Last year I visited the tropical island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. I was immediately struck by the similarity between Antigua and Mauritius, but felt that we had things to learn from the development of that far away island.
Our history runs a parallel course. The islands are similar in size with sandy beaches and tropical vegetation. Colonisation by European powers happened at the same historical period, with importation of slave labour to operate the sugar plantations, followed by eventual freedom and independence. Although the first colonisers of Mauritius were French, the British soon arrived and now everybody speaks English, following the British educational system.
Both islands have developed tourism as the major industry, and along similar lines with big resorts and small hotels. Antigua’s beaches are definitely superior, but Mauritius has recognised that nowadays tourists need more than sun, sea and sand. Ecology is the buzzword, and Mauritius has developed two world-class facilities that could be ecological naturals for Antigua.
In l735 Antigua built a prison, still known as “l735. “ In l735 Mauritius created a botanical garden which has been cared for and enhanced ever since, so that visitors come from all over the world to see it.
I was struck by the fact that nearly all the trees, plants and flowers were the same as those here, but the garden is an enchanting place of landscaping to show everything to perfection. Huge pools of water lilies create coolness. An admission fee is charged, there is a cafe, and a shop sells related souvenirs. This is a large parkland of tropical tranquility. You can wander around on your own or take a well-informed local guide. You feel completely safe however far you wander.
What has Antigua done about our own botanical garden? Sadly its reputation has sunk over the years for reasons we know only too well.
Mauritius also has a separate national exotic bird park. Large ornamental aviaries, set amidst manicured trees and shrubs, house all the beautiful birds which are found in private collections in Antigua.
I spoke to the French curator who obviously loves his work and the feathered friends in his care. Again, visitors come from all over the world to visit this park. Sadly, such a project seems to be beyond us.
While we have totally abandoned sugar cane, Mauritius is only gradually phasing it out. Antigua still produces a variety of first class rums in quantity for which we are famous. Strangely enough, Mauritius, with all that sugar cane, is not known for its rum at all. It was difficult to find one bottle there.
However, we were intrigued to see small local industries which are rapidly developing to meet international demand. Mauritius produces exquisite very fine cotton shirts, caftans and dresses with tropical designs, light as feathers, so easy to export.
Their entrepreneurs are also importing high quality cashmere from China and weaving it into unique garments of exceptionally high quality. Strange to think of buying warm cashmere in a hot climate but the tourists are snapping up these beautiful clothes.
Mauritius has relaxed the labour laws to make investment in small local manufacturing financially viable.
This has not happened in Antigua. Our brilliant former attorney general, Cosmos Philips, now sadly deceased, told me that he felt he had been instrumental in killing small industry in Antigua, as he had drafted the Labour Code.
This code so much favours the employee that it is not viable for any potential employer to invest in a labour-intensive business in Antigua. From my own small experience I know that this is, sadly, the case.
Unless Antigua modifies the Labour Code to give a potential investor the ability to control staff without all the rules and regulations now existing, there will be no investment in businesses which require employees, or work permits for foreigners. I remember many small manufacturing businesses in Antigua that have ceased to exist and have never been replaced.
Mauritius also recognises the benefits of middle class foreigners building or buying houses and becoming residents and soon citizens of their country. Consequently they abolished alien landholding licences and simplified all the checks on foreigners who want to buy land and build or simply purchase an existing property.
Residency is immediately given on property purchase, and citizenship becomes possible after three years. Here in Antigua enthusiastic potential foreign house builders or purchasers lose interest when confronted with the time wasting bureaucratic and legal rigmarole we impose upon them.
This more flexible attitude has not changed the fact that Mauritius is for the local people who are working hard to become successful. The crime rate is low, everybody feels safe, and the atmosphere is cheerful and welcoming.
Mauritius is much further away from Europe than Antigua, but Europeans and British tourists are increasingly heading for the Indian Ocean even though the flights are so much longer. Antigua needs to address all the possible facilities to attract more tourists and to simplify investment procedures while creating a welcoming and safe environment.
Perhaps we can learn from the development of another tropical island so similar to our own.
By Edna Fortescue, AntiguaObserver.com