Luxury Indian Ocean old_Luxury Mauritius No2 Édition 2015 | Page 52

thonières, la pêche contribue à hauteur de 1,5 % au PIB, et de 18,7 % aux exportations nationales. Et à ce jour, 20 sites sont destinés aux projets d’aquaculture. Il existe aussi des opportunités dans l’élevage de poissons en casiers dans et hors lagon, les fermes aquacoles, l’élevage et l’engraissement de thons en casiers, le transbordement, le stockage et l’entreposage, la transformation légère. Les avantages de Maurice : un port franc qui dispose d’installations pour la transformation des produits de la mer aux normes européennes, avec notamment 80 000 m3 de chambres froides ; des accès préférentiels vers le marché européen grâce à un APE partiel, vers le marché américain dans le cadre de l’AGOA, et bien sûr vers les pays du Comesa et de la SADC. Les sciences de la vie : c’est un secteur en croissance qui offre des possibilités dans les domaines tels que les produits pharmaceutiques, le matériel médical, la recherche clinique, la biotechnologie agricole et marine. À titre d’exemple, 5 % de la production mondiale de cathéters pour l’angioplastie se fait à Maurice. Le pays dispose d’un cadre réglementé pour les essais cliniques, de nombreuses plantes médicinales répertoriées (moins de 10 % ont été étudiées) et d’un accès préférentiel vers l’Europe, les États-Unis et l’Afrique. Les énergies renouvelables : il s’agit d’un secteur d’avenir même s’il en est à ses balbutiements. Le pays, conscient que le développement durable est une nécessité, a initié le projet « Maurice Ile Durable ». Des études sont en cours sur l’exploitation de l’énergie des courants océaniques en eau profonde pour la climatisation et le refroidissement, sur l’énergie géothermique et les fermes marémotrices offshore. Parcs éoliens, projets de conversion des déchets en énergie, fermes solaires photovoltaïques, audit et services conseil, tout est à faire dans ce secteur qui LUXURY MAURITIUS offre de belles opportunités. L’objectif : contribuer à hauteur de 35 % à la production d’énergie en 2025. Over the years, Mauritius has diversified its economy and created an environment conducive to foreign investors by creating a series of incentives. The goal is clear: to take advantage of its strategic location to serve as a platform between Africa and Asia, and become a regional hub in terms of financial services, training, high valueadded industries, environment etc. If nowadays the country is known for its expertise in financial services, hospitality, real estate development or BPO, there are also many other investment opportunities in high-tech sectors which we might not necessarily think about, i.e. agro-industry, aquaculture, life sciences and renewable energy. All areas that are at the heart of sustainable development issues. Agro-industry: food production is of course one of today’s major global challenges. Mauritius offers opportunities in seed production, cash crops for export, fruit and vegetable proc essing, organic farming, animal husbandry and dairy production. For example, companies have become involved in the cultivation of rice and maize in Mozambique through the Regional Development Corporation, set up by the State of Mauritius. This aims to bring together the Mozambican authorities and investors to help the latter implement their projects. Aquaculture and Seafood: the development of an ocean economy is considered a priority area in terms of economic growth and job creation. The exclusive economic zone of Mauritius, which extends over 1.9 million km2, does indeed offer huge untapped marine resources. Aside from the fact that the Indian Ocean is home to the second largest stock of tuna in the world, the fishing industry 52 contributes 1.5% to GDP, and 18.7% to national exports. To this date, 20 sites have already been designated for aquaculture projects. There are opportunities for fish breeding in pots inside and outside the lagoon, fish farming, breeding and raising of tuna in pens, transhipment, storage and warehousing, light processing. And Mauritius has some significant advantages: a free port with facilities for processing seafood to European standards, including 80,000 m3 of cold storage; preferential access to the European market through a partial EPA, to the American market under AGOA, and of course to COMESA and SADC. Life sciences: this is a growing industry with big potential in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, clinical research, agricultural and marine biotechnology. For example, Mauritius accounts for 5% of the world’s production of catheters regarding angioplasty. The country has a regulated environment for clinical trials; a wide variety of medicinal plants recorded (less than 10% have been studied); and preferential access to Europe, the United States and Africa. Renewable energy: this sector has a promising future even though it is still in its infancy. The country is aware that sustainable development is a necessity, and has undertaken the “Sustainable Mauritius” project. Studies are now underway on the use of the energy of ocean currents in deep water for air conditioning and cooling, geothermal energy and offshore tidal farms. Wind farms, waste-to-energy conversion projects, solar PV farms, auditing and consulting services – much remains to be done in an area that offers great opportunities. The goal is to contribute up to 35% of energy production by 2025. For more information visit: www.investmauritius.com