WHY MAURITIUS?
Living environment
Mauritius is gradually being transformed into an international island. Its white sandy beaches, its turquoise lagoons and his magnificent landscape render the the island an exceptional setting. Mauritius is also disposed of a modern infrastructure (harbour, airport, road networks, schools, hospitals……).
Numerous investors and professionals have put their faith in Mauritius, thanks to its way of life.
Its capital, Port Louis, was recognised in the 2008 Mercey Survey, as being a city of reference in the region of Africa and the Middle East with regards to its good quality of life.The island occupied the first place in this classification, in front of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Political stability
Mauritius is known for its political and social stability and possesses a dynamic financial sector, in addition to an infrastructure and to a modern free port. The liberalised sector of telecommunications benefits from substantial investments. The Mauritian government encourages foreign investments and has created a favourable environment for investment, offering a whole range of incentive measures and conveniences to attract direct foreign investment and institutional investors.
A prosperous economy
Mauritius possesses a prosperous economy that reflects the dynamism of the private sector and its regulatory framework. The economy is diversified, the main sectors being Sugar, Tourism, Textiles, the Finances and Services sectors, as well as the T.I.C sector,outsourcing, fishing and sea industry and real-estate development projects,including the creation of luxury villas.
Investor Protection
Investor protection has always been one of the major advantagesof Mauritius. The country is signatory of several treaties and multilateral agreements assuring the protection of the foreign investors.
The International Court of Justice of the Hague
The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
The International Centre for the Regulation of investment disputes
The1958 New York Convention
No exchange control
Mauritius is a free market economy. There is no limit on transferring profits, dividends and capital out of the country.
An attractive tax system
The tax rate in Mauritius is one of the lowest in the world. The tax scheme is very flexible,rendering business easy. The main axis of the Mauritian tax system are as follows:
15 % tax on the profits of companies
15 % tax on private incomes
No tax on capital gains (CGT)
No tax on dividends
No inheritance taxes
No limit on the transfer of profits, dividends and capital
80 % tax credits for offshore companies - GBL1 (actual tax rate of 3 %)
Mauritius also concluded treaties of non double taxation with 33 countries
An environment conducive to doing business
Mauritius stands out on the international scene through its ease of doing business. The country is classified by the World Bank as being 1st in Africa in the “2008 Doing Business Report”.
Mauritius is a very attractive platform for investors and foreign professionals who have the possibility of starting an economic activity in the space of only 3 days.
The work permits and occupation permit are granted to investors and professionals in the space of only 3 days.
An opening towards the world
Major reforms were brought to the Mauritian economy to attract investment and foreign skills. The country is classified in first position in the"Heritage Foundation's"2008 Index of economic freedom.Foreigners can now live in Mauritius, and even buy property and become permanent residents following the approval of the Prime Minister.The purpose is to boost an attractive development, in terms of the conseption of real-estate projects and the quality of their construction. Mauritius has built up for itself an international reputation as an exclusive tourist destination, with its innate sense of hospitality, its magnificent landscapes and its hotels of international standards.
Availability of qualified workforce
The literacy rate in Mauritius exceeds 80 %.Education is free until the end of secondary school, with the government constantly improving the educational system.
The country is endowed with a workforce made up of young educated people, with varied competencies,ready to be trained. Furthermore, qualified professionals (graduates, lawyers, engineers, programmers, consultants, accountants, executive secretaries, etc.) are not lacking.
Besides the academic training given by the "University of Mauritius" and "University of Technology", a lot of Mauritians benefit from an overseas experience by studing abroad (the United Kingdom, France, the USA, Canada, India, Singapore, Australia and South Africa).
An effective system of vocational training, managed by the "Industrial and Vocational Training Board” ensures the availability of a qualified workforce in a certain number of fields, in particular engineering and electronics.
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