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USEFUL BUSINESS INFORMATION ON MAURITIUS
1. Country Brief:
A. Introduction - Its name conjures up all that is romantic; an island of beautiful beaches fringed with palm and casuarina trees, protected by a coral reef forming lagoons of crystal clear water. A fertile island where waving fronds of sugar cane dominate the landscape; where there are large forested areas, huge craters, gorges and spectacular waterfalls all with a backdrop of mountains whose jagged profile indicates their volcanic origin. Its climate is idyllic with sunshine all the year round, temperatures varying little from summer to winter, the only disturbing factor is the rare cyclone which descends to disturb the peace. Its name is Mauritius.
B. Climate - Mauritius has only two seasons with minimal differences between them, making Mauritius a perfect year round destination. Summer runs from November to April, with temperatures reaching as high as 93ºF (34ºC) on the coast. Humidity is highest from December to April but is never unbearable, particularly on the coast where there is a constant sea breeze. Cyclones, with strong winds and heavy rain, can occur between January and March. Mauritius will normally experience about three or four cyclones a year during this period, each usually lasting a couple of days. During winter the temperature drops a few degrees, however, there is still plenty of sunshine and it is a very pleasant time of year to visit. Sea temperatures vary between 75ºF (24ºC) in the winter and 82ºF (28ºC) in the summer. The peak holiday season runs from October to Easter, with hotel prices dropping during over the summer months.
C. Geographical Area - Land area: 784 sq mi (2,030 sq km); total area: 788 sq mi (2,040 sq km)
D. Language - English less than 1% (official), Creole 81%, Bojpoori 12%, French 3% (2000)
E. Currency With Exchange Rate – MUR
1.00 MUR = 0.0324797
F. Population - (2006 est.): 1,240,827
G. Major Cities - Port Louis,
2. Transportation:
A. Railway -
B. Road - total: 1,926 km; paved: 1,868 km (including 44 km of expressways); unpaved: 58 km (2000).
C. Airports - 5 (2002).
D. Waterways -
E. Sea ports - Port Louis
3. Economy:
A. Major Manufacturing:
B. Major Export - $1.949 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses.
C. Major Import - $2.507 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
E. Major Industry - food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism
F. Trade balance:
4. Trade Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Trade shows and Exhibitions in Mauritius:
Major Trade Associations
Chambers of Commerce
The Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry
3, Royal Street, Port-Louis, Mauritius.
Tel: (230) 208 3301
Fax: (230) 208 0076
E-Mail: mcci@intnet.mu
WebSite: www.mcci.org
Major Trade Shows
5. Useful links:
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