Section 9: Application for freeport certificate

9. Application for freeport certificate (1) Subject to this section, every application for a freeport certificate shall be made in accordance with the Investment Promotion Act. (2) Where an application has been made pursuant to subsection (1), the provisions of the Investment Promotion Act shall be construed with such modifications, adaptations, qualifications and exceptions as may be necessary to bring them in conformity with this Act. (3) No person shall make an application for a freeport certificate unless the person is a company or a co-operative society and is not engaged in any business activity outside the freeport zone. (4) An application under subsection (1) shall be made in such manner and in such form as the Managing Director may approve and shall specify— (a) the full name and address of the applicant; (b) the freeport zone in which the applicant intends to operate; (c) the freeport activities to be carried out by the applicant; and (d) such other information or particulars as may be required in the form of application. (5) On receipt of an application, the Managing Director— (a) may require the applicant to give such further information as may be necessary for the determination of the application; and [Issue 7] F23 – 6 Revised Laws of Mauritius (b) shall forthwith refer the application to the Board with recommendations, observations and comments. (6) The Board may— (a) reject an application and notify the applicant of the rejection; (b) refer the application back to the Managing Director for further information; or (c) approve the application on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit. (7) Where an application is approved or rejected under subsection (6), the Managing Director shall notify the applicant— (a) in the case of an application for a freeport certificate of freeport developer, or freeport operator engaged in manufacturing or processing activities, within 30 days of the effective date of the application; or (b) in any other case, within 15 days of the effective date of the application. (8) For the purposes of subsection (7), “effective date” means the date by which all the information, particulars and documents specified in the application form or the further information sought under subsection (5) are submitted.