Mauritius is strategically located in the Indian Ocean, where it has a favourable time zone (GMT +4). Mauritius possesses a long history of free enterprise. Politically, Mauritius has long been following the tradition of democratically electing government officials and has thus enjoyed political stability for decades. Comprehensive legislation was introduced to pave the way for non-banking offshore activities, following the set up of the first offshore bank in August 1989. The Offshore Authority was set up in November 1992. This played a crucial role in establishing and developing the offshore sector at large. The Authority has adopted a professional and pragmatic regulatory approach by continuously improving on its services and guiding operators as to how they can enhance the competitiveness of the Mauritius offshore jurisdiction. The Financial Services Act 2007 (FSA Act) also allows for the Financial Services Commission (FSC) to act as a one-stop shop in all matters relating to global business. Continue Reading

Seychelles is an independent republic that belongs to the British Commonwealth. Seychelles is made up of a group of islands found in the Indian Ocean, with its largest island being Mahé and it’s capital at Victoria. Although English is the primary language used for business matters, other official languages of Seychelles are French and Creole. With a very stable government and attractive tax conditions, Seychelles is one of the best places to begin an offshore business. Continue Reading

Belize is a small Caribbean nation located in Central America, flanked by Mexico on the northwest side and Guatemala on the western and southern sides. Formerly known as British Honduras, the country came to be known as Belize in June 1973. The capital of this nation, which is the only English-speaking country in Central America, shifted from Belize City to Belmopan in the 1970’s. Belize is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The Cabinet is led by the Prime Minister, who serves as the head of government along with cabinet ministers, who usually hold elected seats. Queen Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor-General, is also a member of the Cabinet. Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as well as the Sistema de Integración Centroamericana (SICA). Continue Reading