CSO raises 2011 GDP growth forecast

Mauritius expects its economy to grow by 4.5 percent this year, higher than a 4.2 percent forecast issued in December, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) said on Thursday.

The revised forecast mirrors the central bank's view that the Indian Ocean island nation's economy will grow more than previously forecast, driven by a robust last quarter recovery.

Central bank governor Rundheersing Bheenick said earlier this week that the economy could expand by 4.6 percent in 2011, up from an earlier forecast of 4.2 percent. 

"On the basis of information gathered on key sectors of the economy, and taking into consideration measures announced in the last budget, GDP is now forecast to grow by around 4.5 percent in 2011, higher than the 4.2 percent growth forecasted in December 2010," the CSO said in a statement.

The CSO said the hotels and restaurants sector would grow by about 4.0 percent this year based on 980,000 tourist arrivals, up from 934,827 visitors in 2010.

"Tourist earning is forecasted at 42.5 billion rupees ($1.5 billion) in 2011 compared to 39.4 billion rupees in 2010," it said.