Page 31 - DIVA_1_2007_No.28

efficiency of our infrastructu- real estate development, infor-
res,improving the Mauritius mation and communication
offering, and aggressive technology, seafood and mari-
investment promotion ne industry, land-based ocea-
nic industry, biomedical and
Strategically situated at the health services industry, kno-
crossroads of major trade wledge industry, media and
routes between Asia and entertainemnt industry, finan-
Africa, Australia and Europe, cial services industry, textile &
and enjoying strong historical fashion industry, logistics and
links with European Union distribution, value added
and the USA, Mauritius offers manufacturing and light pro-
ready access to a global cessing, and biotechnology.
market, through its members-
hips to key bilateral and multi- f-D.0
The island was
The ocean remains one of the most promising pillar of develop-
national trade agreements, not known fuir its sugar technolo-
ment for Mauritius.
to
gj' and agronomy as well as
mention
sourcing
opportunities from the African for its textile and clothing Cybercitr' is already a sin- in Mauritius and is the role
subcontinent industry. To-díiv, following cess? model for future ICT-
the erosion of trade prefrren- connected communities in this
R. J The BOl fully supports
The regional and international ces part of the world. Situated in
to the refor,ns
of
trade agreements confer prefe- the European Unions sugar and implements the vision of the picturesque neighbour-
rential market access to local regime and the dismantling of the Government of Mauritius hood of Ebéne, at just 15
products into the markets of the Multi-Fibre 4greeinent in unlocking the potential of minutes drive from the capital
member and adherent coun- (MEl), these two industries the ICT sector for Mauritius. city and less than an hour's
tries in the European Union, have lost their coinpeutive To date over 150 companies drive from the International
USA and Africa, provided that advantages. Now the govern- are currently operational in the Airport, the CyberCity
the rules of origin criteria are incur has optedfor a new stra- ICT sector, among which are provides a very high quality
satisfied. In most cases such tey based on diversificatin. some flagship companies- environment to position
preferences lead into quota How do iou see (lie future of Infosys, Microsoft, Accenture, Mauritius as a regional centre
free and duty free access. the mauritian econo,ny and Teleforma. Endowned with of excellence for ICT
what will be the main pillars varied scenery ranging from development.
It will be good to recall that of development? idyllic sun and sea spots to
these Trade Agreements inclu- luxuriant greens, a cosmopoli- The Cyber Tower I is fully
de, 1) The Cotonou Agreement R.J : The budget 2006/2007 tan and ethnically diverse booked and the 70 % of the
which links the European has set the scene for major population and an increasing floor space of Cyber tower II
Union with ACP states, 2) the reforms across the economy to number of professional cast has already been reserved.
African Growth and revitalise existing sectors and and new crew Mauritius also Many private sector operators
Opportunity Act (AGOA) facilitate the emergence of envisions to become a regional are also locating their offices
in the Cybercity. At present the
which offers unilateral trade new pillars with the aim of Media
Digital
and
preferences in the USA to creating a minimum of 50,000 Entertainment hub. In 2006 the cyber city employs over 3000
country in Sub-Saharan jobs over the next five years, ICT sector registered a 38% people.
Africa., 3) the Common doubling per capita income to growth and is expected to
Market for Eastern and around USD 10,000 in a improve its performance in the J-D-C: Mauritius is an island
Southern Africa (COMESA) decade and to reducing vulne- coming years. The industry and ky defInition, is surren-
which offers access to 11 rability to external shocks. The offers both maturity and depth. n/ed by an immense sin.-face of
African countries on a Free economic base is thus being Opportunities exist for, i) sea wate,: Beyond its possibi-
Trade Agreement basis and 8 broadened to set firm founda- value-added Business Process lity to become an "ideal logis-
on Preferential Trade tions for more economic Outsourcing (BPO) activities tics and distribution platform
Agreement basis, and 4) the pillars such as the seafood and in financial and accounting, ",- 1/Ue to its location, in the
Southern hospitality and tourism, health India,, Ocean - how i/o you
aquaculture hub, property

African
Development Community development, the land based and medical, Human see the future of the seathod
(SADC) offers market access oceanic industry, the know- Resources, legal, ii) call and and marine industry? If pos-
on a preferential trade basis to ledge and the medical hubs, data-processing centres, iii) sible could you also elaborate
14 countries in Southern the pharmaceutical cluster Disaster Recovery and on certain figures concerning
Africa. together with the expansion of Business Continuity Planning, on-going//uture in r'est,,,ents?
tourism to hospitality and and iv) software development.
Investment Opportunities leisure. R.J : The Mauritius seafood
The Ebene (Tvheivitv sector is more buoyant than
Mauritius pursues an open and ,J-D.C: What is the importan- ever and has the ideal condi-
liberal economic policy, wel- ce given by the BO! to the The Ebène CyberCity is the tions to attract further invest-
coming investment in all the Information ments. The sea food sector has
outcome of Government's
and
sectors of the economy, with a Communication Technology policy to spearhead the deve- already attracted international
particular focus on the follo- (ICT) sector? To what degree lopment of Intelligent seafood players from countries
wing sectors: hospitality & would iou sqj, that the Ebene Buildings and Business Parks like Spain, Malaysia, Japan,
12007 Diva 29

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