WTC Mumbai recently hosted an interactive session with a high-level business delegation from Mauritius. The session was attended by Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman of WTC Mumbai; Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman; and Ms. Priya Pansare, Director of Trade and Investment Promotion, along with business representatives from four key sectors: Ayurveda and Healthcare, Advertising, Blockchain and AI, and Electronics.

The Mauritian delegation was led by Ms. Rehma Imrith, Managing Director of IQ-EQ Mauritius, and Ms. Lorna Pillay, Head of Debt, Capital Markets and Corporates at IQ-EQ. During the session, a presentation was made on the Mauritius International Financial Centre (IFC), positioning the country as an ideal investment destination. The presentation covered residency schemes, Mauritius’ Investment Protection Agreements, various tax and duty incentives, and highlighted the country’s strengths as an emerging global financial hub. Mauritius was portrayed as a strategic springboard for doing business in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

The delegation invited Indian companies to leverage the Mauritius IFC’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and its modern, innovative legal framework to expand their global presence.

Dr. Kalantri emphasized the historical ties between India and Mauritius and underlined the importance of collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, green manufacturing, and renewable energy. He also brought attention to some of the regulatory challenges faced by Indian industries operating in Mauritius.

The session included a productive discussion among Indian business representatives on topics such as regulatory and legal clarity, ease of doing business, and specific requirements like the mandatory employment of 30% local workers by foreign companies in Mauritius. Other topics discussed included the time required to set up a business, and the clauses and duration involved in winding up operations in the country.

The delegation shared that setting up a company in the Mauritius IFC typically takes 7 to 10 working days, while obtaining a business license in the local market can take as little as 2 to 3 working days. They also assured Indian businesses of Mauritius’ political stability and robust rule of law. It was noted that winding up a foreign business in Mauritius generally takes around six months, subject to settling creditors, with a “strike-off” clause available for quicker exits. Additionally, delegates were informed that appeals can be made to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom, which serves as the final court of appeal.

The session concluded on a positive note, with both sides expressing strong interest in fostering deeper economic cooperation. The exchange of ideas and insights underscored the potential for bilateral collaboration across a range of high-growth sectors. WTC Mumbai reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating meaningful engagements between Indian businesses and international partners, while the Mauritian delegation extended an open invitation to Indian enterprises to explore the vast opportunities available through the Mauritius IFC. The session served as a valuable platform to strengthen India–Mauritius business ties and chart a roadmap for future collaborations.

(From left to right) Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, WTC Mumbai and President All India Association of Industries interacting with Ms. Rehma Imrith, Managing Director- Mauritius, IQ-EQ and Ms. Lorna Pillay, Head of Debt, Capital Markets and Corporates, IQ-EQ during the session.

Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai (center) with Ms. Lorna Pillay, Head of Debt, Capital Markets and Corporates, IQ-EQ (4th from right). Also seen in the picture are Ms. Priya Pansare, Director- Trade and Investment Promotion, WTC Mumbai (4th from left) and Ms. Rehma Imrith, Managing Director- Mauritius, IQ-EQ (3rd from right) along with representatives from Indian companies.