Mauritius Qatar discuss Investment | Landing rights

Ministers from both countries were in discussion over the past few days on several issues. Qatar appears to be interested in investing in Mauritius especially in an IRS most likely through its investment arm the Qatar Investment Authority which has just invested a sizable stake in J. Sainsbury's. As we feel the pinch at the pumps we know the member of the GCC's coffers are overflowing at the moment. Qatar the highest GDP per capita in the world at around $50k (7xMauritius). Hopefully the discussions haven't just been about tourism, there are many other sectors in which Mauritius could serve Qatar as gateway to Africa for. On the tourism front Qatar has been knocking on the door for several years, they already land in Seychelles. However Air Mauritius' monopoly (as usual :S) - codeshare with Emirates wouldn't allow. When Qatar's new world class International Airport opens up it will be serving all of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the North America. Not to mention something the MPTA has really neglected is the Middle Eastern tourism market. ME tourists spend tons of money on tourism, many have pads in London or Switzerland and they travel extensively especially during the summer months. Qatar Airways, not to mention they are a 5 star airline, is a necessary addition to Mauritian skies.

Mauritius clearly needs more flights and higher quality flights. For flights which a major part of tourist's budget - a tourist has the option of going to South East Asia or other Indian Ocean Islands for much cheaper because there are more airlines going there. The quality of airlines needs to also be better. Currently the only quality airline serving Mauritius is Emirates, Virgin Atlantic's arrival in October will add to that especially with it's upper class service. Tourism is the sector which creates the most related jobs in the economy more than any other sector. Mauritius seriously needs to exploit the tourism industry. Tourists in Mauritius need to move around more, this is starting to happen with the increase in eco tourism activities. But Mauritius needs more other forms of entertainment, much better shopping, cultural attractions, and entertainment options. By moving around high net worth tourists who come to Mauritius will be able to engage with our offshore services and businesses.

PL: 77th most livable city

According to Mercer Human Resource Consulting, which provides advice to multinational companies on international assignments, PL has been ranked as the 77th most livable city in the world based on 39 key quality-of-life issues. They include political stability, currency-exchange regulations, political and media censorship, school quality, housing, the environment and public safety. Mercer collected the data between September and November of 2006 and considered 215 cities around the globe. Switzerland's main commercial and cultural center, Zurich, topped the list this year, followed by Geneva, and Vancouver and Vienna, which tied for third.

Apparently the biggest factors were stunning physical beauty hence the large number of Australian and New Zealand cities, and the safe streets and excellent public transportation found in Japanese cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka make these highly desirable places to live.

PL definitely has the beauty factor especially if it can develop high density luxury properties to the north and south of the waterfront (like in Miami). The streets are relatively safe although a better police presence would help. The transport system in PL is atrocious and needs to be dramatically improved. Other major factors in addition to infrastructure and property are good restaurants, shopping, and entertainment which in Mauritius is spread out all over the place.

If anything Dubai has showed build it and they will come. Look at Anahita sold out almost instantaneously; people are obsessed with Mauritius. Many of the people who bought at Anahita have never even been to that part of the island before.

Mauritius metro rail

Mauritius has approached DMRC for assistance in its maiden metro project to connect the cities of Curepipe and Port Louis.