Popular amongst tourists worldwide, Mauritius, has also been drawing a significant number of foreign workers.  Some recent studies counted expatriates in Mauritius at 45,000, with foreign labour found in all economic sectors of the island.

In the near future, the country shall continue relying on expats to complement its local workforce. Towards this end, the government has included foreign talents amongst the springboards for its coronavirus economic recovery efforts.

The government outlined this tack in its initiatives under the country’s 2020-2021 budget. The budget indicated certain sectors wherein expat talents would be most welcome. Here are some of these opportunity areas wherein expats could build their careers on.

1. Information technology

The new budget calls for the establishment of a Data Technology Park at Cote d’Or. It will feature 12 specialised centres that shall require highly skilled personnel. The centres’ manning shall revolve on these areas: ICT Operation; Business Operation; Sustainable Technologies; Additive Manufacturing and Design Innovation; Deep Artificial Intelligence; Advanced Science; Accelerated Technical Training; Logistics and Services; Food Technology; Health and Wellness; Media and Communications; and Reform and Policy.

2. Pharmaceutical Industry

The pharmaceutical industry is expected to generate more jobs, particularly in research and development. The country’s new budget notably grants incentives to companies undertaking R&D in the life sciences sector.

Amongst other incentives, the registration duty has been waived on these firms’ acquisition of immovable property.  Additionally, the Mauritius Investment Corporation will invest in a public-private pharmaceutical enterprise.

3. Financial services

The government will have to tap new talents in finance, with the new financial products it plans to introduce. It is likewise planning a venture capital market for small and medium enterprises, a potent ground for expatriates in Mauritius.

4. Academic institutions

Mauritius shall increasingly require academicians to help bolster its aspiration to become a centre for higher learning in Africa. Its near-term objective is to triple the international students the island hosts to 100,000.

In the country’s 2020-2021 budget, the government provided incentives to attract schools from the world’s top 500 institutions for higher learning. Juicy tax exemptions are amongst these incentives.

5. Construction and real estate

The government has set aside in the 2020-2021 budget over MUR40 billion in construction projects across the island. The projects shall not only create jobs but also bring potential business opportunities.

The various real estate development programmes in the country, such as the Integrated Resort Scheme, have spawned job-generating projects as well. Aside from construction jobs, these projects upon completion require property management skills wherein some expats can match their professional expertise.

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