Doing Business in Singapore VS Mauritius – A Comparison
Entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish or expand their businesses in Asia often face a dilemma: should they choose Singapore or Mauritius? Both countries offer unique advantages, making the decision challenging. Singapore is renowned for its competitive business landscape, high quality of life, and cost-effectiveness for smaller businesses. On the other hand, Mauritius boasts a strategic location in the Indian Ocean, a strong reputation as a financial hub, and attractive tax incentives. This article explores the key factors to consider when deciding between these two destinations.
Singapore: Singapore offers unparalleled political stability, a transparent legal framework, and extensive government support for businesses, making it a global leader in ease of doing business.
Mauritius: Mauritius also provides political stability and a business-friendly legal framework, with a focus on attracting foreign investment through pro-business policies.
Taxation
Singapore: Singapore has a competitive corporate tax rate of 17%, along with various tax incentives and no capital gains tax, making it an attractive destination for businesses.
Mauritius: Mauritius offers an even lower corporate tax rate of 15%, along with tax treaties and exemptions, but also has no capital gains tax, which appeals to global investors.
Ease of Company Incorporation
Singapore: Singapore’s incorporation process is highly efficient, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and a streamlined regulatory environment that allows businesses to be set up within a day.
Mauritius: Mauritius also offers a straightforward incorporation process, with online systems and a focus on facilitating foreign direct investment in key industries.
Cost of Living and Business Operations
Singapore: While Singapore is known for its high living costs, it offers relatively lower costs for setting up and operating smaller businesses compared to other global financial hubs.
Mauritius: Mauritius has a lower cost of living and operational expenses, making it an attractive option for businesses seeking affordability in both personal and professional spheres.
Access to Markets
Singapore: Singapore’s strategic location in Asia, extensive trade agreements, and world-class connectivity make it a gateway to global markets, particularly in Southeast Asia.
Mauritius: Mauritius serves as a bridge between Asia and Africa, offering access to African markets and benefiting from trade agreements with multiple regions.
Quick Comparison Overview
Here’s a quick overview of the key differences for easy reference:
Factor
Singapore
Mauritius
Business Environment
Highly stable, transparent legal framework, strong government support.
Stable, pro-business policies, focused on foreign investment.
Corporate Tax Rate
17%
15%
Capital Gains Tax
None
None
Ease of Incorporation
Highly efficient, digital infrastructure, 1-day setup.
Straightforward, online systems, FDI-friendly.
Business Costs
Higher living costs but cost-effective for small businesses.
Lower living and operational costs.
Market Access
Global connectivity, gateway to Southeast Asia.
Bridge between Asia and Africa, access to African markets.
Singapore offers unparalleled political stability, a transparent legal framework, and strong government support for businesses. For more information, check out this guide on starting a business in Singapore.
Singapore provides a highly efficient and digitalized incorporation process, while Mauritius offers a straightforward process with developing online systems. Learn more about company registration in Singapore.
The process for company incorporation in Singapore is highly efficient, supported by advanced digital infrastructure, and allows businesses to be set up within a day.
3E Accounting offers comprehensive company incorporation services, corporate secretarial assistance, and other business solutions.
Singapore’s strategic location in Asia, extensive trade agreements, and world-class connectivity make it a gateway to global markets. Learn more about setting up businesses in Singapore.
Abigail Yu oversees executive leadership at 3E Accounting Group, leading operations, IT solutions, public relations, and digital marketing to drive business success. She holds an honors degree in Communication and New Media from the National University of Singapore and is highly skilled in crisis management, financial communication, and corporate communications.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.