The economic upturn and performance of Mauritius is a far cry from predictions made in the 1960s. The island’s remarkable economic performance since the 1980s can been attributed to a multitude of factors instrumental to the success of the economy, including structural reforms, outward looking export orientated strategies, diversification in the manufacturing, tourism and financial services sectors amongst others, sound economic governance and institutions, and significant investment in human capital. This book attempts to provide a detailed analysis of the various key ingredients which have helped to propel Mauritius to its current status. The various chapters provide important readings for both academics and policymakers, with the final chapter providing key policy strategies which the government needs to implement to help Mauritius graduate to the next level of development: namely to that of a high-income economy and, in moving out of the middle-income trap, laying the foundations for future growth and shared prosperity in the light of both domestic challenges and global constraints.

The volume Environmental Change and African Societies contributes to current debates on global climate change from the perspectives of the social sciences and the humanities. It charts past and present environmental change in different African settings and also discusses policies and scenarios for the future. The first section, "Ideas", enquires into local perceptions of the environment, followed by contributions on historical cases of environmental change and state regulation. The section "Present" addresses decision-making and agenda-setting processes related to current representations and/or predicted effects of climate change. The section "Prospects" is concerned with contemporary African megatrends. The authors move across different scales of investigation, from locally-grounded ethnographic analyses to discussions on continental trends and international policy. Contributors are: Daniel Callo-Concha, Joy Clancy, Manfred Denich, Sara de Wit, Ton Dietz, Irit Eguavoen, Ben Fanstone, Ingo Haltermann, Laura Jeffrey, Emmanuel Kreike, Vimbai Kwashirai, James C. McCann, Bertrand F. Nero, Jonas Ø. Nielsen, Erick G. Tambo, Julia Tischler.

The 2012 UNEP Foresight Process on Emerging Global Environmental Issues primarily identified emerging environmental issues and possible solutions on a global scale and perspective. In 2013, UNEP carried out a similar exercise to identify priority emerging environmental issues that are of concern to the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The social and economic emerging issues were also identified using the same set of criteria. At the core of the process was a SIDS Foresight Panel consisting of 11 SIDS experts (for the UNEP Panel) and 12 experts (for the UN DESA Panel) from the three SIDS regions, representing the global SIDS community and a wide range of disciplines. The process was designed to open the discussion on emerging environmental issues to a broad range of views both from the Foresight Panel and a wider community of relevant experts from across the globe. Through the Foresight Process, separate lists of 20 environmental and 15 socioeconomic emerging issues were identified and discussed in this report.

This valuable book summarizes recent research by experts from both the natural and social sciences on the effects of population growth on land use. It is a useful introduction to a field in which little quantitative research has been conducted and in which there is a great deal of public controversy. The book includes case studies of African, Asian, and Latin American countries that demonstrate the varied effects of population growth on land use. Several general chapters address the following timely questions: What is meant by land use change? Why are ecological research and population studies so different? What are the implications for sustainable growth in agricultural production? Although much work remains to be done in quantifying the causal connections between demographic and land use changes, this book provides important insights into those connections, and it should stimulate more work in this area.

This unique and thoughtful book considers the tourism specialization, economic growth, and tourism competitiveness of a very specific type of tourism: small islands practicing warm water island tourism. This new book thoroughly examines the phenomenon of why some small island destinations have been more successful than others. The main premise applied is that success and survival of small island tourism hinges on resolving the mystery regarding the relationship between competitiveness and quality of life. In addressing this question, the book reviews four relevant and interconnected concepts: tourism, competitiveness, quality of life, and scale (or size). In doing so, the book enhances understanding of the potential of tourism for the improvement of the quality of life of the residents of small islands. In the last chapter of the book, the author assesses the impact of COVID-19 on tourism and specifically its ramifications for small island destinations. Whether small island populations can rise from beneath the COVID -19 burden that threatens their economic future is yet to be seen. Small Island and Small Destination Tourism: Overcoming the Smallness Barrier for Economic Growth and Tourism Competitiveness is written from a sustainable perspective that combines tourism dynamics, development, competitiveness, quality of life, and business. As such, it is aimed at a broad but higher-level audience including graduate students, academicians and researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and international organizations.

This Economic Paper builds on the 2014 SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action Pathway, which provides guidance on economic, environmental and social priorities in small island developing states. It offers detailed analysis and guidance on alternative economic development strategies and recommends policies to build competitiveness in new industries.

1. Introduction -- 2. Poverty and tourism unpacked -- 3. Tourism entrenches poverty -- 4. Poverty attracts tourists -- 5. Tourism reduces poverty-- tourism industry approaches -- 6. Tourism reduces poverty--government approaches -- 7. Tourism reduces poverty-- development agency approaches -- 8. Conclusion.

This review assesses the climate for domestic and foreign investment in Mauritius. It discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by the government in its reform efforts. Capitalising on the OECD Policy Framework for Investment and the OECD Foreign Direct Investment Qualities Policy Toolkit, this review explores trends and qualities in foreign investment, development successes and productivity challenges, investment policy, investment promotion and facilitation, and investment incentives. The review highlights potential reform priorities to help Mauritius fulfil its development ambitions that align with its commitment to comply with the principles of openness, transparency and non discrimination. This report also helps Mauritius, as a new Adherent to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, to promote greater investment policy transparency, as well as responsible business conduct.

The Maldives has propelled itself to middle-income status despite its geographic constraints and the risks it faces as a small island economy. The economy has been growing in the last 5 years, but development challenges remain formidable. How can the Maldives sustain and improve the pace of its economic growth and reduce poverty and inequality? This report identifies the critical constraints to inclusive growth and discusses policy options to overcome such constraints.