Business, Corporate and Investor Services

Services

Mauritius


Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean approximately 1200 miles from the southeast coast of the African continent, is a democratic republic and has a population in excess 1 million. Mauritius has , at different times prior to independence, been colonised by the English and French, and as such its legal system is a hybrid of both English and French law. The Mauritius government has made a substantial commitment to the development of the financial services sector.


Law and Taxation

The Companies Act 2001, replaced both the Companies 1984 and the International Companies 1994, allows for two categories of companies, the GBL2 and GBL1.


The Category 2 Global Business Licence (GBL2) is similar in structure to an International Business Company. It is not subject to taxation in Mauritius except for an annual government fee of USD235 which is payable to the Financial Services Commission on each 1st July and an annual registration fee of USD65 which is payable to the Registrar of Companies on 20th Jan every year.


The Category 1 Global Business Licence (GBL1) may be used to access the extensive and growing network of international tax treaties which the Mauritius Government is continually developing. GBL1 companies are subject to taxation at  a rate of 0-3% as a Tax Incentive Company. However, companies can structure their affairs to take advantage of a series of tax credits which may significantly reduce the effective rate of taxation, or may elect to pay at a higher rate to satisfy controlled foreign company legislation in the country of residence of the parent company.

Companies which fail to pay annual fees to the government and the officers of such companies are in default and could be subject to prosecution in Mauritius.


Corporate Requirements

1.Chinese character names are permitted and can be included in a company's Certificate of Incorporation. 
2.GBL2: A GBL2 company is only required to have one director and one shareholder. While corporate directors are permitted, GBL2 companies are precluded from issuing bearer shares. Following the Finance Bill 2000 enacted in July 2000, details of members, directors and officers of GBL2 companies must be registered with the FSC and ROC but are not available for public inspection which adds to administration costs. A return of details on beneficial owner/ultimate beneficial owner must be filed with the Financial Services Commission (FSC), any subsequence charge must be notified to the FSC within one month.  Every GBL2 company is required to file annual financial summary with the FSC within 6 months from the company’s year end.

3.GBL1: The costs of establishing a GBL1 company are relatively high because of the additional compliance and residency requirements. To access treaties, a GBL1 company must have at least two local directors and one shareholder. At present, corporate directors are not permitted. A GBL1 company must also appoint a Mauritian resident as company secretary. Each year, the company must prepare audited accounts and file them within 6 months after the close of its financial year with the FSC. Non-compliance will result in a revocation of the GBL1 licence. GBL1 companies that wish to utilise Mauritius' international tax treaties must demonstrate that management and control are exercised in Mauritius. Details of directors and members must be kept with the FSC and ROC. 
4.Both GBL2 and GBL1 companies must have a Registered Office and Registered Agent/ Management Company in Mauritius.


Local Infrastructure

All the major international accounting firms are represented in Mauritius and there are an increasing number of international banks. There are, however, no established legal firms with all lawyers being sole practitioners. Communications are excellent and there are direct flights to Mauritius from both Singapore and Hong Kong.