Business updates

Total exports for the period January to September 2016 accounted for Rs 58.7 billion representing a drop of 10% over same period in 2015. Domestic exports also fell by 3% as compared to the same period of 2015 to reach Rs 41.9 billion in 2016. A substantial decrease of 24% in re-exports figures for the period January–September 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 can also be noted. This is mainly attributed to the drop in the re-exports of mobile phones by Freeport operators.

Analysis of exports figures by country of destination for the first nine months of 2016 shows that the EU were our main buyer, purchasing some 46.6% of our exports. The major destinations for our exports were U.K (11.9%), U.S.A (11.2%), France (11.1%), South Africa (8.2%), Madagascar (7.5%), Italy (6.5%) and Spain (4.6%). Compared to the corresponding period of 2015, total exports to UAE went down by 80%, mainly explained by the decrease in the re-exports of mobile phones. Exports to Italy, France and Madagascar went up by 20.2%, 11.5%, and 4.9% respectively. On the other hand, exports to both Spain and UK dropped by 14.7% while those to South Africa and USA fell by 7.1% and 3.1% respectively.

Total imports for the period January to September 2016 amounted to Rs 119 billion. During the first nine months of 2016, almost half of our imports originated from four main countries, namely: China (17.8%), India (15.9%), France (7.9%) and South Africa (7.5%). Compared to the corresponding period of 2015, total imports from India and China fell by 14.4% and 3.8% respectively while those from South Africa and France rose by 9.1% and 9.0% respectively.

According to Statistics Mauritius, total export for the year 2016 is forecasted at around Rs 88 billion and imports at Rs 167 billion.

For more information, please click here.