About the Republic of Mauritius
Over the years, Mauritius has made it to the league of successful developing economies by adopting international norms and best practices and promoting a business friendly environment. Located in the Indian Ocean, off the Eastern coast of Africa with nearly 1.28 million inhabitants, the country has achieved remarkable economic, political and social success, based on good governance and an exceptional use of trade preferences for sugar and clothing exports. At independence in 1968, the country's per capita income was about USD 260. Today, it is an upper middle income country, with a 2008 per capita income of approximately USD 7,300 (USD 15,200 in terms of Purchasing Power Parity), one among the highest in Africa. The country’s ability to profit from the trade opportunities testifies to its institutional strengths – a stable democracy and rule of law; multi-ethnicity and macroeconomic stability.
The Mauritian Government’s objective to place Mauritius among the top ten most investment and business friendly locations in the world has led to a total makeover of the business and investment climate, making Mauritius a premier investment destination. Since 2006, major reforms have been introduced which have helped remove obstacles in the investment chain. Companies can now incorporate within three days; investors and professionals are increasingly being encouraged to travel, work and live in Mauritius without any difficulty and last but not least, the country has introduced a flat and harmonized tax rate of 15% for income and corporate taxes. As a result, Mauritius offers the best environment for businesses to start, grow and expand in Africa. This is further confirmed by the recent 2010 World Bank Doing Business report where Mauritius has been promoted to the 17th position globally and the country maintains its first position in Africa. The 2009 Ibrahim Index of African Governance has equally ranked Mauritius as the best economy in Africa for governance.
The Government of Mauritius has embarked on a bold, multi-year program of structural transformation aimed at restoring macroeconomic balance and diversifying the economy into new growth sectors such as Financial Services, ICT/BPO, seafood, knowledge, healthcare and high end tourism. The objective is to engineer a far reaching transformation of the economy capable of sustaining the Mauritian miracle for future generations. The country grew at an annual rate of 5% in 2008 and is set to grow at 2.7% in 2009; the fall in growth rate mainly explained by the slowdown in economic activities worldwide. The Mauritian financial intermediation sector grew at 10.6% in 2008, while the ICT/BPO and tourism sectors grew at an average rate of 25% and 2.7% respectively for the same period. Private sector investments grew by 10% in 2008 and public sector investment is set to rebound by 47.5% in 2009.
Over the years, Mauritius has earned recognition as the regional hub for investments into Africa and Asia and as a major platform for the delivery of global business services. Successive governments have been implementing Mauritius’ vision for its future by restructuring and innovating the sugar and textiles industries, introducing modern legislations to facilitate and regulate the delivery of global business services, and further attracting FDI in growth sectors like infrastructure and connectivity, properties and hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, seafood, logistics, creative and media, ICT and financial services to mention a few key sectors. In line with its ‘Maurice Ile Durable’ concept, the Government is equally emphasizing a lot on attracting investments in green data centres, renewable energies and other green eco-friendly projects.
Coordinating Ministries
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International and Regional Cooperation
Port louis Mauritius
Tel: 2012123
Fax: 2126764/2088087
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Secretary General
Mauritius Chamber of Commerce & Industry
3 Royal Street
PORT LOUIS
(Tlx 4277);
Tel 2083301;
Fax 2080076
Manufacturing Association
Export Promotion Board
BAI Building,
25 Pope Hennessy Street,
P.O Box 1184,
Port Louis,
Mauritius
Tel: (230) 208 7750
Fax: (230) 208 5965
Email:
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Alternate email:
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Travel/Tourism