testing of dermatology and cosmetic products • A base of more than 100 medicinal plants and a wealth of practices in traditional medicine • A broad therapeutic range for clinical trials including diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases • The presence of world-class hospitals and specialty health centres Mauritius has already attracted several global players from this industry: Covance, Hanna Instruments and Carl Zeiss Inc (US), GSK (UK), Laboratoire Pérouse (France) and Ranbaxy (India) Investment opportunities Opportunities exist across the entire value chain, from research and pre-clinical trials to clinical development, from product and process development to manufacturing of devices and pharmaceutical products. Healthcare Mauritius is a choice investment location for healthcare services and wellness activities. Building on the island’s reputation for excellence in tourism and hospitality, Mauritius looks to become a major destination for medical tourism. The country has already developed acclaimed knowhow in specialty areas such as fertility, cardiology, cosmetic dentistry, hair grafting and plastic surgery. The formidable potential of the island as a regional centre of excellence in health care has
36
Best of Mauritius
attracted major players like Apollo Hospitals and Fortis to our shores. Investment opportunities exist in the following areas: • Multi-specialty hospitals and specialty health centres, including psychiatry, dentistry, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery • Medical laboratories and diagnostic centres • Health and wellness resorts, convalescence and rehabilitative centres, sports medical centres • Geriatric care centres, residential and day care homes Hospitality & Property Development Hospitality Already a pillar of the Mauritian economy, the hospitality industry is poised for further growth. Tourist arrivals are expected to reach 2 million by 2015, requiring a doubling in room capacity. Simultaneously, the island traditional offering of sea, sand and sun is expected to diversify, opening up lucrative investment opportunities in a host of tourismrelated leisure and recreational activities. Investment opportunities in hospitality and tourism have been identified in the following areas: • New hotel development • Up-market business hotels • Eco-tourism and related activities • Museums and cultural tourism exploiting the two UNESCO World Heritage sites on the