A Global Business Company (GBC) is a Mauritius-incorporated legal entity licensed by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) to conduct business outside of Mauritius. It is the preferred vehicle for international investors, holding companies, and businesses seeking a tax-efficient, legally compliant structure within a reputable jurisdiction.
Key Features
- Incorporated under the Companies Act 2001 and regulated by the FSC under the Financial Services Act 2007.
- Must demonstrate management and control from Mauritius to benefit from tax residency and access Mauritius’s extensive network of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs).
- Can conduct global trading, investment holding, asset management, financial services, and other cross-border commercial activities.
Substance Requirements
To qualify as a GBC and access treaty benefits, the entity must show real economic presence in Mauritius, including:
- At least two resident directors.
- A Mauritian-registered office and qualified company secretary.
- Local bank account in Mauritius.
- Core income-generating activities carried out in Mauritius (can include board meetings, contract management, or administrative support).
- Properly maintained accounting records and audited financial statements filed annually with the FSC.
Tax Advantages
- GBCs are taxed at a flat 15% corporate tax rate, with up to 80% partial exemptions available on certain types of foreign income (e.g., dividends, interest, and capital gains), reducing the effective tax rate to as low as 3%.
- No capital gains tax, no withholding tax on dividends paid to non-residents, and no inheritance tax.
- Access to 40+ tax treaties, enabling reduced withholding tax rates and elimination of double taxation on cross-border income.
Ideal For
- Investment holding companies
- International trading firms
- Private equity and venture capital vehicles
- Intellectual property and royalty holding
- Financial services platforms
- Family office structures and wealth planning