Italian diaspora to Mauritius : a cross-border exchange

A 16^th century Italian cartographer, Alberto Cantino, first unveiled the existence of the island now known as Mauritius. This historical footnote, though interesting, is but trivia to factors inspiring an Italian diaspora to Mauritius in more contemporary times.

Italian companies in recent years have been increasing their presence in Africa. They can explore further opportunities using Mauritius as a gateway to the continent.

Italy has notably risen as the sixth biggest investor in Africa in recent years. In 2018, Italian investors pumped EUR28 billion into the continent.

Joint effort on renewable energy

Italian interests ploughed much of these investments into the energy sector, an area of cooperation between Mauritius and Italy. The governments of the two countries already has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve scientific research on energy technologies.

The Italian government is investing EUR2 million in this initiative. Under the MoU, the two countries are collaborating in the training and capacity-building of stakeholders in energy efficiency. The conversion of irrigation pumps from electrical to solar power source is the first project under the MoU. Overall, the agreement seeks to come up with new smart technologies expanding renewable energy capacity.

Close trading partners

Trade activities between Mauritius and Italy provide another potential driver for  an Italian diaspora to Mauritius. Significantly, Italy is the third largest European importer of Mauritian food products next to the United Kingdom and Spain. In 2019, Mauritian exports to Italy had a total value of USD102.64 million. Besides food products, these exports mostly included apparel items.

Mauritius also buys food products from Italy, but the bulk of its Italian imports includes industrial machinery and electronic/electrical equipment. The total import value of the country’s Italian imports amounted to USD131.17 million in 2019.

Window for two-way migration

Tourism and migrant labor likewise play a key role in stimulating an Italian diaspora to Mauritius. Italy is the ninth largest tourist market for Mauritius globally and fifth amongst European countries.

The influx of Mauritian migrant workers in Italy has been equally large. This came about with the Italian government partnering with the Circular Migration Programme of Mauritius.  The interaction of Mauritian migrants and their Italian hosts opens the window for some Italians to seek their fortunes in Mauritius.

The Mauritian government precisely has the mechanisms by which Italians and other foreign nationals could live or invest in the island. Foreigners, for instance, can purchase Mauritian real estate under the Property Development Scheme (PDS). A PDS purchase worth USD375,000 or more grants the buyer a residence permit in the island. PDS buyers can also readily apply for a local work permit, thus laying the path for the likes of an Italian diaspora to Mauritius.

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