● <B>Are your targets different from those of the main branch in South Africa?</B>

Seeff Properties was established over 40 years ago in South Africa and has become one of the leading brands in Southern Africa with excellent European market exposure through our association agreements with companies such as Foxtons, the biggest real estate company in London as well as the Guild of Professional Estate Agents based in London and backed by a network of over 700 independent agents spread across. Even if there is strong collaboration and support structure between all the international branches, each international branch is independently owned and operated so as to function successfully in its own unique market. So, although we share the same objectives, our targets are unique and market specific to Mauritius.

● <B>What are your priorities for 2008 and what are the customers that you target?</B>

During 2008 we will continue to position ourselves as one of the market leaders by continuing to deliver personal and quality service to all our clients. We will continue to grow our various portfolios, which include property rentals, property sales, property management and property development in both the residential and commercial markets; as well as our involvement in various Integrated Resorts Schemes projects.

«There is a strong interest in commercial development as it is clearly noticeable in the volume of new shopping malls and business parks that are being built.»

● <B>What more can be done to attract foreign investors?</B>

Although we have already seen a relaxation on policy regarding foreign investment in Mauritius, we will see even further foreign interest as local government pushes towards its 2015 target to have over two million visitors. It?s important to get the right structures in place to accommodate and meet the required need for the interest that will be generated. We will find that more and more investors will want to invest in the Mauritian property market.

● <B>Can you describe your role as Business Development Executive, Seeff Properties?</B>

I am based at our Port Louis office which is our commercial head office and it is my responsibility to manage all the commercial aspects of the business, from operational to project management.

Although the residential and commercial markets are two completely different segments of the property industry, there is a close working relationship between the two and I therefore keep a very close working relationship with all other Seeff branches which specialize more with resident sales and letting and property management and strive to create a strong and practical marketing/referral network. This is an advantage for all the buyers and sellers we work with. I like to keep my fingers in the pulse of the industry ? so to speak.

● <B>Some viewers say that the only segment in property development that really works is the IRS and the villas. Do you share this analysis?</B>

It is true that IRS and villas are very popular with foreign investors; it is also true that there is a strong interest in commercial development as it is clearly noticeable in the volume of new shopping malls and business parks that are being built. There is also a strong move from government towards establishing Mauritius as preferred business and IT destination for foreign companies creating new work opportunities for the local market as we can see with the development of areas such as Ebene Cybercity.

● <B>2008 seems promising for the building sector. Can you say the same for the developing sector?</B>

Definitely yes. We have seen a lot of interest and movement in the property market during 2007 and we will definitely continue to see the same trend during 2008.