Global Business Financial Services Sector - Mauritius Offshore

 

Refered to the Mauritius Offshore; it is now the Global Business Sector in Mauritius. It started operations in 1992 and presently is home to more than 16,000 companies and collective investment schemes and trusts with more than 20 banks offering services to both the local and offshore sectors. The Financial Services Commission, set up in 2001, is responsible for licensing and regulation of non-banking financial services including insurance, the Mauritius stock exchange and the newly formed GBOT (Global Board of Trade), the first international multi-asset class exchange from Mauritius.

 

Features

 

As a key global business financial services centre, Mauritius offers:

• Bilingual population(English and French)

• Legal system based on English and French law

• The Privy Council Judicial Committee in the UK as the final court of appeal

• International-standard Stock Exchange

• International multi-asset class exchange

• International banking with no exchange control

• Excellent telecommunications digital network with connection to SAFE cable

• Privacy regulated and governed by the Financial Services Act of '07

 

Mauritius is also:

• A member of SADC, COMESA and IOR-ARC

• A signatory of the LOME convention and AGOA

• An active promoter and adherent to various IPPA's

• An active co-operator with OECD, FATF and the UN

 

Taxation in the global business of Mauritius offers the following benefits:

• Double Taxation Treaties with more than 33 countries

• Attractive taxes within the offshore sector where the effective rate of 3%or lower is applied using the mechanism of presumed foreign tax credit of 80% on foreign source income

• Exemption with respect to withholding tax on dividends paid out of income from approved global business activities

• Exemption on withholding tax on interest payable on dividends & royalties on payments from Mauritius

• Exemption with respect to Capital Gains & Inheritance Tax and Estate Duties

• Full exemption from tax for offshore companies incorporated as Category 2 companies

 

Taxes in the domestic market:

• Unified taxes on the domestic market at 15% for both corporates & local resident individuals

• Tax holidays for domestic companies licenced under some specific schemes such as the Freeport Development Act, etc.

  Global Business Financial Services Sector - Mauritius