馃嚥馃嚭MauritiusEast Africa
ITL convenes experts to discuss Mauritius' strategic positioning amid global uncertainties
via Le Mauricien5 min read
Intercontinental Trust Ltd ITL hosted a webinar titled "Global Uncertainty, Strategic Choices: Mauritius, a Safe and Trusted Business & Relocation Hub" in late April. The event brought together high-level experts to discuss Mauritius' role as a secure, credible, and strategic platform for investors, entrepreneurs, wealthy families, and internationally mobile professionals. The webinar also introduced the new Mauritius Golden Visa Scheme, recently launched by the Economic Development Board EDB. Amid geopolitical tensions, market volatility, and evolving global regulatory frameworks, the webinar addressed how investors can protect capital, structure activities, and consider relocation to a stable, well-regulated, and globally connected jurisdiction. Fran莽oise Chan, ITL Executive Director, moderated the panel, which included experts from law, real estate, taxation, international structuring, economic development, and wealth management. She emphasized the critical question for international investors and families: where to protect capital while benefiting from political stability, the rule of law, a recognized financial framework, and an attractive quality of life. Sachin Mohabeer, EDB Deputy CEO, presented the key features and benefits of the Mauritius Golden Visa Scheme for those considering Mauritius for residence, investment, or establishment. Other panelists included Jonathan Tagg, Director of Pam Golding Properties; Priscilla Balgobin-Bhoyrul SC, Senior Partner at Dentons M
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
The Mauritian government's 2026-2027 budget, presented by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Navin Ramgoolam, prioritizes environmental protection and climate resilience. Measures include a 4 billion Rupee allocation for the Coastal Erosion Adaptation Programme to rehabilitate over 11.5 kilometers of severely affected coastline across 17 priority sites over the next five years. The budget also emphasizes nature-based solutions like reforestation, wetland preservation, dune restoration, and coastal vegetation rehabilitation, alongside the development of a National Shoreline Management Strategy. The revival of the Maurice 脦le Durable project, now integrated into the country's ecological transition strategy, and the creation of a Just Transition Commission are also highlighted. Eco-citizen groups Mru2025-AKNL and Platform Moris Lanvironnman offered mixed reactions. Carina Gounden, spokesperson for Mru2025-AKNL, views the budget announcements as largely confirming existing initiatives rather than introducing groundbreaking changes. She welcomes the focus on nature-based solutions but stresses the need for courageous decisions and better inter-institutional coordination. Gounden also notes the decision to no longer grant new leases for state lands and Pas G茅om茅triques under the G+2 regime for apartment sales to foreigners, though she believes its scope is limited as it doesn't affect already approved projects or the preservation of undeveloped Pas G茅om茅triques. A major concern
The construction of the Rivi猫re des Anguilles Dam is anticipated to commence this year, with completion projected for 2029. This announcement was made by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, despite the project having been announced in 2009 and facing numerous delays. The Central Procurement Board is expected to award the construction contract in the coming weeks. Two Chinese firms, China International Water & Electric Corp and Sinohydro Corporation Limited, are currently in contention, with project cost proposals ranging from 5 to 7 billion rupees. The project will be financed by a consortium including the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Saudi Fund for Development, and the Arab Bank for Economic Development. Public Utilities Minister Patrick Assirvaden confirmed that construction could start around November or December. The dam is considered a strategic project aimed at enhancing national water storage capacity, improving resilience to climate change, and ensuring a sustainable water supply for the growing demand in the southern part of the island. It is expected to benefit 50,000 to 60,000 families in the South, Southeast, and Southwest regions, which frequently experience water shortages during dry periods. The Rivi猫re des Anguilles, which will supply the dam, is known for its clean water, with an estimated 1.8 million cubic meters per month currently lost to nature and the sea. The dam will be a rockfill structure with a bitumen watertight lining, approximately 2,200 meter
Adi Teelock, a member of Platform Moris Lanvironman and an environmental activist, states that the construction and operation of infrastructure for artificial intelligence development, particularly data centers, carry significant environmental and social costs due to their high energy and water consumption for cooling. She emphasizes that in a country facing water stress and an energy crisis, which disproportionately affect low-income households, the government needs to clarify its policy on these issues. Teelock also expresses concern about the M4 highway, which primarily benefits individual transport and real estate projects, questioning its environmental impact and its ability to improve inter and intra-village connectivity given inadequate public transport. She argues that projects like the M4 highway and urban regeneration in the port area require technical, financial, environmental, and social feasibility studies, as well as strategic environmental and social assessments, due to their climatic, environmental, and social costs. Teelock highlights the critical importance of ocean health in the context of climate and biodiversity crises, urging that policies in this area should not exacerbate these existential threats. While acknowledging positive announcements regarding coastal protection through nature-based solutions, tourism, solid waste management, agroforestry, food security, solar electricity, and the water sector, she stresses the need to see the related strategies