“This study argues that Mauritius boasts strong economic fundamentals and, through its various regional trade agreements and its strategic location in the Indian Ocean as a bridge between Asia and Africa, offers the perfect gateway to the emerging African
market. It is this opportunity, along with Mauritius’ duty-free access to its traditional partners that China is eyeing.
Chinese FDI flows into the industrial zone, by their very magnitude and sectoral orientation (into high-value sectors such as pharmaceuticals and light engineering), are likely to have important impacts on the economy. The SEZ will generate jobs and foreign exchange earnings even though the real value to the domestic economy is expected to be smaller since the industrial zone is likely to be manned mainly by Chinese
expatriate workers and export proceeds
repatriated to China. However, Mauritius
could gain from technology spillovers
and linkages with the domestic economy.”
