Business Information
MAURITIUS IN FIGURES
Geography
Mauritius is at the crossroads of vital trade routes between Europe and Asia, Africa and Australia, strategically located in the Indian Ocean near Southern Africa, east of Madagascar 20°17S, 57°33E. The country covers an area of 1865 sqkm with 330 kilometres of coastline and is 45 km in width and 65 km in length. Its capital city is Port Louis.
Mauritius is four hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and three hours ahead (2 hours in summer) of mid-European Time. Its climate is sub-tropical with temperatures averaging 22°C to 27°C. Summer lasts from October to May, and Winter from June to September. Rainy months are between January and May but rainfall is usually higher in the centre of the island. Exotic and brilliantly colourful fruits and flowers thrive in its tropical climate.
Population Statistics, 01/07/09
Estimated resident population by sex, Republic
of Mauritius, 1st July 2009
Population Density, Rep. of Mauritius, 01/07/09
Demography (2008 figures)*
Age composition (%)
Under 15 : 18.4 %;
15 - 59 : 60.0 %;
60 - 64 : 5.5 %;
65 years & over : 16.1 %;
The literacy rate is 86% for 15 years & above. English is the official language but French and Creole are widely spoken;
Currency
The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR): 1 Rupee = 100 cents;
Notes: 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25; Coins: 20, 10, 5 and 1 rupee; 50, 20 and 5 cents.
*provisional Source: http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/cso
Breakdown of population by districts - 2008('000)*
Political & Legal Systems
The 1968 constitution proclaims that Mauritius is a “democratic state” and that the constitution is the supreme law of the land. It guarantees the fundamental rights and freedom of the people, including the right to hold private property and to be free from racial or other discrimination. Mauritius is thus a presidential democracy modeled on the British parliamentary system, which guarantees the separation of the legislative, executive and judicial powers. Democracy is well entrenched in Mauritius and all major political parties are represented in Parliament.
Parliamentary democracy is thus based on the Westminster model and elections are held by universal suffrage every 5 years. The last elections were held on 3rd July 2005. The head of state is the President while the head of government is the Prime Minister; The legal system is a hybrid system drawing from French Napoleonic Code, English Law and the 1968 Constitution.
The last court of appeal is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the UK. Mauritius has enjoyed uninterrupted political stability since independence with smooth transfer of political power after general elections. Strong social contracts bind the government, the private sector and the civil society.
Main Economic Indicators (2008)*
Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. Other key sectors such as Information, Communication and Telecommunication (ICT) and Fisheries are fast developing. Mauritius is well connected globally and offers vast opportunities for foreigners wishing to establish viable investment projects on the island. With such a business-friendly environment, Mauritius is poised to become an international business hub in the Indian Ocean region.
*provisional Source: Mauritius in Figures 2008 - CSO
Export Oriented Enterprises (EOE) as from
October 2006, consist of all those enterprises
previously operating with an EPZ certificate
and those Enterprises manufacturing goods for
exports and holding a registration certificate
issued by the Board of Investment.
Source: Mauritius in Figures 2008 - CSO
Total Employment (2008)
Source: Mauritius in Figures 2008 - CSO
Total Employment (2008)
*including foreigners
Dial Mauritius
Dial Mauritius