Mauritius ICT Investment - BOI

8/8/2019 Mauritius ICT Investment - BOI

1/8


2/8

INTRODUCTION

Mauritius has, over the years, meticulously assembled the prerequisites to make the

island a business-friendly, profitable and safe location of unparalleled quality for the

investor community, both local and foreign. The island has over three decades of positive

track record in hosting foreign investors, coming from major capitals of the world, many

of whom have re-invested in multiple projects since and are still present in Mauritius.

Leading global consultancy firms have positioned Mauritius as an up-and-coming global

quality ICT destination, placing the island ahead of other emerging destinations in terms

of political stability, cultural compatibility, quality infrastructure and government support.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Mauritius is ideally placed to become the quality Infocomms and Media Cluster in this

part of the world. Investment opportunities exist in the following priority areas:

IT Enabled Services (ITES): The call centre industry is the highest generator of

employment with a solid base of international players presently operational. Most of

the work is currently centred on customer support, help desk and telemarketing

campaigns. International providers generally rate Mauritius with high levels of satisfaction.

The availability of specialized professionals such as accountants, lawyers and

architects has been a catalyst to the development of the BPO segment in Mauritius.

Opportunities exist in accounting and financial BPO, market research and analysis (e.g.

equity research, insurance underwriting and financial data mining), legal and HR BPO,

medical transcription, architectural and engineering design, web development and

multimedia, among others.

Orange Business Services operates in a highly competitive globalmarket. The convergence of high bandwidth/mobile telephony/applications is a practical reality for the end users of ourEnterprise client portfolio. With the globalisation of thesecompanies and the increased business travels of their employees,our Enterprise clients expect to obtain the same level of servicesthat they are accustomed to at the office, everywhere else inthe world.

To meet their clients expectations, our customer care servicesalso need to expand towards a global coverage. These servicesare currently on a high growth path.The state-of-the-art infrastructure, economic and politicalstability, availability of skills and government support havebeen instrumental in our decision to set up in Mauritius.Moreover, the added advantages of a bilingual (English/French)workforce and a convenient time zone make it ideal for us todevelop a Technical Helpdesk in Mauritius as a complementthe other Orange Business Services centres.

Patrice Despax Director of Orange Major Service Centre - Mauritius

Rogers Outsourcing Solutions Ltd

The outsourcing structures in Mauritius provideAXA Assistance Germany with an excellent opportunity tooptimise and reinforce our processes and be even more efficientin a highly competitive market place.We have chosen Mauritius because of its ability to offer highquality services and because of its language capabilities. Our

joint venture with The Rogers Group is a vehicle of growth forour business.


3/8

Software Development Activities: Given the high knowledge expertise of the

Mauritian IT graduates compared to other competing destinations, there is presently

an immense potential for companies to tap the regional and European markets. Our

bilingual pool of talents is highly competitive with international university exposure and

adaptable to the new challenges of the ever changing technological world.

Telecommunications:The liberalisation of the Mauritian telecommunicationsindustry has encouraged the entry of new operators in this field, resulting in the exponential

growth of mobile phone and internet users, and improved fixed-line density. Appropriate

measures have been taken to keep pace with the rapid development in telecommunications

and to cater for broadband networks. Multinational telecoms companies are now

using Mauritius as a platform to tap the regional and francophone markets.

Intelligent habitats: There is a real need to provide potential investors witha range of intelligent buildings at competitive rates. The construction of various intelligent

ICT habitats throughout the island is still an area with significant untapped potential

given the strong growth in the sector.

Media and digital entertainment: With the current expansion of the film

industry, Mauritius envisions becoming a regional Media and Digital Entertainment hub.

The island has interesting assets to attract industry players including varied scenery

ranging from the idyllic sun and sea spots to luxuriant greens, a cosmopolitan andethnically diverse population and an increasing number of professional cast and new crew.

Mauritius is positioned to attract all investments in the industry. Specific opportunities

have also been structured in the following areas: setting up of studios and processing

laboratories, provision of industry specific goods such as high quality and sophisticated

equipment needed for filmmaking, provision of industry specific services such as

development of specific locations for shootings and training of artists and technicians.With the burgeoning games and animation global industries, Mauritius is equipped to

develop the digital media industry with unparalleled success.

Ms. Meng Wanzhou, Vice President Finance, HuaweiTechnologies Headquarters Inaugural speech

The well-equipped infrastructures, the good investmentenvironment and the rich human resources of talented

people here have made Huawei choose Mauritius as

the location of our financial shared service centre for

the South African region

WHY MAURITIUS ?

A fast growing sector

Growing at an annual rate of 40%, the Mauritian ICT industry has rapidly emergedas a sector with strong potential. With around 200 companies currently operational,

among which some major flagship companies, the sector is contributing positively to

the Mauritian economy.

A strategic geopolitical location

Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean, at the crossroads of vital trade routes between

Europe and Asia, Africa and Australia, thus benefiting from a time zone differential

which allows multinationals to operate on a truly global delivery model.

Through its location, strong international

relationships with India, Europe and USA

and continuous political stability, Mauritius

is well poised to become the prime

offshoring centre for global companies.


4/8

Marc- Henri Ravaux, Country Manager,Microsoft Indian Ocean Islands and French Pacific

The Regional Microsoft Office was opened in

Mauritius in 1997 following the implementation of

the Copyright Act by the Government of Mauritius.

Commitment from MS versus the Government on

supporting the IP Law Enabling people and communities in Mauritius to

realize their potentials

Stable political and economical climate

Governments willingness to develop the IT sector

Incentives provided to investors

Bilingual workforce

A skilled, bilingual and cosmopolitan workforce

Mauritius has a pool of young, well educated, skilled and productive workforce.

The government is currently encouraging world class tertiary education institutions

to invest in the country so as to enhance the existing pool of talents. The level of

attrition is less than 10%, an excellent indicator of the stability of the workforce.

Indicators

Population level

GDP per capita

Employable workforce

Unemployment rate

Literacy rate

No. of school leavers

School CertificateHigher School Certificate

No. of tertiary enrolments per year -IT courses (Diploma to Master)ManagementAccountancy

Year 2006

1.2 m

$ 5,280

549,200

9.1%

86%

12,1497,274

4,7332,219215

Sources: Central Statistics Office and Bank of Mauritius(Exchange rate: 1USD = MUR 31)

Courses are distributed up to a Masters level in IT in our two universities and a numberof students coming back to Mauritius each year with degrees from leading universities

in Europe, India, Australia, South Africa and Canada. Prestigious international companies

like Infosys, Microsoft, Accenture, Centerfile and TNT Group recruit a number of our

local graduates each year and are perfectly satisfied with the quality of the workforce.

With its multi-ethnic population, Mauritius is an ideal platform for international investors

wishing to implement a truly global delivery model.

Vidia Mooneegan, General Manager, TNT Document Services

There are a number of reasons why TNT Document

Services has chosen Mauritius to run its offshore operation.

The core reason is the workforce - skilled, talented,

trainable, hardworking, multilingual, and with a customer

service mentality. Our customers and colleagues are

always impressed when they visit our facility, where

they experience the friendly atmosphere and the positive

attitude of our highly motivated team.Other reasons are low cost, technology infrastructure,

advantageous time zone, and low political and

geographic risk.

*

*

* Year 2005


5/8

Yves Bernaert, Accenture Senior ExecutiveMauritius Center lead

Accenture started its operations in Mauritius in January

2002. Mauritius Center is part of our Global Delivery

Network. We provide services to European and US

clients in IT development and BPO, with a team of 600

people. We are continuously growing our operations.

We chose Mauritius based mainly on 3 areas which

demonstrate its ability to deliver high-value BPO and IT

as an offshore location: People (High-skilled professionals,

Bilingual in French and English and a flexible workforce),Telecommunications (Reliable and low-cost

telecommunications infrastructure, local competencies),

Environment (Stable and flexible legal environment,

State-of-the-art training and education framework)

Quality Infrastructure

As part of a quality supply strategy, the Mauritian government has invested massively

in providing ICT companies with state-of-the-art infrastructure. The Ebene Cyber City

is the first of its kind of a new generation of IT parks in this part of the world. The Cyber

City hosts the award winning Cyber Tower, an intelligent building equipped with

ultramodern features. Similar infrastructural facilities are provided for the construction

of intelligent buildings in different parts of the island.

Mauritius is connected to the SAFE/SAT3/WASC submarine fibre optic cable system

which provides high bandwidth international connectivity. SAFE secures international

connectivity even during cyclones and provides an alternative high-speed link to theexisting satellite routes. Advanced telecommunications services include the introduction

of Wi-Fi technology and 3G mobile networks which have revolutionized the

telecommunications landscape in the country.


6/8

Unmatched Regulatory Framework

An appropriate legal framework has been put into place to enable international ICT

players to successfully conduct business from Mauritius. In this perspective, the Informationand Communication Technologies Act 2001, Computer Misuse and Cyber crime Act 2003

are some of the legislations that have been enacted to secure the transfer and processing

of personal and confidential data. This opens up interesting investment opportunities

for the relocation of value-added BPO activities in Mauritius.

A company can be incorporated within a maximum of 3 working days.

The Companies Act 2001 allows for the incorporation of companies with thefollowing options:

One shareholder,

With or without any statutory constitution, and No minimum paid-up capital.

A company name should be reserved by filing a notice of reservation of name to theRegistrar of companies prior to incorporation.

Upon issual of a certificate of incorporation by the Registrar of Companies a uniquebusiness registration number will be issued to the company which will be common forall communications with the local authorities.

Competitive Business Environment

Mauritius offers a low tax jurisdiction and an investor-friendly environment to encourage

local and foreign ICT companies to set up an activity.

Harmonised corporate and income tax rate at 15%

VAT at 15%, refundable

Tax free dividends

No capital gains tax

100% foreign ownership

Exemption from customs duty on equipment Free repatriation of profits, dividends and capital

No minimum foreign capital required

50% annual allowance on declining balance for the purchase of electronic andcomputer equipment

Streamlining of all administrative procedures

~ A single occupation permit instead of work and residence permits

granted to investors (generating MUR 3 million of annual turnover)and professionals being offered employment for a monthly salary

of at least MUR 30,000.

~ No restriction to purchase immovable property to be usedexclusively for business purposes.

~ After three years of activity in Mauritius, consistent with the termsof entry, foreign nationals, spouse and dependents can apply for

a permanent residence valid for a period of 10 years and purchasereal estate.

~ The spouse of a holder of an occupation permit is allowed totake up employment.

FORMALITIES TO SET UP A COMPANY


7/8

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT

AGENCIES

Business Parks of Mauritius Ltd

(BPML)

National Computer Board(Incubator Centre)

Information and Communication TechnologyAuthority (ICTA) for telecom licensing

Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) -for broadcasting licensing

Mauritius Telecom

Mauritius Film Development Corporation

Human Resource Development Council(Ministry of Education and Human Resources)

Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry

(MCCI)

Mauritius Employers Federation(MEF)

University of Mauritius(UOM)

University of Technology,Mauritius(UTM)

Registrar of Companies

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.e-cybercity.mu

Email: [email protected]: http://incubator.intnet.mu

Website: www.icta.mu

Website: www.iba.gov.mu/portal/site/iba

Website: www.mauritiustelecom.com

Website: www.mfdc.mu

Email: [email protected]: www.hrdc.mu


Website: www.mcci.org

Email: [email protected]: www.mef/online.org

Website: www.uom.ac.mu

Email: [email protected]: www.utm.ac.mu

Email: [email protected]: www.companies.gov.mu

Companies may register with the Board of Investment for assistance and support to theimplementation of their projects or business.

Forms and detailed information are available on the following website:

http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/compdivsite

Contact Us:The Infocomms & Media ClusterBoard of Investment


[email protected]

July

2007


8/8

Head Office

Board of InvestmentLevel 10, One Cathedral Square Building

16 Jules Koenig StreetPort Louis

MAURITIUSTel : + 230 203 38 00Fax : + 230 208 29 24

Email : [email protected]: www.investmauritius.com

Paris Office

Board of Investment - Ile Maurice124 Boulevard Haussmann

75008 ParisFRANCE

Tel: + 33 1 45 44 62 14Fax: + 33 1 45 48 75 22


Mumbai OfficeBoard of Investment - Mauritius

103 Mittal Tower C WingLevel 10, Nariman Point

Mumbai 400 021INDIA

Tel: + 91 22 66 30 86 17/8Fax: + 91 22 66 30 86 19


London OfficeBoard of Investment - Mauritius

32/33 Elvaston PlaceLondon SW7 5NWUNITED KINGDOM

Tel: +44 207 581 02 94 / 5Fax: +44 207 823 84 37 / +44 207 584 98 59


Mauritius ICT Investment - BOI

Documents

Transcript of Mauritius ICT Investment - BOI