The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is the regulatory, licensing and supervisory authority for all non-banking financial services including qualified global business activities.

Global business entities must obtain a global business licence before commencement of operations.

The legal framework for global business companies consists mainly of the Companies Act 2001 (administered by the Registrar of Companies) and the Financial Services Act 2007.  A global business company needs a certificate of incorporation and a licence from the FSC before commencing business.



A GBC 1 may either be locally incorporated or be registered as a branch of a foreign company.  A foreign company may be redomiciled and continue as a Mauritian GBC 1 if the foreign law so permits.

A GBC 1 demonstrating substance can benefit from Mauritian tax treaties.  The main requirements are:

• minimum of 2 resident directors capable of exercise of independence of mind and judgement;
  
  
• holding of board meetings in Mauritius and demonstrating that central management and control is in Mauritius;
  
  
• maintenance of all accounting records;
  
  
• the use of local bankers;
  
  
• local substance is supported by having local corporate secretary and administrators, auditors, and office facilities and staff.

The GBC 2 is a tax exempt, low cost vehicle but does not benefit from the Mauritian tax treaties.  The key characteristics of a GBC 2 are:

• a GBC 2 should have a registered office and agent in Mauritius, and its register of members, directors and secretary must be filed;
  
  
• corporate director is permitted;
  
  
• bearer shares are not allowed;
  
  
• board meetings may be held in or outside Mauritius but the latter may impact the tax residency:
  
  
• there is no requirement for any filing of audited financials;
  
  
• a foreign company may be redomiciled if the foreign law so permits and thereafter continue as a Mauritian global business company.

The supervisory and licensing body of all banks is the Bank of Mauritius which is the Central Bank.  The Central Bank monitors the capital and liquidity ratios of banks which otherwise may transact business freely.  Banks are required to maintain separate accounts for resident and non resident clients.


Licences and permits are granted by the FSC.  Operations of offshore insurance companies include captive insurance business and are supervised by the Insurance Division of the FSC.

Ships and cargo vessels can be registered with the Director of Shipping under the Merchant Shipping Act and may sail the Mauritian flag.

A global business company may be used for holding an aircraft and for mortgages and leases of aircraft.  Corporate and private executive jets, helicopters, aircraft leased to public transport undertakings and white tailed aircraft awaiting leasing or sale, engine spare parts, and flight simulators can be registered in Mauritius.