Tribeca Mall, new shopping center in Trianon
A new shopping center opened its doors in Trianon on December 28 : le Tribeca Mall. Located opposite the cybercity of Ébène, it covers 80,000 m² and offers 3,500 parking spaces. Created by developer Hermes Property Ltd, the project brings together a 7,000 m² Winners supermarket and numerous shops. Eventually, Hermes Property Ltd has the ambition to create a “smart city” in Trianon, at a price of 25 billion rupees (550 million euros) investment.
Tourist attendance : goal almost achieved
The million tourists hoped for by the Mauritian government in 2022 will not be there, but the objective is not far from being achieved, with an estimated 950,000 arrivals (while waiting for official statistics). They already stood at 862,000 at the end of November, testifying to a real recovery with figures approaching those before the health crisis. Metropolitan France remains the main source market for tourists, far ahead of Great Britain, Germany and South Africa. Reunion remains behind, due to continued travel restrictions until early 2022, which affect the annual figures.
Record trade deficit
Mauritius' trade deficit stood at over 153 billion rupees (environ 3,4 billion euros) at the end of the first ten months of 2022, up more than 20% compared to the previous year. For the month of October only, imports reached 22,7 billion, almost 20% more than in October 2019. Imports of petroleum products alone amounted to 4,6 billion, against 2,9 billion in 2019. If the value of exports also increases, to reach 8,7 billion, they are far from compensating for the soaring import bill.
The “express metro” is expanding
The “express metro” line linking Rose Hill to Réduit, out of 3,4 km, will enter service at the end of January 2023. It should further strengthen the attractiveness of the Mauritian tram-train, operational since December 2019 and enjoying growing success. According to Transport Minister Alan Ganoo, the trains have already transported 12 million passengers and their attendance is expected to increase from 40,000
to 60,000 daily travelers this year. The new line between Rose Hill and Le Réduit should particularly appeal to employees of the cybercity of Ébène, students from the University of Mauritius and the Mauritius Institute of Education, officials from the Ministry of Agro-industry…
Growth : a 5% forecast for 2023
In a global context marked by crises and risks of recession, Statistics Mauritius estimates the island's economic growth rate at 5% in 2023. The country will still have to bear the weight of its energy and food bill, and growth, returned with the end of the health crisis, can only slow down. In 2022, it should reach 7,8 %, or 0,6 points better than initial estimates. The tourism sector will have been the main contributor to this recovery, ahead of manufacturing and financial services.
