MAURITIUS AS AN OFFSHORE BUSINESS CENTRE

Over the past decade, the Mauritian economy has witnessed continuous growth in the GDP. In order to sustain this trend, the government of Mauritius is trying to diversify an economy that relies heavily on agriculture and manufacturing industries.

The Mauritian government is promoting offshore activities that will not only set Mauritius on its way to become the regional financial centre but also an international financial and business centre. Various types of offshore activities have already been identified, including offshore fund management, holding companies, operational headquarters, offshore captive insurance, foreign security companies, ship management, financial services and consultancy, shipping, aircraft financing and leasing, and trading.

The current structure offers the following incentives:

•Exemption from compliance with the Exchange Control Act.
•Freedom to conduct all legitimate banking and other financial business with non residents.
•Exemption from credit, interest rates and other restrictions normally applied to business of domestic banks.
•Low income tax rate of 5% on all offshore profits.
•Free repatriation of profits without further taxation.
•Exemption from stamp duty on documents relating to offshore business transactions.
•Exemption from custom duty on imported office equipment.
•No withholding tax on interest payable on deposits raised from non-residents by offshore banks.
•Double taxation avoidance treaties with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Malaysia, Sweden, India, Italy, and Zimbabwe. Similar agreements are being negotiated with other countries.
•Expatriate staff are subject to a concessionary personal income tax rate, i.e. half the normal personal tax rates.
•No estate duty or inheritance tax is payable on the inheritance of shares in an offshore entity.
•No capital gains tax.

OFFSHORE BUSINESS & DIRECTORY LISTINGS

BUSINESSCONSULT MAURITIUS
•Address : 6th Floor, Sir William Newton Street,
•Port-Louis, Mauritius
•Phone : (230) 211-6716
•Activity : Offshore fund structuring and administration, Company corporate services, Trust formation, registration and administration, Corporate and trustee services to offshore companies, International tax planning, Ship & aircraft registration, Provision of all accounting & secretarial services, Expatriate services, such as tax, work and residence permits...


GRAND BAIE TRUST CO LTD
•Address: Suite 619 St James Court,
•St Denis Street,
•Port-Louis, Mauritius
•Telephone : (230) 210-7070 / 210 0007
•Activity:Grand Baie Trust Company Limited is a licensed offshore management company. Our expertise is based on an in-depth knowledge of our clients' needs, and drawing on the collective know-how of our strategic and professional alliances.

MOORE STEPHENS MAURITIUS
•Address : 6th Floor, Sir William Newton Street,
•Port-Louis, Mauritius
•Phone : (230) 211-6535
•Activity : Offshore Business Consultants, Offshore Management Company, Financial and Consultancy Services, Accounting...


A.A.M.I.L LTD
•Address : Caudan Waterfront,
•Port-Louis, Mauritius
•Phone : (230) 210-1000
•Activity : Offshore Business Consultants, Offshore Management Company and Accountancy.

ASHOKE ROY.COM.
•Address : 3rd Floor, Bank of Baroda Building
•Sir William Newton St., Port-Louis, Mauritius
•Phone : (230) 208-4335
•Activity : A full range of offshore services including vessel registration using a very talented pool. Co formation and allied services; Insurance companies; Structuring regional investments

ALLIANCE TRUST CO. (Mauritius) LTD.
•Suite 409 St James Court,
•St Denis Street, Port-Louis, Mauritius
•Telephone : (230) 210-7070 / 210 0007
• Activity: Alliance Trust Co. (Mauritius) Limited is a licensed offshore management company specialising in the formation and administration of offshore companies in Mauritius.

If interested in Offshore Business, please e-mail any inquiries to offshore@maurinet.com