The PM’s state mission in Kuwait already looks very fruitful for the Mauritian economy. One of the biggest public investment companies in Kuwait, International Financial Advisors (IFA), has expressed its intention of investing US$ 100 million (Rs 3 billion) in Integrated Resort Scheme projects.

IFA is a powerful investment fund, which has already invested in luxurious hotels in Kuwait and other major resorts in Dubai, Portugal and South Africa. The company from Kuwait looks impatient to come to Mauritius. “We want to develop an integrated hotel complex with villas and golf courses. We’d like to start the projects as soon as possible,” the chief executive officer, Jassim M. Al-Bahar, declared to l’express. A delegation is expected in Mauritius soon to get ready to start the project.

The PM’s trip to Kuwait promises even more cooperation between both countries. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuwait has shown much enthusiasm about “doing business” in Mauritius. They want to be informed of the possibilities that the country could offer them and the IRS projects were mentioned once again. “I’ll ask the Board of Investment to organise an information trip for the businessmen here,” Paul Bérenger said.

The president of the chamber of commerce, Ali Al-Ghalem, said Kuwait is seeking for new investment possibilities. He added that tourism and agriculture could be of great interest for them. Likewise, the Kuwait Fund is ready to invest more in the Mauritian public infrastructure. It should soon help complete the Islamic cultural centre but could also provide financial help for other projects if the Mauritian government needs it.

The visit of the PM to the Gulf region really seems to have been a success at all levels. He is now in Pakistan where he arrived yesterday to meet President Musharraf and to sign cooperation agreements.