Investment-Grade Rating
One of only two African nations rated investment-grade by leading credit agencies.
Mauritius has earned its reputation as a trusted and world-class International Financial Centre (IFC), offering high-end financial services and investment solutions to clients regionally and globally. Renowned for its ease of doing business and adherence to best practices in transparency, governance, and ethics, Mauritius stands out as the ideal choice for businesses and investors alike.
Strategically located at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, Mauritius is perfectly positioned as a gateway for investment and trade flows across continents. With a robust framework and attractive incentives, Mauritius offers unparalleled advantages:
One of only two African nations rated investment-grade by leading credit agencies.
The only IFC that is part of SADC (Southern African Development Community), COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), and IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association).
Full repatriation of investment capital and returns.
A resilient parliamentary democracy ensuring a stable business environment.
Freedom to manage and move capital without restrictions.
46 Double Tax Avoidance Agreements concluded and 31 more are in the pipeline, 29 Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPPAs) with 29 countries and is awaiting ratification with another 15 countries.
Access to a multilingual, highly skilled talent pool.
GMT+4, allowing seamless global business operations.
Mauritius is more than an IFC—it’s the springboard to global opportunities. Let us help you leverage its strategic advantages for your success.
GWMS Ltd is your trusted partner for navigating the dynamic business landscape of Mauritius. With over two decades of experience in the global business sector and a proven track record of success, we are uniquely positioned to help you unlock the full potential of Mauritius as an International Financial Centre.
Here’s why:
As a licensed Management Company regulated by the Mauritius Financial Services Commission, we possess in-depth understanding of the regulatory, tax, and business environment in Mauritius.
We specialize in providing bespoke services, including corporate structuring, trust formation, and tax optimization, designed to align with your unique business objectives.
Through our exclusive membership with GMNI, a network of independent accounting firms in over 65 countries, we offer seamless support for international ventures.
Led by industry veterans such as Kamal Hawabhay, a recognized authority in international taxation and cross-border business, we combine technical proficiency with practical insights.
Our commitment to trust, transparency, and personalized service ensures that your experience in Mauritius is smooth, efficient, and rewarding.
Whether you’re looking to establish a presence, optimize your operations, or explore investment opportunities in Mauritius, GWMS Ltd is your ideal partner for success.
365, Royal Road, Rose Hill, Mauritius 71366
The Financial Services (Special Purpose Fund) Rules 2021 (the “Rules”) was issued by the Financial Services Commission to govern Special Purpose Funds (“SPF”).
The Rules sets out the criteria for a CIS or a CEF to qualify as an SPF and are more attractive for promoters, who are targeting professional investors by way of private placement. The SPF benefits from an advantageous tax regime subject to compliance with substance requirements.
The FSC may authorise a CIS or a CEF as a SPF if a fund:
Mauritius offers various Occupation and Residential Permits tailored to investors, professionals, retirees, and their families. Navigating the options can be complex, and misinformation from so-called experts may lead to costly mistakes.
At GWMS Ltd, our seasoned team provides accurate guidance to help you select the most suitable permit based on your unique circumstances and objectives. With our expertise, you can ensure compliance and enjoy a seamless relocation experience.
Talk to us today for reliable, professional advice and make the right choice for your future in Mauritius.
The Foundation is a hybrid vehicle which combines the benefits of a company with those of a trust. The Foundations Act 2012 is a modern and efficient legislation which is effective since 1 July 2012.
It is mostly used in wealth management, estate planning and asset holding but is equally ideal as a special purpose vehicle to legally protect one’s assets against personal liability, high taxes or forced heirship rules.
A non-resident foundation is exempt from Mauritius tax on any income derived from outside Mauritius. It is, however, liable to tax on its chargeable income attributable to its Mauritian source income. The applicable tax rate applicable to any Mauritius source income is 15%.
A foundation whose exclusive purpose or object is of a charitable nature is exempt from tax in Mauritius.
The Trust Act 2001 provides, inter alia, for the settlement of several types of trusts including fixed, discretionary, protective or spendthrift trust, charitable purpose, non-charitable purpose, commercial purpose and sharia compliant trusts amongst others. A charitable trust may be settled for several reasons including, for example, to cater for the education of a client’s children which are not resident in Mauritius.
The Trust Act provides for the protection of the assets of a trust against attacks on the basis of succession rights (i.e. guards against forced heirship rules) marriage or divorce and insolvency of a settlor or beneficiary. The trust can avail of the legitimate confidentiality provisions enshrined in the legislation itself.
Discretionary trusts afford the most opportunities for tax planning.
A non-resident trust is exempt from Mauritius tax on any income derived from outside Mauritius. It is, however, liable to tax on its chargeable income attributable to its Mauritian source income. The applicable tax rate applicable to any Mauritius source income is 15%.
A trust whose exclusive purpose or object is of a charitable nature is exempt from tax in Mauritius.
These requirements ensure that the company demonstrates real economic activity in Mauritius, including maintaining adequate office premises, employing qualified staff, and performing strategic decision-making locally.
GWMS Ltd provides expert guidance to ensure your business meets these conditions while maximizing the available tax benefits. Contact us to learn more about structuring your investments in Mauritius efficiently.
Mauritius defines securities comprehensively to include shares, bonds, derivatives, and other financial instruments, ensuring clarity and flexibility in asset management activities.
A sub-fund of a VCC Fund, subject to the approval of the FSC, operates as a Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) or a Closed-End Fund (CEF) of any category, and may elect to have a separate legal personality from that of the VCC Fund. For example, a sub-fund can be approved to operate as a CIS and an Expert Fund. The sub-fund shall comply with all requirements under the applicable legal framework.
An Expert Fund is a sub category of a CIS and it is targeted to Expert Investors who can make an initial investment for his own account of not less then USD 100,000 or a sophisticated investor (including governmental bodies and banks, amongst others).
Most of the obligations and restrictions governing other types of CIS do not apply to Expert Fund which is most suited to private placements and benefits from significant exemptions of the provisions of the Securities Act and its related regulations.
An AC must have its Central Management and Control (CMC) outside of Mauritius making it non-resident in Mauritius for tax purposes and hence not subject to tax in Mauritius on its income.
CMC is considered to be outside of Mauritius where the strategic decisions of the company in respect of its business are taken by the board of the AC outside of Mauritius AND either the majority of the company’s board meetings are held outside of Mauritius or the executive management of the company is exercised outside of Mauritius.
GWMS is able to provide the services of its corporate director to assist its clients to comply with the CMC requirement.
CAUTION – Several countries have a corporate tax residence test which provides that a company which is centrally managed and controlled in that country is taxed in that country. This test may render the AC taxable in your country if you act as a director of the AC and you manage and control the AC from your country. GWMS may provide a solution to clients who do not have their own arrangement to ensure that management and control is not in their country of residence.
An AC cannot access Mauritius’ network of double taxation avoidance treaties.