home > schemes and services > incentives and support for smes   for more details contact : SMIDO Business Counselling Unit tel : 233 05 00 fax : 233 55 45 email : bcu@intnet.mu Incentives and Support to SMEs 1. Support offered by SMIDO Service/Scheme   Details Export Credit Guarantee Insurance Scheme Joint effort of SMIDO and SICOM Ltd Protects the exporting SME against failure of buyer to pay all export transactions after shipment Pays 85% of the invoice value to the policyholder in cases of default   Export Assistance Scheme Financial support to enable SMEs forward samples of their products abroad to prospective buyers 50% refund on airfreight subject to a maximum of Rs. 2000 twice a year   Start-Up Scheme Financial support of up to a maximum of Rs. 100,000 to entrepreneurs to set up their enterprise Prospective recipients have to enter Business Plan Competition   Training, Consultancy and Benchmarking Impart new and develop latent Skills, and Knowledge of entrepreneurs in various areas/fields through Training programmes, workshops and seminars Company analysis and guidance   Business Counselling and Information Information and guidance to potential and existing entrepreneurs Assist entrepreneurs to prepare or update a comprehensive business plan Monitoring of business and advice   Feasibility Study Grant Scheme Grant equivalent to 50% of the costs of a feasibility study for a viable project Max. amount granted - Rs. 75,000 Study is to be undertaken by an approved consultant/consultancy firm 2. Support offered by MIDA (Mauritius Industrial Development Authority) Service/Scheme   Details Export Business Support Scheme Financial support for participation in trade missions organised by MIDA - funding of up to 75% of cost of stand and 25% refund on the cost of air tickets Financial support for participation in other trade shows - funding of up to 60% of cost of stand and 25% refund on the cost of air tickets International Credit Checking Service - 50% refund on the cost of each search effected, subject to a max. of 5 company checks per annum   SME Exhibition Centre Virtual Exhibition Centre Showcase and Communicate products of SMEs to both local and foreign buyers.   Industrial Buildings/Estates Rental of industrial buildings tailor-made for SMEs   Overseas Market Testing Free testing of products in selected markets   Assistance, Advice and Information Advice on Development of Promotional Tools Advice on Export Documentation Product Information in selected markets Assistance in Market Research Trade Information Centre Assistance and guidance for marketing trips 3. Loans offered by DBM Ltd (Development Bank of Mauritius Ltd) Scheme Max. Quantum Allocated Max. Loan Amount Interest Rate (per annum) Term (years) Start-ups 90% of cost of project Rs 200 000 8% 4 Financing of Production Equipment 70% of cost of equipment Rs 3 m 10 - 11% 5 Technology Improvement Scheme 60% of cost of project Rs 1 m 9% 6 Working Capital 70% of cost of stock Rs 400 000 to Rs 1 m 10 - 12% 4 Business Sector 70% of project costs Rs 3 m 12% 5 Construction of Office & Commercial Space 70% of project cost Rs 3 m 12% 7 Construction of Industrial Building 60% to 90% of project costs Rs 3 m 11.5% to 12% 10 Printing & Publishing 60% of cost of new equipment Rs 3 m 10% 5 Local Newspaper 60% of the cost modernisation Rs 2 m 8% 5 General Service 70% of cost of project Rs 3 m 12% 5 Freeport Sector 75% of working capital requirements Rs 1 m 12% 5 ICT Sector 75% of cost of project Rs 1 to 5 m 8% 5 Joint Venture with Overseas Partners   Rs 1 m 10% 6 Export Development Fund (for Overseas Market Surveys and Participation in Trade Fairs) 70% of project cost Rs 100 000 3% 3 4. Selected Investment Schemes Scheme/Certificate Qualifying Activities Key Incentives Export Enterprise Manufacture of goods principally for exports No customs duty or VAT on raw materials and equipment Corporate tax of 15% No tax on dividends and capital gains 60% remission of customs duties on buses of 15-25 seats 50% exemption on the normal registration fee for the purchase of land and buildings 50% relief on personal income tax for 2 expatriate staff   Pioneer Status Enterprise Activities involving above average technology and skills Activities likely to enhance industrial and technological development No customs duty on raw materials and equipment as per schedule list Corporate tax of 15% No tax on dividends   Strategic Local Enterprise Manufacture of goods for local market Activity likely to further economic, industrial and technological development Corporate tax of 15% No tax on dividends   Small and Medium Enterprise Manufacturing activity subject to an investment in production equipment not exceeding Rs 10m No customs duty on production equipment and raw materials as per schedule list Corporate tax of 15%   Freeport Enterprise Operations in the Freeport Goods for export only Storage, assembly, redistribution and logistics No Corporate tax No tax on dividends No customs duty on raw materials, goods and production equipment Reduced port handling charges for all goods destined for re-export 5. Useful Addresses Organisation   Address Small and Medium Industries Development Organisation (SMIDO) Address Industrial Zone Coromandel Telephone 233 5030 233 5712 233 5713 233 5714 Fax 233 5545 Email smido@intnet.mu Website http://smido.intnet.mu   Mauritius Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) Address BAI Building 25 Pope Hennessy Street Port Louis Telephone 208 7750 Fax 208 5965 Email mida@media.intnet.mu Website http://ncb.intnet.mu/mida   Development Bank of Mauritius (DBM) Ltd Address Chaussée Street Port Louis Telephone 208 0241 208 0242 208 0243 Fax 208 8498 Email dbm@intnet.mu Website http://www.dbm-ltd.com   Board of Investment (BOI) Address Victoria House Corner St Louis & Line Barracks Streets Port Louis Telephone 211 4190 Fax 208 2924 Email investment@intnet.mu Website http://www.boimauritius.com   Mauritius Freeport Authority (MFA) Address Trade & Marketing Centre Zone 6, Mer Rouge Port Louis Telephone 206 2500 Fax 206 2600 Email mfa@efreeport.com Website http://freeport.gov.mu