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The Mauritian export processing zone
Author(s) -
Bheenick Rundheersing,
Schapiro Morton Owen
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
public administration and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1099-162X
pISSN - 0271-2075
DOI - 10.1002/pad.4230110314
Subject(s) - free trade zone , unemployment , economics , foreign exchange , business , international trade , economy , international economics , political science , economic growth , monetary economics , law , china
When Mauritius became independent in 1968, it was highly dependent upon sugar for foreign exchange. Early efforts to develop import‐substitution industries proved to be unsuccessful in reducing the country's economic and unemployment problems. The Export Processing Zone (EPZ) approach provided a package of fiscal concessions and other benefits to lure industries to locate their labour‐intensive activities in Mauritius. While the EPZ approach was successful during its early stages, a number of reforms had to be introduced to deal with persistent problems. The Mauritian EPZ model, despite various mistakes, can be useful to other countries, provided certain basic conditions prevail. This article is based on the longer study: Bheenick, R. and Schapiro, M. O. (1989). ‘Mauritius: a case study of the Export Processing Zone’. In R. Bheenick et al., Successful Development in Africa: Case Studies of Projects. Programs and Policies. World Bank EDI, Washington, D.C., available from Ms. Edith Pena, EDI, the World Bank, 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, USA.