The Embassy of Mali

The Investor's guide

The Single Counter: This One-Stop Shop brings together in one place, the administrative departments involved in issuing documents required to create an enterprise.

It aims at:

• simplifying and speeding up administrative procedures for the creation of enterprises;
• reducing the deadlines of acquiring formal approval;
• building trust between the Government and investors
• increasing State services’ efficiency;
• Promoting private investment.
• The Single Counter carries out the following services:
  • Provides with application forms and all other required documents;
  • Provides with administrative and legal guidance
  • Issue authorizations to operate.

The Single Counter covers the following sector of activities: industries, building and public constructions, real estate, architecture offices, consulting firms, engineer offices, culture, tourism, public transportation of people and goods, establishments rated dangerous, insalubrious and uncomfortable

Free Trade Arrangements

Mali is a member of the Economic and Monetary Union of West African States (UEMOA) which aims to introduce a common market and free trade in goods, labor, capital and services.  Mali is also a member of the larger grouping of ECOWAS - Economic Community of West African States which aims to promote economic integration between member states such as by eliminating trade barriers.
There is no free-trade zone in Mali, however there are bonded warehouses for goods in transit and export-zone status is granted to companies if all products are to be exported, which also qualifies them for tax-free status.

The legislation:

Mali tax and regulatory environment is very attractive and ever-improving

• At the level of the Investment Code

in addition to the traditional conditions provided to investors (exemption from trading license and tax on incomes derived from trade and manufacture as well as the contribution to trade licenses and corporate tax for 5 to 8 years for A and B regimes respectively), the investment code provides:

1- Exemption from import taxes and duties on construction equipment and materials needed for investments and tax benefits during the implementation phase (3 years),

2- A four-year supplementary exemption for enterprises adding value to local resources.

• At the level of investment guarantees

Foreign investors enjoy the same privileges as national investors and are allowed to transfer their capital and incomes in the original currencies in which the investments were made.

Approval under the investment code is also valid for the granting of any guarantee as stipulated in Article 15 of the Treaty establishing the MIGA (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency) signed by  Mali in October 1990.

Mali ratified:
-The Convention of 18 March 1965 creating the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes between states and citizens of other states (CSID) established under the auspices of the World Bank;
-The Treaty of 17 October 1993 establishing the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA) of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA).

Simplification of procedures

There is a one-stop shop for the simplification of administrative procedures relating to investment: The Single Counter

Mali is a member of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) which comprises 15 francophone African countries who have agreed to harmonize their business practices and laws, guaranteeing international arbitration in disputes. Mali has signed the CIRDI Treaty sponsored by the World Bank group and is also engaged in bilateral investment agreements with South Africa, Algeria and Senegal.

• Tax incentives:
• Investment Law:
• Labor: Employees ‘rights are protected by internationally recognized labor provisions

Labor working period: 40 hours for a 5-day week, from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm with a break of 30 minutes except Friday when the hours are from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm with a break of 2 hours.

Wage: is freely negotiated between the employer and the employee, but cannot be lower than the Guaranteed Minimum Wage (SMIG)

Intellectual Property Rights

The National Directorate of Industries is responsible for the protection of intellectual property rights. These include the WTO agreement and the law fully covers patents, copyrights and trademarks.

Links:  Investment Guide to Mali