 1 is exempt from capital gains and no withholding tax on interest and royalties paid by a GBC

1 or GBC 2 to nonresidents

Income tax, under the Income Tax Act, domestic companies and companies holding a GBC1 benefit

from an income tax rate of 15%.

Corporations which hold a category 2 Global Business license (GBC2) are exempt from tax but not

considered as residents for tax purposes

Page 2: Doing Business in Mauritius

FACT SHEET Mauritius

Type: GBC 1 GBC 2 Limited Liability Company

Under Mauritius law, foreigners can own 100% 100% 100%

Share Capital Not required Not required Not required

Directors Minimum Two Minimum One Minimum two individuals resident of Mauritius

Shareholders Minimum One Minimum One Minimum one

Memorandum and Articles of Association Not mandatory Not mandatory Not mandatory

Can the entity hire expatriate staff in Mauritius

Yes subject to issue of relevant permits No

Yes subject to issue of relevant permits

Secretary Yes Yes subject to issue of relevant permits

Only in case of one person company

Tax Registration Certificate Required Yes No Yes

Statutory audit required

No, but an annual financial summary needs to be submitted to the Financial Services Commission Dependent on turnover

How long to open Corporate Bank Account One Week One Week One Week

Timeframe for Incorporation: 2 -3 Weeks 1 -2 Weeks One Week

Annual Return Yes

No, but an annual financial summary needs to be submitted to the Financial Services Commission Yes

Annual Tax Yes No

Yes

Access to Mauritius double tax treaties Yes No Yes

For more details, please contact [email protected]

You can also visit www.intuitconsultancy.com