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Archived Articles
Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.
He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.
In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.
Global Real Estate Project
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Mauritius: Rent of democracyIn a region where nations are blessed with natural resources but are poor of good governance, Mauritius represents a striking contrast. Its main treasure is its people, their good education and professional skills. Making people so valuable couldn't be possible without system of governance based on their consent and constant approval. This very small country east of Africa in Indian Ocean politically looks remarkably 'European' in the best sense of the word. Despite some economic difficulties this system is the main guarantee insuring Mauritius' bright future. Sailors knew Mauritius for more than a thousand years, but international trade began with European explorations during 16th c. This tiny island changed hands several times until it reached peacefully independence in late 1960s from Britain. Even since Mauritius applies free and fair parliamentary elections and level of political and social freedom is constantly high. Something most countries in the region don't even try to apply, Mauritius makes political executive, both president and prime minister, completely dependent on elected parliament. Parliament itself gives extra seats to several small ethnic minorities thus guaranteeing their representation and therefore their interests. This combination of mechanisms is remarkably 'European'; it prevents tyranny from above and uncontrollable large discontent from below. In economic plan things don't look so bright right now, but there is no real danger for social system survival. Sugarcane traditionally is the main agriculture, occupying almost all fertile lands and securing up to a quarter of all foreign incomes. Local population however gradually moves away from this labor-intensive production to better income services. This process requires time and investments, a process that seem well under way in Mauritius, where government gives additional incentives for developing tourism and financial sector. Sugarcane and textile industry, another former economic pillar, are given to foreign guest workers, currently numbering 30,000. Most of them come from few countries like China, India and Bangladesh. Work conditions for these guest workers need improvement, but even under present conditions it seems there is plenty of unskilled foreigners ready to move to Mauritius. Future is not in sugar and textile but in banking, international trade and tourism. Mauritius already attracted 10,000 offshore companies, aiming at commerce in India and South Africa. Investment in banking sector alone already surpasses $1bn. More and even bigger investments in real estate are coming. Government invites developers for more than 1,000 hectares in the center of the island, including commercial and office spaces worth $3bn.
Mauritius country profile:
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