We are observing, with satisfaction,
that certain governmental organizations are making a real effort to evolve.
The recent Board of Investment (BOI) scandal has pushed decision makers to
react – and they are doing so in very notable manner to transform what was once
a stagnant and, to a certain extent, corrupt institution into a healthier one. It
is undeniable that updating oneself every now and then is necessary, especially
if one wants to keep pace in this fast changing world where information sharing
has reached a hike. Mauritius is indeed riding on this tidal wave and we’re
glad to see that some people of influence are not just sleeping on the laurels.
When it comes to foreign investment and
residency, the the BOI is key and almost inevitable. I use the term almost
inevitable because there is at least one scheme where a foreigner can invest,
work & live in Mauritius without going through the BOI. This scheme is the
Work & Residence permit scheme, operated by the Ministry of Labour and the
Passport & Immigration Office. I have always been somewhat virulent
in my previous comments towards the BOI. This is largely because I have
always felt strongly against the inconsistency in their decisions, the ever
changing rules & regulations (which are rarely communicated, if at all) and
the arrogance of certain officers.
But things are changing at the BOI and I
want to be the first to acknowledge and congratulate them for the effort.
BOI heads have finally seen what I was saying for years. There is a visible
change in the way applications are treated.
The front desk officers now realise that foreigners have other destination
choices too, some of which are more interesting than our paradise island. Our duty is indeed to scrutinize, select and
encourage the influx of real business & clean money. The new
procedure in place is as follows: an application for Occupation Permit goes
first through the Passport & Immigration Office (PIO) desk. Once the
documents & records are found to be clean, applicants are allowed to move
to next step: the BOI counter. This may seem to be a small change but in
the eyes of professionals it has a greater meaning. This change has removed the
dependency on the BOI and eliminates the risks of corruption by splitting
responsibilities between two highly important bodies: the BOI & the
PIO. Secondly, it gives due importance to the PIO which is the actual
authority issuing and controlling Occupation Permits and leaves the BOI to
shoulder its part as a mere facilitator.
To further avoid risks of unnecessary
intervention by unqualified and pseudo consultants, the BOI is now registering
official & known consultants (Gibson & Hills Ltd is one of them!).
People accompanying investors or other applicants to the BOI are now requested
to officially register themselves with the BOI and after a screening process;
they are either registered or rejected. This measure obviously reduces
unwarranted interventions and protects foreigners from ‘offers to buy’ their
permits.
If I could apply the definition of unavoidable
to one institution, it would be to the Registrar of Companies (ROC). In
fact, any foreigner who wants to invest, work or live in Mauritius has to go
through the ROC (with the exception to expatriates who are not promoters of a business
as well as retired persons). If one wants to apply for an Occupation
Permit as Investor or Self-Employed, one needs to first register one’s company
or oneself at the ROC.
The ROC has always been an exemplary
body and has always made the extra effort to stay updated in terms of
legislation, procedures, and technology. It is among the first to provide
a computerized system for the public to access data on registered companies. One
cannot but think aloud that this may be due to the fact that it does not have a
political nominee at its head (!?). Stability and vision of the ROC’s
management over the years definitely earned the ROC its reputation as one of
the most respectable and respected para-statal body on the island.
Some recent changes last week shows that
the ROC is one step ahead; again. The ROC has upgraded all its
paperwork. All the forms required for company incorporation and
registration of changes have been redesigned with a visually more appealing
look, enhanced user-friendliness with provision for full computerization. I bet
that once the E-Government concept becomes a reality, the ROC will be the first
in the race. They even sport a barcode on their forms now! At least
someone knows what Cyber-Island means!
A last change has cost Rs50 million to
the Government: the complete revamping of the governmental portal and its
websites. These have become more user-friendly with simplified navigation, and definitely
pave the way for the E-Government.
I thought worth writing about these
little changes that albeit show a lot about our country’s strategic move to become
an international business destination.
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