The Mauritius International Financial Centre boasts more than two decades’ track record in cross-border investment and finance, and offers an unparalleled well-regulated and transparent platform. As an internationally recognised jurisdiction of repute, the Mauritius IFC is home to a number of international banks, legal firms, corporate services, investment funds and private equity funds.

Banking

Besides traditional banking facilities, banks offer card-based payment services, such as credit and debit cards internet banking and phone banking facilities. Specialized services such as fund administration, custodian services, trusteeship, structured lending, structured trade finance, international portfolio management, investment banking, private client activities, treasury and specialized finance are also offered by banks.

The Mauritius banking sector has been the recipient of a number of international accolades and awards over the past few years. The fast expanding Mauritian economy and the buoyant regional opportunities present a lot of opportunities for investment in banking in and through Mauritius in the following fields:

• Global Business Banking – Leveraging on its set of innovative products for investment structuring targeting the emerging countries of Asia and Africa, the Mauritian banking sector offers lucrative opportunities in global business banking.
• Private Banking – the increasing pool of High Net Worth Individuals in Mauritius as well as in the region, makes the jurisdiction an ideal platform for private banking and wealth management services.
• Investment Banking – the growing need of investments in the region positions Mauritius as the platform of choice for the structuring of financing needs.
• Islamic Banking – boosting from a dedicated set of guidelines for Islamic Finance and Banking.

Capital Markets

The Capital Markets in Mauritius is one of the most vibrant sectors of the economy and the country provides a dynamic debt and equity market. It is the second largest market in the African region. Mauritius provides investors with a dynamic securities market and offers world class trading facilities. The trade of fixed interest securities and equity normally takes place through market intermediaries, regulated as Investment Dealers. Coming a long way since its launch in 1989, the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM) is today one of the precursors in sustainability in the African continent.

Insurance 

Long Term Insurance Business means life insurance, pension and permanent health insurance business. General Insurance Business: insurance business other than long term insurance business whereby policies are delivered with respect to Accident & Health, Engineering, Guarantee, Liability, Motor, Property, Transportation. External Insurance Business: Corporation engaged in insurance business, including captive insurance business, restricted solely to non-Mauritian policies. In 2014, total assets of Life and General insurance companies reached 33.7% of GDP whereas the Long-Term Insurance category held assets totalling USD 3.92 Billion. There is no minimum requirement for investment in Government securities.  Investment in overseas assets are limited to 25 percent of total assets, except for foreign life companies and general insurance business which are not allowed to invest in overseas assets.

Captive insurance

Mauritius offers an attractive and stable environment for captive insurance companies. The Captive Insurance business has become an ever increasing method for companies to manage their annual premium payments with sustained and continued growth over the past decade. There are over 5,700 captives worldwide writing a total of more than USD 55 billion of premiums annually.

Global funds

Mauritius is home to some of the most impactful and leading funds from around the world. Boasting over a thousand funds, a collective AUM in excess of USD 80 billion, and a sizeable number of them from development finance institutions and sovereign wealth funds, Mauritius is noted as the gold standard for fund management and administration.

Mauritius is home to some of the most impactful and leading funds from around the world.  Also is noted as the gold standard for fund management and administration. Mauritius offshore fund clients to ensure the ongoing quality, efficiency and service level of our global fund services. As a global fund service provider, we are both proactive and reactive to support our offshore fund clients’ evolving needs.

The Funds are structured as investment companies in Mauritius, and can either be open-ended, falling under the Collective Investment Schemes category, or closed-ended, commonly referred to as Private Equity funds. The Funds domiciled in the Mauritius IFC are eligible to all the benefits which accrue to Global Business Companies.

Limited Liabilities Partnership

The Mauritius IFC has introduced the Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) to provide a conducive structure for the flagship international law firms to establish in Mauritius. The LLP also caters for other professional service providers operating in fields other than legal services.

Overseas Family Offices

The Overseas Family Office Scheme caters for the domiciliation of assets and wealth of high net worth families in Mauritius.  The Scheme consists of two licences, one for single family offices and the other for multi-family offices.

Asset and Fund Managers

The Fund and Asset Manager Scheme provides mid to big size fund and asset managers with the incentive to establish their management offices in Mauritius, notably for their African portfolio.

Global Headquarters Administration

The Global Headquarters Administration Licence is provided to a holding company, incorporated in Mauritius and belonging to a well-established international group, reputed in its field of business and industry.

Global Treasury Activities

The Global Treasury Activities Licence caters for treasury nerve centre of multinational corporations incorporated in Mauritius, and providing treasury services to related entities.

Investment Bank

The new Investment Banking Licence caters for investment banks to establish in Mauritius, and to provide investment banking services in mergers and acquisitions, listings, IPOs, cross-border investments and other advisory services.