Mauritius has over the years proved to be the ideal location for foreign investors. Industrialists from all over the world found the necessary conditions which allow them to flourish on the island. The main advantages of Mauritius are:

1. A stable political and social environment where both the ruling party and the opposition are on the same wavelength as regards the industrial policy in the country.
2. A buoyant economy, committed to free enterprise, where the Government limits its role to investment in infrastructural and institutional facilities, thereby leaving productive investment in the hands of the business community.
3. A dynamic private sector that welcomes joint ventures with overseas partners.
4. Guarantee against nationalization. Overseas investors can have up to 100% control of the equity of an enterprise.
5. Complete liberisation of the economy, with virtually no foreign exchange control.
6. A stable currency linked to a basket of currencies reflecting the trade patterns of the country.
7. A well educated, adaptable and productive labour force fluent in both English and French.
8. Excellent institutional support services in terms of banking and finance, insurance, shipping, the newly created offshore business centre and free port facilities.
9. Well developed infrastructural facilities, including a good road network, reliable electricity and water supply, modern internal and external communications and up-to-date harbour and airport facilities.
10. Excellent sea and air connections with the rest of the world.
11. Favourable market access to: Europe, North America, Japan, Australia, and Africa.
12. Availability of factory buildings and fully serviced land at reasonable rates. A modern informatics park fitted with the most sophisticated infrastructural facilities has recently been set up for teleport and associated activities.
13. Well tailored training programmes for specific sectors co-ordinated by the Industrial and Vocational Training Board ( IVTB).
14. Availability of residence and work permits to promoters and foreign technicians. Up to 2 expatriate staff of an EPZ company are entitled to a tax credit of 50% of the income tax payable on the emoluments derived from the company.
15. A well balanced package of fiscal incentives to export enterprises including free repatriation of profits, dividends and invested capital.
16. A sound industrial base with emphasis on continuous modernisation of existing industries and investment in sophisticated techniques of production.
17. A peaceful place to live and work.

Mauritius believes in the right investments in the right areas and the sectors which are being promoted have been identified on the basis of in-depth studies conducted by independent international consultants.

The studies which cover the engineering, printing, electronics, plastics, jewellery and information technology sectors have revealed good possibilities in these industrial activities. The recommended projects and other sectors are reviewed below:

|. ENGINEERING
Engineering activities cover a wide range of operations, especially products geared towards the PTA market region.

SCOPE

A. PRECISION ENGINEERING PRODUCTS

Example:

• Dies & moulds
• Machine tool components
• Tool sets
• Satellite dishes
• Support activities in engineering such as maintenance of moulds

B. FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS

Example:

• Household appliances
• Precision sheet metal products such as metal enclosures for
  electronic and electrical equipment.

C. MACHINERY

Agricultural machinery for example:

• Cranes
• Equipment for construction industry, e.g. concrete mixers, wheel barrows and light vehicles such as dumpers
• Ship repairs
• Sugar factory parts

D. AUTOMOTIVE PARTS & COMPONENTS

Example:

• Gasket sets
• Shock absorbers
• Brake linings and pads
• Filters
• Radiators

E. LIGHT ENGINEERING PRODUCTS

Example:

• Brass locks, padlocks, door knobs etc
• Electric fans
• Air conditioners
• Gas cylinders
• Water pumps
• Coachwork
• Dental equipment
• Sugar factory spare parts/Parts and components
• Electrical tranformers
• Pats & components for motorcycles and bicycles
• Fire extinguishers

II. PRINTING AND PUBLISHING
The printing and publishing includes all activities that contribute in the production of prints and printed material namely - conception, origination, graphic reproduction, colour separation, pre-press and post-press activities.

SCOPE

A. PRE-PRESS

• Typesetting
• Desk top publishing
• Graphic design and layout
• Colour separation

B. PRESS WORKS

• Printing
• Print finishing
• Quick print
• Security print

III. ELECTRONICS
Mauritian EPZ companies are already manufacturing electronic products for the export market, for example, quartz crystal blanks, electronic measuring devices, printed circuit boards, TV sets, VCRs and electronic watches.

SCOPE

A. CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

Example:

• Assembly of audio and video products
• Household electrical appliances

B. OFFICE ELECTRONICS

Example:

• Computer peripherals and components
• Telecommunication equipment

C. ELECTRONICS SECURITY SYSTEMS

Example:

• Components for emergency lighting systems
• Security control panels
• Delay lines

D. OTHERS

Example:

• Electronic instruments
• Printed circuit boards