Mauritius is attractive to investors and businesses for many reasons, amongst which is its business climate. Indeed, successive governments have worked to provide investors with an environment conducive to the expansion of their activities abroad. A welcoming, dynamic and stable country, it is a source of marvel and astonishment to the professionals, pensioners and entrepreneurs who have chosen to settle there. Here is what you need to know about the different types and statutes possible and an overview of the central partner for the procedures to be completed: the Economic Development Board Mauritius.
Business creation in Mauritius: the different types
The “Companies Act 2001” regulates the different types and categories of companies that can be established in Mauritius. As a foreign investor, you have the right to create:
- A “One person company”: this is a compulsorily private, one-person company made up of a single partner (a natural person). This partner will be the one and only manager of the company, once created.
- A “Private company”: this is a private company that does not have the right to use public savings. The number of partners must be less than 25.
- A “Public company”: this is a public company that can use public savings and whose number of partners is unlimited.
- An Offshore Company: this is a type of company specially adjusted for the offshore and divided into two categories, the Global Business Company and the Authorised Company.
Setting up a business in Mauritius: the different legal statutes
By choosing to set up a company in Mauritius, the foreign investor has the possibility to choose between three legal statutes:
The Company (Limited Liability by Share). Here, the liability of shareholders is limited to the amount of their contribution to the company.
The Company “Limited by Guarantee” (Limited Liability by Guarantee). Here, the liability of each partner is limited to the amount of the guarantee which he undertakes to contribute in the event of the liquidation of the company.
The Limited Liability Company by Share and by Guarantee. This refers to a merger of the first two statutes, “Limited by shares” and “Limited by Guarantee”.
How Fast can a company be set up in Mauritius?
A domestic company limited by shares can be set up in as fast as 48 hours.
Role of the Economic Development Board Mauritius in the creation of companies in Mauritius
Its vision: create a sustainable high-income economy for all citizens through economic planning and development
Its mission: to achieve the aim of the Mauritian economy through strategic economic planning and development
The Economic Development Board of Mauritius (EDB, replacing the BOI) is a merger of the Board of Investment, Enterprise Mauritius and the Financial Services Promotion Agency. It is a body operating under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Office and has a role in economic planning, investment, development and investment facilitation in Mauritius.
Its main objective is to help the country achieve a high-income status through sustainable and inclusive growth while ensuring economic independence.
