Company Categories in Mauritius

Public Company

  • Listed on the Official List of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius.
  • Shares or class of shares admitted to quotation.

Private Company

  • Cannot have more than 50 shareholders.
  • Cannot offer shares or debentures to the public.
  • May restrict the transfer of its shares.
  • Considered small if the turnover of the last preceding period is less than MUR 10 million.
  • Can be a one-person company where the sole shareholder is also the sole director.

Traditional Companies

1. Companies Limited by Shares

  • Shareholders’ liability is limited to the amount unpaid on their shares.

2. Companies Limited by Guarantee

  • Members’ liability is limited to the amount they undertake to contribute in the event of winding up.

3. Unlimited Companies

  • Members have unlimited liability for the company’s debts.

Special Types of Companies

1. Companies Limited by Shares and Guarantee

  • Combines features of both limited by shares and limited by guarantee companies.

2. Limited Life Companies (LLCs)

  • Designed for a specific duration, automatically dissolved at the end of that period.

Other Company Classifications

1. Holding Company

  • Controls another company through board composition or voting shares.
  • The other company is considered a subsidiary.

2. Foreign Company

  • Incorporated outside Mauritius.
  • Has a place of business or is carrying on business in Mauritius.
  • Registered in Mauritius as a foreign company.

Global Business Companies (GBCs)

  • Any of the above-mentioned companies can hold a Global Business License.
  • Managed by a management company licensed under the Financial Services Development Act (FSD Act).

Management Companies

  • Licensed under the FSD Act.
  • Set up and manage Global Business Companies.

Dormant Companies

  • Declared dormant for periods with no significant accounting transactions.
  • Exempt from auditing accounts.
  • Benefit from reduced license fees.

Key Points

  • Public companies are listed on the Stock Exchange, while private companies have restrictions on the number of shareholders and public offering of shares.
  • Small private companies are defined by having a turnover of less than MUR 10 million.
  • One-person private companies allow the sole shareholder to be the sole director.
  • Holding companies control subsidiaries either through board composition or voting shares.
  • Foreign companies must be registered to do business in Mauritius.
  • Global Business Companies are regulated under the FSD Act and managed by licensed management companies.
  • Dormant companies are exempt from certain regulatory requirements due to inactivity.

This framework ensures a diverse and structured corporate environment in Mauritius, accommodating various business needs and structures.