Investment Incentive Schemes
Incentive schemes for a number of sectors were set up by the Industrial Expansion Act 1993. Companies benefiting from such schemes are often known as 'incentive' companies; in many cases, Mauritian companies which invest in 'incentive' companies can treat part of their investment as an expense against tax. Some of the more important schemes are as follows:
• Pioneer Status Enterprise:
This is aimed at 'activities involving technology and skills above the average existing in Mauritius and likely to enhance industrial and technological development'. Incentives include 15% corporate tax, exemption from customs duty and sales tax, and exemption from withholding tax.
• Modernisation and Expansion Scheme:
The scheme aims to accelerate the modernisation of existing enterprises; incentives include exemption from customs duty and enhanced tax credits on purchase of new equipment, particularly anti-pollution equipment.
• Industrial Building Scheme:
The scheme encourages the construction of industrial buildings for letting with incentives that include a 15% corporate tax rate, exemption from withholding tax, 50% exemption from land purchase dues, and the disapplication of rent controls.
• Hotel Development Certificate:
Incentives include 5% corporate tax, exemption from withholding tax for 10 years, exemption from customs duties, and loans at preferential rates.
•The inward investment process in Mauritius can be bureaucratic, and after promising a 'one-stop-shop' for inward investors for some years, the administration finally created an integrated agency for inward investment in 2001.
New incentives for the ICT Sector consist, inter alia, of the availability of tax holiday up to year 2008 for specified pioneering high-skills ICT operators typically geared towards the export market, such as
• software development
• multi-media
• high-level ICT training institutions
• customs duty-free import of ICT and similar equipment
• 50 % relief of personal income tax for a specified number of foreign IT staff
• duty-free import of personal belongings of foreign IT staff
• effective fast track procedure for procession of visa and work permits for foreign staff, including spouses