Maurice
Foreign direct investment in Mauritius
Mauritius has not received much FDI but what it has received has had great impact. Domestic savings and local investment have always been more important for growth than foreign investment. But, FDI was instrumental in diversifying the economy and, with that, the expansion of exports and the creation of many new and better paid jobs and skills.
Preface
The UNCTAD Investment Policy Reviews are intended to familiarize Governments and the international private sector with an individual country's investment environment and policies. The reviews are presented at the UNCTAD Commission on Investment, Technology and Related Financial Issues.
Strategic perspective: Enhancing the role of FDI in development
Mauritius has done extremely well given its constraints. To have succeeded in building a strong economy, managing the complex ethnic relations and still be able to sustain a vibrant democracy over the past three decades are commendable achievements. The high quality of expertise in the public sector is striking given the small population base.
Main conclusions
FDI has supported past initiatives of Mauritius to achieve economic diversification. FDI is even more crucial today as a tool to support strategic objectives and help move Mauritius to the next stage of development. Mauritius is well poised to take advantage of growing opportunities in the region and has identified potential in regional business and high value financial services. FDI can bring with it the capital, products, and upgraded technical and financial management skills needed to achieve this.
Investment potential in selected sectors
Mauritius has the potential to attract FDI of a higher quantity and quality commensurate with the fundamental strengths and opportunities that its economy offers. It ranks second among the African countries on the Africa Competitiveness Index35 and first on Country Credit Rating by Institutional Investor. Among its many strengths, are a record of political stability, good law and order,developed physical infrastructure, a bilingual workforce, strong legal institutions, modern company laws and a liberal and pro-business environment. It is also a signatory to numerous bilateral and multilateral tax and investment treaties.
Introduction
Mauritius is an economic success story. The economy has sustained high 6 per cent annual growth for two decades – first driven by sugar, then textiles and clothing, and tourism, and most recently by financial services. Economic growth and structural change were achieved while maintaining national stability and social cohesion. A generation of Mauritians has enjoyed a rise in living standards that few countries can match, reaching an income per capita of $4,000 today. What was once, only another commodity producer, today is the leading manufactures exporter in sub-Saharan Africa.
No. 29300. Banque Internationale pour la Reconstruction et le Développement et Maurice
Loan Agreement-Industrial and Vocational Training Project (with schedules and General Conditions Applicable to Loan and Guarantee Agreements dated 1 January 1985). Signed at Paris on 5 November 1991
No. 27150. États-Unis d’Amérique et Maurice
Accord relatif à la vente de produits agricoles (avec procèsverbal de négociation). Signé à Port-Louis le 8 avril 1982
No. 29990. France et Maurice
Convention on international mutual administrative assistance for the prevention, investigation and suppression of customs offences. Signed at Paris on 5 April 1991
No. 27596. États-Unis d’Amérique et Maurice
Record relatif à la veute de produits agricoles (avec procèsverbal de la réunion de négociatiou). Signé à Port-Louis le 30 décembre 1982