ipation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN,
UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Usha JEETAH FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983 telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491,
1492 chancery: Suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Bisa WILLIAMS embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers
House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis mailing address: international
mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis,
Department of State, Washington, DC
[230] 208-2347, 208-2354, 208-9763 through 9767 FAX:
Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue,
yellow, and green

Economy Mauritius

Economy - overview: Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed
from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income
diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist
sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5%
to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more equitable
income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality,
and a much improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90%
of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25% of export earnings. The
government's development strategy centers on foreign investment. Mauritius
has attracted more than 9,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce
in India and South Africa, and investment in the banking sector alone
has reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector
and responsible fiscal management, was well-poised to take advantage of
the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.9 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 5.2% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,800 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 33% services: 61%
(1999 est.)

Population below poverty line: 10% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Distribution of family income - Gini index: 0.37 (1987 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (2001 es