In the same year he took up the role of Chairman and Director of International Financial Services ("IFS"), a large management company in Mauritius.

In 2016, he became the Chairman of Sanne Group PLC's Mauritius branch, following its acquisition of IFS.

Dr Sithanen comes from a modest background, due to poverty he was forced to abandon school to work at an early age.

[1] Later on, during his mandate as Finance minister he obtained a PhD in Politics at the age of 51, while his thesis was 'An examination of alternative electoral systems for Mauritius' from Brunel University.

[2] He was honored by the President and was promoted to the highest rank in the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean and received the grade of Grand Commander and therefore use the prefix Hon.