Mauritius has steadily built a reputation as a modern, transparent, and investor-friendly international financial centre. Its robust legal structure, favourable tax regime, and well-regulated environment make it an ideal base for firms offering trading and brokerage services.
Investment dealer licensed company in Mauritius for sale can be engaged in a wide spectrum of securities-related activities across global markets.
Why Choose This Jurisdiction?
Several key factors position the region as a jurisdiction of choice for fiscal offerings:
- The country boasts a hybrid legal system drawing from English common law and French civil law, supported by an independent judiciary;
- The nation has a well-regarded regulatory framework aligned with global norms in areas such as AML, info safeguard, and corporate governance;
- With over 40 DTAs in place, the region offers significant tax planning advantages for multinational operations;
- The FSC ensures efficient licensing processes, with clear capital and abidance benchmarks.
Types and Scope of Activities
The permit is flexible so that it could cover a wide variety of business models and risk appetites. It can be categorized into four primary categories, each allowing for the performance of some types of securities-related activity:
- Full Service (Including Underwriting);
- Full Service (Excluding Underwriting);
- Broker;
- Discount Broker.
A licensee may act as an intermediary, or trade as a principal, underwrite securities, provide investment advice, or simply execute orders on behalf of clients, depending on the category.
The licensing structure allows entities to elect the type of permit that best suits their strategy, capital structure, and level of market engagement.
Full-Service, Broker, and Discount Broker
Each of them is created to match different kinds of monetary entities:
- Full Service (Including Underwriting): This is the most complete permit. It allows a company to trade on behalf of clients, trade for itself, underwrite new securities, give investment tips, and manage investment portfolios;
- Full Service (Excluding Underwriting): This is for organizations that want to offer trading and advice services but do not want to underwrite securities;
- Investment Dealer (Broker): This type allows an organization to carry out trades, give investment tips, and manage portfolios. The company must explain its entity plan clearly when applying;
- Investment Dealer (Discount Broker): This is the most basic permit. It only allows the company to execute trades—no advice or portfolio management is allowed. It is often used by online trading platforms.
Each permit type is created to suit a different level of offering and risk, so enterprises can choose the one that best fits their business model.
Role of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Licensing and Supervision
The FSC serves as the primary regulatory body, ensuring market integrity and backer protection. The FSC conducts assessment on all applicants, evaluating:
- The firm’s business plan and operating model;
- Internal control systems and governance;
- Backgrounds of promoters, directors, and key personnel.
Post-licensing, entities must submit audited fiscal statements, AML/CFT abidance reports, and regular regulatory filings.
Key Licensing Requirements: Capital, Substance, and Compliance Criteria
Applicants must meet specific operational and governance standards:
- As per licence type, capital must be unimpaired and continuously maintained;
- Entities must have a local office, staff, and real economic activity in the region;
- Appointment of MLRO, Deputy MLRO, and a Compliance Officer is mandatory;
- Detailed business plan for any platform must be submitted with the permit application;
- Firms must implement systems to prevent misuse of client or insider information;
- Staff must hold relevant credentials and experience, subject to FSC approval.
Benefits of Operating with an Investment Dealer Licence in Mauritius
Setting up under permit offers clear strategic benefits:
- Clarity and consistency in the regulatory structure reduces operational risk;
- The region provides streamlined access to key markets in Africa, Asia, and Europe;
- Reasonable capital thresholds and abidance costs suit both startups and established players;
- Backers benefit from the country’s stable governance and legal reliability.
Assistance in getting a permit
Eternity Law International provides a turnkey application preparation and submission service. Our specialists:
- advise on the requirements and strategy for obtaining a permit;
- help collect and prepare the necessary papers;
- interact with the local regulator;
- support the process until obtaining a permit.
This significantly saves the applicant’s time, reduces the risks of refusal and guarantees abidance by all legal rules.