Procedures to start business in Mauritius

A modern business environment is administered in Mauritius through the Business Facilitation Act. It provides a framework that allows any businesses to start operations on the basis of self-adherence to comprehensive and clear guidelines. It also aims at facilitating entry of foreign investors, as well as attracting foreign talents, know-how, ideas and technology.

New small enterprises can start their business activities within three working days from the time of application for a business permit.

Setting up an enterprise in Mauritius

Choice of the business structure:

The Companies Act 2001 provides for several types of companies:

Company limited by shares;
Company limited by guarantee;
Company limited by shares and guarantee;
An unlimited company
A foreign company
Limited Life Company

Any of the above mentioned type of companies may be licensed as Category 1 or 2 Global business companies.

Every company is either a public company or a private company. If it is not stated, then it is a public company.

Small private companies

it is one with a turnover of less than 10 million rupees or such other amount as may be prescribed in respect of its last preceding accounting period;
it is not a company holding a Category 1 Global Business Licence;

One-person company

The Act provides that one person may form a company. However, at incorporation or within 6 months, the sole shareholder/director must nominate a person to be the secretary in the event of his death or incapacity.

Dormant companies

A dormant company is one where no significant accounting transaction has occurred during any period (section 293). This excludes the issue of shares, payment of bank charges, licences fees and other compliance costs.

Guide to company’s Act 2001: http://www.gov.mu/portal/goc/compdiv/file/guide.doc

• Incorporation of companies – 1 to 15 days

Any person who wishes to incorporate a company in Mauritius should ensure that the name is available prior to incorporation.

Application forms for name reservation and incorporation of companies are available at the office on request or may be downloaded.

For online incorporation please register with the Mauritius Network Services on the following url: http://mns-services.intnet.mu

The following prescribed forms must be filled and submitted to the registrar:
- "Application for incorporation of a company" (Form1)
- Forms 7, 8 or 9 where necessary.

Domestic companies are incorporated within 24 hours of submission of application.

Certificates of incorporation for category 1 & category Global Business Companies are delivered on the same day, pending approval from Financial Services Commission.

More details from:

http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/compdivsite/menuitem.e24cd2cc6b820a052eada810f6b521ca/?content_id=7888f6c991c68010VgnVCM100000ca6a12acRCRD

• Registration of business – one day

An Application for Business Registration can be submitted at the office of Registrar of businesses or can be done online.

Information to be provided

Name of the company/commercial partnership
Company file number/Commercial partnership files number

-      The Business name (if any)
-      The general nature of business and its location
-      Date or proposed date of commencement of business
-      Address of the principal place of business
-      Postal address
-      Workforce of the applicant
-      Telephone number, fax number and email address

Registration fee payable is according to the workforce as follows

(Not applicable to Companies and Commercial Partnerships)

Workforce size		MUR
Not More than 10 persons		100
Between 11 and 50 persons		200
Between 51 and 100 persons		400
Above 100 persons		1,000

Address:
Companies Division

One Cathedral Square,
Jules Koenig Street,
Port-Louis

Tel:	+230 211 2566; +230 210 7922; +230 211 6703; +230 211 2846; +230 211 2865
Hotline	+230 208 4539
Fax	+230 212 6493; +230 208 7263
E-mail	rocd@intnet.mu

• Obtaining the Building and Land Use Permit – 3 to 15 days

A Building and Land Use Application is a formal request for permission to erect a building or to use an existing one for a particular business. It is obtained from the local Municipal or District Council.

Guide: http://www.gov.mu/portal/goc/mlge/files/guide/p_guide.doc

List of district and municipal councils: http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/mlge/menuitem.f9c1c444c628df3cb3347524e2b521ca/

More information can be obtained from the Ministry of Local Government: http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/mlge

Address:
Level 3, Emmanuel Anquetil Building
c/r S.S.R. & J. Koenig Streets
Port Louis
Tel: +230 201 1216; Fax: +230 208 1450
Email: mlg@mail.gov.mu

Payment of trade fee to the local Municipal or District Council.

Payment of the trade fee will depend on the region and type of business.

List of district and municipal councils:
http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/mlge/menuitem.f9c1c444c628df3cb3347524e2b521ca/