The Economic Development Board (EDB), host agency of the ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub, successfully hosted the fifth and final session of the SheInvests: Financial Literacy Training Series for Women Entrepreneurs on 14 August 2026 at the EDB Offices in Ebene. The Financial Literacy series were organized in collaboration with the Indian Business Council (IBC). The last session, entitled “Managing Your Business Taxes,” brought together women entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen their financial knowledge, improve their decision-making capabilities and build more resilient and sustainable businesses.
In her welcome remarks, Mrs Nirmala Jeetah, Director of Healthcare & Life Sciences and ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub at the EDB, reaffirmed the Hub’s commitment to equipping women-led businesses with the knowledge, skills and practical tools required to navigate an increasingly competitive and uncertain business environment. She also acknowledged the valuable partnership of the Indian Business Council in supporting initiatives that enhance the capabilities, confidence and resilience of women entrepreneurs.
Reflecting on the journey undertaken throughout the financial literacy series, Mrs Jeetah highlighted that the previous sessions had addressed several critical areas of business finance, including cash flow management, break-even analysis, financial risk management and insurance, as well as financial planning for business growth. She emphasised that taxation should not be viewed merely as a statutory obligation, but as an integral component of sound financial and business management.
In her remarks she stated ‘for an entrepreneur, taxation is not simply about meeting an obligation. It is about understanding your responsibilities, planning your finances effectively, maintaining proper records and making informed business decisions,”. She further stressed that having a good understanding of the tax system can help entrepreneurs avoid unnecessary risks, manage cash flow more effectively and ultimately strengthen the financial health of their businesses. She encouraged participants to translate the knowledge acquired throughout the series into practical actions that would support the continued growth and success of their enterprises.
The technical session was delivered by Mr Amit Gupta, Founder and Group Chairman of AMG Group, and Mr Kailash Ramkissoon, Executive Director of Infinitas Cliens Focus Accounting Services Limited. Drawing on their extensive experience in finance, taxation and business advisory, the speakers provided participants with practical and relevant insights into why understanding taxation is essential for business owners and how effective tax management can contribute to better financial planning and business sustainability.
The session provided an overview of key taxation concepts relevant to businesses, including Value Added Tax (VAT), input VAT and output VAT, as well as the distinction between zero-rated and exempt supplies. Participants were also guided through the taxation of business profits, deductible expenses and some of the common tax mistakes made by SMEs. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of tax planning, maintaining proper records and ensuring compliance with applicable tax obligations. The discussion also extended to international business considerations, including taxation in Rwanda and the repatriation of profits, providing participants with a broader perspective on the tax implications that may arise as their businesses expand into regional and international markets.
The practical nature of the session encouraged participants to consider taxation not simply as a compliance requirement, but as an important element of overall business strategy. Understanding tax obligations, anticipating tax liabilities and maintaining accurate financial records can enable entrepreneurs to plan their cash flow more effectively, minimise avoidable risks and make better-informed decisions regarding investments, expansion and business growth.
The session was further enriched by an interactive question-and-answer, during which participants engaged directly with the speakers and raised practical questions relating to taxation and financial management. The exchange demonstrated the relevance of the topics covered to the day-to-day realities faced by women entrepreneurs and reflected the growing interest among women-led businesses in strengthening their financial capabilities and developing greater confidence in managing their financial and regulatory responsibilities.
One of the key messages emerging from the session was the importance of being proactive in managing business taxation. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to understand their obligations, maintain sound financial records, plan ahead for tax liabilities and seek appropriate professional guidance where required. Such practices can help businesses avoid unnecessary penalties and risks while creating a stronger foundation for effective financial management and sustainable growth.
The conclusion of the fifth session marked an important milestone in the SheInvests Financial Literacy Training Series, which has provided participating women entrepreneurs with a broad range of practical financial knowledge. From understanding cash flow and break-even points to managing financial risks, assessing insurance needs, planning for business growth and navigating taxation, the series has sought to strengthen the financial capabilities required to manage and grow a business with greater confidence and resilience.
Strong financial literacy empowers entrepreneurs to make informed decisions, identify opportunities, manage risks and build financially sustainable enterprises capable of supporting long-term growth.
With the completion of the final session, the SheInvests Financial Literacy Training Series will now culminate in the awarding of certificates to participants who took part in the training series, recognising their commitment to strengthening their financial knowledge and investing in the continued development of their businesses.
Through initiatives such as SheInvests, the EDB through the ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub continue to advance their commitment to empowering women-led businesses through targeted capacity-building programmes. By strengthening financial literacy and business management capabilities, these initiatives contribute to building a stronger, more resilient and sustainable women entrepreneurship ecosystem in Mauritius.
