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Blue Economy

Mauritius is a subtropical island country in the Indian Ocean surrounded by a vast Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.2 million square kilometers. The Mauritius blue economy activities excluding coastal tourism represent 10% of the Growth Domestic Product (GDP) and employ around 7,000 people.

The Mauritius blue economy is currently represented by coastal tourism, fishing, seafood processing and seaport activities that are also considered traditional ocean activities. The Government aims at increasing the share of GDP of the blue economy to 20% in the medium term.


The strategy would be to work on the consolidation of traditional activities but also develop emerging ones such as aquaculture, maritime services, marine biotechnology, and oil & gas exploration.

0 M KM2
EXCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC ZONE
$ 799 M
EXPORT & RE-EXPORTS (2022)

Investment Opportunities

    • Fishing

      The rich marine natural resources of the Mauritian waters provide great potential for fisheries. The country has ambitious plans to expand its fisheries sector to meet the growing exports demand. Continuous efforts are being implemented by the Government through strategic policy actions to support the sustainable growth of the sector. The fisheries sector provides enormous potential to support the fish and seafood processing enterprises.

      • Fishing quota rights and licenses are regulated to protect the resource base, effectively to harvest the resource.
      • Multitude efforts on monitoring, control, and surveillance made at the national level to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and ensure compliance of fishing vessels to provide reliable reports.
      • Multiple free trade agreements with key countries are likely to ensure that those operating in the local market enjoy global access.
      • Our proximity and access to the growing African, Asian and European markets, strategic policy actions and access to the natural resources provide a competitive advantage to prospective investors in new and existing projects.
    • Seafood Processing

      The Mauritian seafood sector provides the best quality seafood and seafood acquaintance from sustainably managed fisheries. The country has exported seafood products to Europe time long past and is considered as one of the biggest ACP exporters of canned tuna to the EU market. Our premium product quality and regulatory credentials are very compelling for European buyers and a major competitive advantage. Investors/Buyers can take advantage of the various key benefits including:

      • Preferential market access to the EU, USA, Africa, India, China and regional countries
      • Freight Rebate Scheme:
        • Refund of 25% of the Basic Freight Cost to a maximum of USD 300 per 20-feet container and USD 600 per 40 –feet container exported to 45 eligible ports in Africa including Madagascar and Reunion
        • Extension of the Freight Rebate Scheme on the South African market for SMEs
      • Support for Trade Promotion & Marketing Scheme instead of Air Freight Rebate Scheme
      • World-class infrastructure as well as an integrated logistics platform
      • Competitive and efficient Freeport Zone
      • No import duty on equipment or raw materials

      New opportunities for Mauritius’s Seafood Processing sector lie in market diversification, value-added processing and developing non-premium products and seafood experiences.

    • Aquaculture

      Mauritius aquaculture holds great potential to meet growing global demand for more sustainable seafood products while protecting marine ecosystems. Sustainable and long-term governance fuelled with an enabling regulatory framework makes the sector very attractive for investments from potential investors willing to expand their footprints globally. The Mauritius aquaculture sector offers foreign investors path-breaking business opportunities namely in:

      • Off Lagoon Aquaculture
      • In lagoon Aquaculture
      • In Land Aquaculture
    • Bunker

      Mauritius is strategically positioned on the South-South trade corridor which represents an annual USD 3.75 trillion in maritime trade. With some 30,000 vessels passing the country’s maritime zone annually, the bunker segment has experienced a sustained average growth of 13% per annum since 2004 with a with a record sale exceeding USD 500 million registered in 2022. However, current volume traded at Port-Louis represents 13% of the regional demand, estimated at 5,000,000 metric tonnes. Government target to increase bunker sales at Port-Louis to 1,000,000 MT by 2025 and 1,500,000 by 2027.

      The rapid growth of the bunkering sector is attributed to the gradual liberalization of bunker trade in Mauritius. Moreover, in a bid to achieve the set target, a series of incentives have been established ranging from discounts of port charges to tax benefits. In its quest to positioning itself on the charter of international bunker traders and shipping lines, Mauritius has adopted best international practices in terms of environmental and operational standards as well as product quality assurance monitoring.

      There are currently eight licensed operators engaged in bunker operations at Port-Louis, delivering different types of marine fuels both by pipeline at quay and by bunker barges.

      Opportunities:

      • Bunker trade by pipeline with onshore storage
      • Bunker trade by exclusively by barge
      • Bunker trade by barge supported with onshore storage
      • Paper bunker trading servicing clients calling at Mauritius
      • Paper bunker trading servicing international clients not calling to Mauritius

      Incentives

      Mauritius offers several competitive advantages to demarcate itself as a competitive bunkering destination, which includes the following:

      • Exemption from excise duty and VAT on bunker fuel including for bunker barges operating within Ports-Limits
      • Corporate tax exemption from bunker trade in Intermediate Fuel Oil (IFO) 380
      • Exemption from environmental levy
      • Discounted prices on port charges (port dues & anchorage fees) by the Mauritius Port Authority.
    • Other Port Services

      The Port of Mauritius services 99% of the country’s external trade for goods. Port-Louis also handles bulk of the regional transshipment market including containers, liquid bulk, and seafood products amongst others. Consequently, provision of ancillary services is crucial to support major ports operations. The international commitment of Mauritius towards climate change is opening new opportunities in this sector. This includes:

      • Ship spares and stores
      • Port agent
      • Custom brokering and clearing houses
      • Smart port services
      • Services towards the green port initiatives
    • The Ideal Platform for Maritime Services & Ship Registry

      Mauritius is positioned as a respected and compliant ship register braced by the country’s stable social, economic and political environment. The conducive business environment supported by a pool of bilingual professionals, and a solid technological backbone are core attributes for high- end marine based service delivery in Mauritius.

      The competitive advantages of the Mauritius ship registry benchmarks at par with leading international registries. The jurisdiction leverages on extensive offering of the Mauritius International Financial Centre to deliver safe, reliable and cost competitive ship registration services.

      In addition to being strategically located for all vessels crossing the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is also a member of major international maritime conventions.

      The following advantages supports Mauritius to emerge as a hub for ship registry and ancillary services:

      • Political stability & neutral flag
      • Law firms and licensed management companies to assist in ship registration and its corporate management
      • No labour restriction on employment of foreign seafarers
      • Seafarers are not taxed on their personal income
      • Dry dock yards to provide ship maintenance
      • Vessels are exempted from tax freight earnings
      • No withholding tax on dividends paid from a Mauritius Shipping Company
      • Customs and excise duties exemption on ship’s stores, consumables and spare parts
      • No capital gains tax is payable upon the sale or transfer of a ship or of the shares in a shipping company
      • No estate duty is payable on the inheritance of shares in a shipping company.
    • Opportunities
      • Opportunities exist in various segments in Mauritius, namely:
        1. Vessel Registration
        1. Corporate Ship Management (Vessel registrations, certifications, legal & tax support, insurance & sale and purchase of vessels)
        2. Technical Ship Management (Ship Building, Crew management, maintenance & repairs, license & approvals)
        3. Commercial Ship Management (Fuel Procurement & management & Port agency)
    • Hydrocarbon and Seabed Mineral Exploration and Exploitation

      Mauritius is an enticing destination for resource exploration and exploration. The vast hydrocarbon reserves off the coast of East Africa and Madagascar proves significant prospects for hydrocarbons in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Mauritius. Additionally, the recent discovery of inactive hydrothermal fields reported by the joint Mauritian and Japanese expedition within our EEZ provide important insights into the biodiversity and biogeography of vent-endemic ecosystems in the Indian Ocean and the like hood of mineral deposits. The previously discovered fields of polymetallic nodules and mineral ore in ocean basins close to our maritime zone presents potential targets for deep-sea mining to support the increase and welfare of the human population.

      The introduction of the Offshore petroleum Act provides for the legal framework for exploration, exploitation hydrocarbon in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Mauritius, including provision of exploration blocks, gathering and sales of seismic data, engagement with Government on exploitation among others.

    • Oil and Gas Support Services Sector

      Mauritius has significant potential for Oil and Gas Support Services Sector. The hydrocarbon discoveries along the East Coast of Africa and off Madagascar position Mauritius as an ideal platform to service the oil and gas industry.

      The country strategic positioning supported by a strong economy, increased regional connectivity, accommodating government policies, trade links with key markets, investment and export schemes as well as the offerings of the Mauritius IFC provides for unique attributes in the servicing of the booming regional oil and gas industry.

    • Why Mauritius for the Oil and Gas Support Services Sector?
      1. Proximity to significant oil and gas reserves
      2. Air and sea connectivity
      3. Broadband connectivity
      4. Enabling legal framework
      5. Proximity to the rapidly growing Asian energy markets
      6. Attractive incentives for structuring in the services sector
      7. Schemes for manufacturing, light assembly, repairs, storage and distribution
      8. Stability and supportive soft infrastructure
      9. A Government committed to developing the oil and gas sector through strategic actions
    • Investment Opportunities
      1. Geoscience, marine extraction, marine-related environmental services and other technical, legal and financial services required for the granting of concessions and exploration activities.
      2. Regional Headquarter activities for support service contractors such as operation management and administration
      3. Manufacturing, storage and distribution of specialised goods
      4. Repairs and maintenance of vessels, craft and other relevant structures
      5. Remote automated operation such remotely operated underwater vehicle operations, reservoir management and operations data managements.
      6. Other related services delivery
    • Deep Ocean Water Application

      Deep Ocean Water Application distinguished by the use of cold, nutrient-rich and pathogen-free seawater found at depth of the ocean for high-end industrial application including Sea Water Air Conditioning, Green Data Centres, High-end Aquaculture, Pharmaceuticals, and Thalassotherapy amongst others.

      Mauritius favors a private sector engagement for this nascent industry by providing for fiscal incentive, a resilient and low risk environment to invest and do business. Currently, one project is under way in the Port-Louis region and, upon completion of its first phase, it will provide green cooling to several public and private buildings in the city center. An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion project is also under study in south of the island. The exploitation of deep sea water in Mauritius will foster the emergence of a new industry.

    • Investment Opportunities

      Upstream:
      1. Deep sea water extraction
      2. Deep sea water sale
      3. Deep sea water air-conditioning
      4. Deep sea water energy conservation and production technologies
      5. Green data centre
      6. Ocean Therman Energy Conversion

      Downstream:
      1. Research or production activities using deep sea water
      2. High-end aquaculture
      3. Leisure, entertainment, tourism or wellness
      4. Production of deep sea water ice
      5. Production of high-purity marine salt
      6. Production of preservatives
      7. Research or production of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
      8. Production of premium mineral water or beverage

    • Why Mauritius for Deep Ocean Water Application?
      • Carbon dating techniques indicate that the deep seawater (approx. 5 centuries old) is pure and free from surface pollution.
      • Scientific analysis of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the deep seawater confirms the mineral rich water with high nutrient content
      • Temperature ranges from 4 to 6 Degrees Celsius creating value from deep sea water
      • Private-sector-led development model allowed
      • Allows for Green large-scale cooling (SWAC) substituting fossil fuels
      • Carbon emission reduction with associated monetary benefits
      • Support from Government institutions
      • Existing legal and regulatory framework
      • Maritime Zones Act- Section 21 & prescribed Regulations

Incentives & Schemes

Through a panoply of schemes and unique incentives offered, EDB Mauritius supports the expansion and growth of business operations as a way to enhance substantive and value-added economic activities in Mauritius.

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For Multinational PLC, Mauritius is one of the better places to invest in the world. It is a stable economy; it has a stable political system. It has pragmatic regulations that allow us to be both safe and efficient. It has great people… just great talent locally.

John Doe, CEO, Multinational PLC

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