MAURITIUS
The gateway
to
Africa
Mauritius’ attractive jurisdiction
in business & permits
AMY STEADMAN
M
auritius is regarded as the ‘gateway to Africa’.
It incorporates a “mid-shore jurisdiction”
in comparison to the classic offshore
jurisdiction. It’s a place to nurture legitimate
business, with the possibility of expansion in Africa
and internationally. Although it’s regarded as a
place good for business, it’s also the perfect place
to live and retire. Mauritius also allows foreigners to
own property and other investments.
Mauritius’ system is regarded as smooth and easy
when it comes to the incorporation process, banking,
taxation, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements
(DTAAs) and compliance.
The authorised company
If you set up the Authorised company, there is zero tax,
however the place of effective management is located
outside of Mauritius. This is like the Seychelles IBC or a
BVI company, with low set up and maintenance fees.
Incorporation
GBC
(Global
Business
Corporation)
minimum 2 - 4 weeks
AC (Authorised Company) minimum 1-2
weeks
Banking
Client on-boarding and account opening
completed in 24 - 36 hours in certain
cases
On-Boarding – Passport/Business plan/
Structure chart
The process starts before or as soon as
we start the incorporation process.
Taxation
Maximum corporate tax rate of 15%
Double Taxation Avoidance
Agreements (DTAAs)
46 treaties in place / 6 awaiting
ratification / 5 await signature
Compliance with
international standards
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OECD and EU compliant
Schemes
Smart City Scheme - Offers attractive fiscal
and non-fiscal incentives to investors.
Property Development scheme - Allows the
development of a mix of residences for sale
to non-citizens, citizens and members of the
Mauritian Diaspora.
Film rebate schemes - The scheme allows
30 percent refund on all the Qualifying
Production Expenditures (QPPE) incurred by a
film producer in respect of his/her project in
Mauritius.
Regulatory Sandbox licence - offers the
possibility for an investor to conduct a
business activity for which there exists no
legal framework, or adequate provisions under
existing legislation in Mauritius.
Freight rebate scheme – exporters may
apply for a refund of 25% of the Basic Freight
Cost to the maximum of USD 300 per 20-feet
container and USD 600 per 40-feet container
exported to eligible Ports in Africa, Madagascar
and Reunion Island.
Food processing Scheme - The Registration
Certificate (Food Processing) has been
introduced to promote global value chain
through the cultivation and importation
of agricultural products to be used as raw
materials for processing into intermediate and
finished products and to encourage re-export
activities.
It’s most commonly used for activities which are not
entitled to the benefits attributable to a GBC. This is
an appropriate structure for SA expatriates.
The Global Business Corporation
The Global Business Corporation is taxed at 15% but
it can be reduced to 3% through the 80% partial
exemption. This is applicable on certain sources of
income provided the GBC meets certain substance
requirements as listed below:
Foreign source dividend / Foreign source interest /
Profits of foreign branch / Foreign source profits of a
collective investment scheme (CIS) / Closed ended fund
/ CIS manager / CIS administrator / Investment advisor /
Asset manager / Foreign source income from ship and
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