MAURITIUS

Population:

1.2 million

Currency:

Mauritian Rupee (Rs.)

Language:

English and French

Time zone:

GMT plus 4

Centre's expertise:

All round centre with no distinction between onshore and offshore; many tax treaties

General requirements

Type of entity

Global business licence 1

Global business licence 2

Type of law

Companies Act 2001

Companies Act 2001

Shelf company available

No

Yes

Time to establish a new company

14 days

3 days

Taxation

3% effective tax rate

Exempt

Double taxation agreements

Yes

None

Forex restrictions

None

None

Language & name restrictions on companies

No (provided English translation confirmed by an approved translator)

Share capital

Permitted currencies

All major currencies

All major currencies

Minimum paid up

1 Share

1 Share

Usual authorised capital

Stated Capital concept - No Authorised Share Capital

Directors and personnel

Minimum number

2

1

Local required

Yes

No

Company secretary & qualifications

Yes

No

Shareholders and AGM

Minimum number

1

1

Disclosure requirements

Yes

Yes

Publicly accessible records

No

No

Obligations for annual meetings

Yes

Yes

Location of AGM

No restriction

No restriction

Accounts

Requirement to prepare

Yes

No

Audit requirements

Yes

No

Account filing obligations

Yes

No

Publicly accessible accounts

No

No

Other

Requirements to file annual return

No

No

Change in domicile permitted

Yes

Yes

Need to registered office

Yes

Yes

Number of companies set up in last year

431 (2004)

1,728 (2004)

Total number of companies on register

7,791

18,340