The Global Business Sector
The twin advantages of being a low tax jurisdiction and having Double Tax Treaties with over 30 countries present foreign investors with significant fiscal planning opportunities when they use the Mauritius Global Business Sector as a base to invest in other countries, especially India, China, the Far East and Africa.

The ICT Sector
Mauritius has the ambition to become a cyber island. Low or zero tax rates, a bilingual and skilled workforce and an effective telecommunications network are among the factors which have attracted global players to use Mauritius for their call centre operations and business process outsourcing activities.

The Freeport Sector
This is a commercial free zone which provides foreign investors with the opportunity to trade regionally and internationally. Activities include transhipment, storage and minor processing of goods. Mauritian membership of SADC and COMESA are added advantages.

Besides the above, foreign direct investment is also expected in traditional and new sectors and under new schemes, including Integrated Resort Scheme, Regional Headquarters Scheme, Permanent Residence Scheme, Seafood Hub, Pharmaceuticals Cluster, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Education etc.

Mauritius has a long tradition of welcoming FDI. However, the string of measures announced in the recent 2006 / 2007 Budget goes considerably further in opening up the Mauritian economy to foreign investors and professionals. Here are some of the measures announced for them:

• Occupation / Residence permits will be issued within 3 days and will follow the silent agreement principle.
• An investor with an annual turnover of Rs 3 million (US$ 100,000), a professional offered employment at a salary exceeding Rs 30,000 (US$ 1,000) per month or a self-employed with annual income of Rs 600,000 (US$ 20,000) are eligible to apply for an Occupation Permit. Their spouses are eligible for a Residence permit which allows them to take up employment or self-employment which fulfils the same monetary criteria.
• Retired persons who are non-citizens can apply for a residence permit, against a bank guarantee, if they bring in at least US$ 40,000 annually.
• The investor is allowed to purchase real estate in Mauritius for an activity registered with the Mauritius Board of Investment and can apply for permanent residence after 3 years activity in Mauritius.

The above is but an overview of the investment possibilities for foreign investors in or through Mauritius. For specific enquiries and assistance on structuring your business operations in Mauritius or routing your investments in other countries through Mauritius, you are welcome to contact us directly or you can speak to our UHY contact in your country.