International offshore company formation

General
Type of Company	GBC2
Political Stability	Good
Standard Authorised Capital	No
Tax on Offshore Profits	Nil
Corporate Requirements
Local Registered Office and Registered Agent Required	Yes
Minimum Number of Directors/Managers	1
Local Directors Required	No
Corporate Directors Permitted	No
Minimum Number of Shareholders/Members	1
Local Shareholders Required	No
Corporate Shareholders Permitted	Yes
Company Secretary Required	No, but normally appointed
Bearer Shares Allowed	No
Annual Requirements
Filing of Annual Return	Yes, US$65
Submit Audited Accounts	No
Min. Annual Tax / Licence Fees	US$135
Shelf Companies Available	No

GENERAL INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION
Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean approximately 800 km off the East Coast of Madagascar. The island, which is of volcanic origin, covers an area of 1,800 sq. km. The population of the Island is approximately 1,200,000 made up principally by people of European, African, Indian and Chinese origin. The British ruled Mauritius for 158 years until 12th March 1968, when it became an independent country within the Commonwealth. Mauritius is one of the few countries with a hybrid legal system based on English and French law. Mauritius has developed from a low income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors.

LANGUAGE
The official and spoken language is English but "Creole" is widely spoken in the island.

TYPE OF LAW
Common Law for corporate matters, based on English Common Law with local modifications and local statutes.

COMPANY INFORMATION

TYPE OF COMPANY FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Global Business Company Category 2 (GBC 2)

TIME TO INCORPORATE
One Day, but allow seven days for receipt of documentation.

RESTRICTIONS ON NAME AND ACTIVITY
The following names or their derivatives: assurance, bank, building society, Chamber of Commerce, chartered, co-operative, government, imperial, insurance, municipal, royal, state or trust or any name which in the opinion of the Registrar suggests the patronage of the President or the Government of Mauritius.

Names must end with one of the following words, or their relevant abbreviations - Limited, Corporation, Incorporated, Societe Anonyme, Sociedad Anonima.

CLASSES OF SHARES PERMITTED
Registered shares, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights.

DISCLOSURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP TO AUTHORITIES
Yes.

LICENCE FEES
GBC 2 companies with an authorised capital up to US$100,000 pay US$135 per year to the FSC and US$65 per year to the Registrar of Companies.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Whilst there is no requirement to file annual audited accounts with the authorities, a company is required to keep financial records, which reflect the financial position of a company.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the details contained herein are correct and up-to-date, it does not constitute legal or other professional advice. We do not accept any responsibility, legal or otherwise, for any error or omission.