Mauritius introduced global business incentives in 1992 and is now recognized as a leading regional financial centre.  Financial services is an important pillar of the economy after industry, tourism and agriculture.  The government encourages financial companies wishing to establish an operational base of substance in Mauritius.  The factors favouring Mauritius include:

• flexible company and trust legislation;
  
  
• infrastructure and regulation for specialized financial services;
  
  
• sound corporate governance code based on international norms;
  
  
• economic and political stability;
  
  
• excellent telecommunications, business and IT infrastructure;
  
  
• a pool of bilingual abled professionals;
  
  
• low cost administration and support staff;
  
  
• special relationship with SADC and COMESA;
  
  
• favourable trade links with India, China, South Africa and the United States of America;
  
  
• 15% maximum tax rate for corporates and individuals;
  
  
• absence of exchange control;
  
  
• occupation and residence permits for eligible expatriates within 3 days, and business licences and permits generally with in 15 days; 
  
  
• a large network of double tax treaties.  

The Republic of Mauritius has had a democratic system of government since independence in 1968.  The President is the Head of State and full executive power is vested in the Prime Minister who is the Head of Government.

The island was a trading post for the Dutch and was colonized by the French in the seventeenth century and subsequently by the British in 1810.  Its population comprises people of African, Asian and European origin resulting in a multicultural and multilingual society. The literacy rate in Mauritius is over 90%.

Strategically located, Mauritius is a convenient bridge between Africa and Asia.

Mauritius has experienced exceptional political and social stability.  It has strong democratic institutions, including an independent and efficient judicial administration.

The country has a mixed legal system enabling local practitioners to be at ease with the laws in force in most major foreign jurisdictions.  The use of both the English and French languages in the country provides Mauritius with easy access to the international business community.

The island’s economic stability continues to attract foreign investments which are actively encouraged.  The Mauritian economy is based on free enterprise with the private sector playing a vital role in the development of the country.  The government's role is generally limited to overall monitoring and providing the appropriate infrastructure.

Through its membership of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Mauritius offers access to a regional market of over 500 million consumers with a substantial import and export market value.

Mauritius has an established Stock Exchange.  There are 40 domestic listed companies and 52 other companies trading on the Development and Enterprise market.  The average market capitalization exceeds US$1.5 billion.  Trading is on a scripless basis.  The Exchange is open to international funds seeking a primary or secondary listing and has adopted new listing rules in line with the UK yellow book.

Situated approximately 2400 kms off the south-east coast of Africa, Mauritius is an established international financial centre in the Indian Ocean/Southern African/Eastern African region.  It is strategically situated in the south-west Indian Ocean, with easy access to South Africa, Asia, Middle East and Europe and it has a convenient time zone in relation to the United States, Europe and Asia.

Telecommunication facilities on the island are excellent, allowing direct dialling to over 100 countries in the world including all major financial centres.

State-of-the-art communication infrastructure including digital, mobile and virtual telephony, WCDMA/CDMA  3G, GPRS, WAP, ADSL, xDSL, ISDN, VSAT, wireless Broadband,  Internet access and video conferencing facilities are readily available.  Mauritius is linked to the SAT-3/WASC/SAFE (South Africa-Far East) fibre optic network, thus enhancing the existing excellent network by providing very high bandwidth global connectivity. With such facilities ICT is rapidly becoming a major element of the Mauritian economy.

Mauritius has a good road network which links all parts of the Island and, as part of its policy of decentralization, Government of Mauritius has encouraged and is implementing a state-of-the-art business park on 150 acres of land in the centre of the island. 

Courier services to most countries of the world are provided by DHL, Fedex, SkyNet, TNT, UPS, and World Courier.  The air and seaports offer the most up-to-date facilities with air and sea connections in all directions to important business centres of Europe, South Africa, India and the Far East. 

The banking system in Mauritius is well developed, highly organized and efficient, offering freedom of movement of foreign currency.  The banking services are capable of meeting the diversified and continually increasing needs of businesses and individuals.

The professional services offered by accountants and lawyers are of a high standard. The large pool of well educated young people, bilingual in English and French, is a valuable asset for a country expanding its services sector.  Most of the professionals, including accountants and lawyers, are trained in Europe and are members of internationally recognized professional bodies.

Mauritius prides itself for its beautiful countryside, lagoons and beaches.  The pleasant climate and steady economic growth make it a most agreeable place in which to live and do business.