Mauritius – To Work is To Be Free

Mauritius – To Work is To Be Free

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of the African Continent. The country measures 2,040 square kilometres and includes the island of Mauritius along with several other islands. The capital and largest city is Port Louis.

The people of Mauritius are multi-ethnic and most are multilingual: Mauritian Creole, English, French, and Asian languages are used but English is the language of administration. The island is particularly known as the only home of the Dodo which, along with several avian species, was made extinct by human activities shortly after the island’s settlement.

Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculture-based economy to a middle-income diversified economy based on tourism, textiles, sugar, and financial services. In recent years, information and communication technology, hospitality and property development, healthcare, renewable energy, and education and training have emerged as important sectors, attracting substantial investment from both local and foreign investors.

Gender equality has begun to take hold in the last few years (the first lady taxi driver was featured in the news about seven years ago). Previously, a woman would move from her parents’ home to her husband’s home and have little or no choice or liberty. Now things are changing – as one young Mauritian woman said, “To work is to be free”.

Most people tend to be indirect in business situations and will often tell you what they think you want to hear rather than risk hurting feelings or embarrassing someone with the truth. Residents are proud of their island and will be keen to show it off. Be open and friendly and accept offerings.

Share your Mauritian business experiences.

Sources: Wikipedia, Culture Crossing