Being in Mauritius is being in Africa! Mauritius is a member of major African regional organizations such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), and therefore offers access to a regional market of over 500 million consumers with preferential tariff and quota for products originated (processed) in Mauritius into Africa.
The extensive network of Double Taxation Avoidance Treaties (DTA) entered into by Mauritius with 39 countries of which 14 are African countries, positions Mauritius as the ideal investment platform into Africa. A Mauritian holding company, being a tax resident in Mauritius, could benefit from preferential tax regime over its incomes (capital gain, dividend, interest and royalty) derived from investments in Africa under the DTA.
The Investment Promotion Protection Agreements signed by Mauritius with over 20 African countries, ensure the free repatriation of investment capital and returns, guarantee against expropriation, provide investors with compensation for losses in case of war, armed conflict or riot, and further provide arrangements for the settlement of disputes between investors and the contracting states.
Mauritius is a well-regulated jurisdiction having never been on any international black list and is one of only 32 countries the Economist Intelligence Unit considers a full democracy. The island is ideally situated at crossroads between Africa and Asia in a favourable time zone (GMT+4 hours) enabling businesses there to conveniently cover Asia, Europe and the Americas all in the same day.
Mauritius retained the right to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England thereby providing comfort to international investors using Mauritian vehicles.
In addition, the vibrant stock exchange of Mauritius is opened to foreign investors whilst the banking system is very sound, with the oldest commercial bank dating back from 1838. The island also has a bilingual workforce and an efficient telecommunications system touted as being among the best in Africa.
GlobaLex Chambers has a wide variety of international and local clients, including leading financial institutions, law firms, accountants, funds and fund managers, multinationals, family offices and high net worth individuals.
The firm covers all aspects of Mauritian law with a particular emphasis on cross border investment holding and projects, funds and financial services, banking, finance and capital markets, corporate, commercial, aviation and intellectual property.
We endeavour to provide bespoke assistance in French, English, Chinese and Malay according to the client business needs as and when they evolve. We are committed to provide the highest standards of service and conduct of assignment on a cost-effective basis.
