Budget 2025-2026: Ease of Doing Business

1. Overview

The 2025/26 budget adopts a reform-driven approach to ease of doing business, primarily under the Economic Renewal pillar. The measures target simplification of permits and processes, digitalisation, workforce mobility, and investment facilitation through the Economic Development Board (EDB) and other institutions.

2. Key Highlights Related to Ease of Doing Business

A. Streamlining investment and business entry through administrative and regulatory simplification

The measures focus on removing administrative bottlenecks and modernising regulatory frameworks to facilitate smoother entry and operation of businesses and foreign professionals in Mauritius. The proposed measures aim to enhance efficiency, reduce compliance burdens, and improve the overall ease of doing business.

• Revamping the Lodging Accommodation Framework: Accommodation owners will be allowed to hold a single Lodging Accommodation Permit to centrally house foreign workers from multiple employers. This will facilitate the recruitment and housing of foreign labour by reducing administrative complexity for businesses.
• Extending the Tourist Accommodation & Enterprise Licences: The validity of these licences will be extended from 1 to 3 years, thereby reducing renewal frequency and administrative load for operators.
• Amending the Financial and Corporate Legislation: Key laws such as the Financial Services Act, the Banking Act, and the Bank of Mauritius Act will be amended. These reforms will allow cross-border investigations, simplify share transfers without change of control, empower the FSC to act against unlicensed operators, and extend the Bank of Mauritius’ oversight to FX transactions. These changes aim to align Mauritius with international standards and simplify compliance for investors.
• Launching a Unified FSC e-Licensing Platform: A new digital platform will centralise and streamline the financial services licensing process. It will include a KYC repository, real-time tracking dashboard, and AI-based virtual assistant. This platform is expected to significantly reduce time-to-market and enhance investor experience.

B. Facilitating Labour and Talent Mobility

The measures aim to facilitate the attraction, retention, and regulation of foreign talent by improving permit processes, aligning eligibility criteria with economic priorities, and simplifying compliance. These reforms support a more agile labour market while ensuring effective oversight and workforce planning.

• Reviewing and digitalisation of Occupation Permits (OP): The application and approval process for OPs will be streamlined through digitalisation. New OP categories will be introduced for non-citizen professionals based on revised salary thresholds, with varying durations of stay. For investors, two categories will be created based on initial investment and turnover, while self-employed criteria will be revised to include investment thresholds, turnover levels, and proof of local client engagement.
• Removing the expatriate bank guarantee requirement: The current guarantee requirement for expatriate workers will be abolished and replaced by an annual flat, non-refundable fee. Administrative processes will also be digitalised to improve transparency and processing efficiency.
• Introduction of a Unified Work and Residence Permit with Unique Identification Number: A single, combined work and residence permit bearing a unique identification number will be introduced for non-citizens. This will streamline administrative procedures and improve traceability.

C. Enhancing Trade Infrastructure & Logistics Efficiency

The measures address structural and operational improvements in the maritime and logistics infrastructure to support competitiveness and reduce trade costs.

• Investment in Port Infrastructure (Mauritius Ports Authority – Rs 5.4 Billion): Major projects include the expansion of the cruise jetty, construction of a new bunker barge jetty, acquisition of tugboats, and expansion of the Mauritius Container Terminal. These investments will boost port capacity, improve cruise and cargo services, and reinforce Mauritius’ position as a regional maritime hub.
• Operational Restructuring of Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd (CHCL): A comprehensive restructuring programme will be implemented to enhance operational efficiency. The objective is to restore Mauritius’ standing among the most efficient ports in the Indian Ocean, with direct benefits such as reduced congestion and shorter vessel turnaround times.
• Phasing Out of COVID-19-era Port Fee Subsidies: The 50% port fee waiver for exporters will be discontinued after June 2025. This measure supports financial sustainability of port operations and encourages efficient cost recovery.

Conclusion

The 2025/26 Budget presents a coherent and reform-oriented agenda to improve the ease of doing business in Mauritius. By addressing critical bottlenecks in business entry, labour mobility, and trade logistics, the proposed measures aim to modernise regulatory frameworks, reduce compliance burdens, and enhance operational efficiency across key sectors.