· web viewthe preparation of the interreg indian ocean programme for 2021-2027

Strategic diagnosis for the preparation of the INTERREG Indian Ocean programme for 2021-2027 Working version

Regional Council of Reunion Island

April 2020

Regional Council of Reunion Island - Strategic Diagnosis - Working Version

1. The region’s main features A large area of regional cooperation covering one-fifth of the globe

Key background data

Number of territories concerned by the INTERREG Indian Ocean programme for the period 2014-2020: 13

Minimum / maximum GDP

- Minimum IOC: Comoros - €1.09bn1

- Maximum IOC: Reunion Island - €17.3bn2

- Maximum Indian Ocean zone: India - €2,516bn1

Madagascar accounts for 99% of the total land area of IOC members, and 89% of the total population²

The surface area of the other IOC members is, in descending order, 2504 km² in Reunion, 1866 km² in Mauritius, 1860 km² in Comoros, and 454 km² in Seychelles²

IOC members represent a community of 28.5 million people3

The total population of the entire Indian Ocean is 2 billion people

The French Southern and Antarctic Lands, which are located in the southern section of the cooperation zone, represent France’s largest nature reserve

► The Indian Ocean is the leading area for European cooperation with a surface area of 74.5 million km² and a total population of more than two billion people, which is one third of the world's population. The area covered by the programme stretches northwards to India, eastwards to Australia; in the south down to the Antarctic Ocean and westwards to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Figure 1 - Stakeholders in the INTERREG Indian Ocean Programme 2014-2020 (Cross-border and Transnational Cooperation)

1 World Bank - OCDE2 (in 2014), IOC (2018), Strategic Development Plan 2018-20213 AFD, regional strategy 2019-2023


► 13 territories and States were stakeholders in the INTERREG Indian Ocean programme for 2014-2020: Reunion, Mayotte, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Comoros, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Maldives, India, Australia and the TAAF. South Africa and Sri Lanka did not agree to participate in the INTERREG Indian Ocean 2014-2020 programme, which meant that projects which had previously been implemented with South Africa in the fields of economics, training, and research and development were therefore not funded during this period.

A wide analysis of macro-regional data reveals stark variations in the region’s socio-economic levels.

► Although common issues emerge between Reunion and the States involved in the INTERREG programme, the latter are notable for their significant socio-economic disparities: some countries boast very high human development (Seychelles, Australia), high (Mauritius, Maldives, South Africa, Sri Lanka), medium (India, Kenya) and low (Tanzania, Mozambique, Comoros, Madagascar)4.

► Economic and social indicators vary greatly between the territories and countries across the region, some of which are relatively downgraded (see chapter on Transversal Dynamics). These downgraded socio-economic indicators are all the more worrying given that the high population growth rates in the region are likely to act as catalysts for vulnerabilities already shared by territories across the region. For example, Comoros and Madagascar experienced population growth rates of +2.5% and +2.9% respectively between 2005 and 2015.

Shared vulnerabilities between the region’s territories in fields such as the environment, politics, security and health.

► The Indian Ocean region has been characterized by a period of rising tensions over the last decade, particularly in fields such as the environment, politics and security. These sectors represent shared common vulnerabilities and risks for the stability of the region and regional integration, reinforced by the lack of intra-regional connectivity.

► The health crisis linked to the COVID pandemic has highlighted the region’s vulnerability to infection, particularly for countries whose tourism sector represents the overwhelming share of their GDP, such as Seychelles and Mauritius. Epidemics regularly affect the region’s tourism economy (chikungunya, dengue fever). The COVID 19 pandemic has also highlighted the isolated nature of these island territories and the fragility of their development, which is dependent on air, sea and digital connections.

► Also, this last decade has seen a significant rise in security risks, observed in increasing acts of piracy across the western part of the Indian Ocean, various forms of trafficking (drugs, illegal financial transactions) and in terrorism (attacks of 21st April 2019 in Sri Lanka and 16th January 2019 in Kenya). Maritime insecurity poses a particular threat to countries which are heavily dependent on food and energy imports. Political instability in the Comoros and Madagascar is also likely to hinder the strengthening of collaborative projects between Reunion and its surrounding region.

► However, the Indian Ocean area boasts many assets, mainly linked to its geographical positioning along key routes linking Africa and Asia, the significant development potential of the blue economy and of renewable energies, its exceptional environmental and cultural heritage, not forgetting the presence of several scientific and technical research centres specialised in finding solutions to problems shared across the region.

► The countries of the Indian Ocean region can also be proud of their long and shared history, marked by the influence of great civilizations, strengthening the sense of belonging and a destiny shared by the region’s different peoples. They are the drivers behind the Indian Ocean’s singular civilization, and the very basis of every project supported by the IOC.

► The territories and States of the Indian Ocean region also benefit from the presence of many regional organisations aiming at a wider economic integration between countries.

4 Human Development Report 2019

http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr_2019_overview_-_french.pdf


Multiple governance structures in the region seek strengthened cooperation between countries, particularly in terms of economic integration.

► Territories and States involved in the INTERREG programme are also stakeholders in various regional organisations working to strengthen functional cooperation and regional integration of their members.

► The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) is an intergovernmental organization created in 1982, bringing together the Union of the Comoros, France (represented by Reunion Island), Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles. It aims to strengthen the collective intra- and extra-regional projects of its members, as well as to promote their interests internationally. Over the years, the IOC has developed projects in many fields: environmental conservation, animal and plant resources, protection of populations, university and research cooperation. It boasts a partnership of nearly 30 years with the European Union, and nearly two-thirds of its financial resources are contributed by the European Development Fund.

► Its approach to the region’s sustainable development is consistent with the other regional organisations: the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the South African Development Community (SADC), which are specifically designed to develop economic exchanges and to which the Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania belong.

► Several INTERREG programme countries are also members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): Australia, the Union of the Comoros, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and Tanzania, whose secretariat is based in Mauritius. This organization also works towards strengthening economic cooperation among its members through the facilitation of trade and investment.

The need for complementarity between EU cooperation policy and regional policies

► Alongside the INTERREG Indian Ocean 2014-2020 programme, which is managed by the Regional Council of Reunion Island as part of the European Union's regional development policy, the Regional Council also supports the development of countries in the area via other funding measures. In particular, the 11th EDF is being implemented via national indicative programmes for Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique, as well as a programme for Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region for the countries belonging to COMESA, EAC, IGAD, IOC and SADC. These EDF programmes are drawn up based on the objectives of (i) peace, security and regional stability, (ii) regional economic integration and (iii) natural resource management.

► An EDF-EDRF consultation committee was set up in 2009, bringing together representatives of the INTERREG management authorities and socio-economic actors from Reunion, Mayotte, the IOC, the IOC General Secretariat, and EU delegations from Madagascar (also covering Comoros) and Mauritius (also covering Seychelles). This Committee aims to ensure coherence between projects financed by the ERDF and the EDF and to identify actions to be jointly financed.

► However, there are still difficulties in linking the ERDF and the EDF and these are clear areas for improvement for the next programming period (discrepancies between fund timetabling, varying regulations, implementation arrangements that are difficult to coordinate, etc.).


2. Transversal dynamics2.1. Economics, research and development

Key background data

Trade with the IOC represents 3.5% of Reunion Island's international trade, mainly with Madagascar and Mauritius5: Madagascar is Reunion's 4th largest export country with €14.5m in 2018 (export of animal feed for shrimp farms) and Mauritius is the second largest regional supplier with €30m6

South Africa is Reunion's leading supplier in the region (€87.7m in 2018), mainly for coal for thermal power plants7

1,550 companies are involved in exports in Reunion (50% from the services sector)8

Significant income disparities exist between countries in the region. The GDP per capita of the region’s territories and countries are as follows9:

- Mozambique: $591

- Madagascar: $490

- India: $2,100

- Tanzania: 959

- Comoros: $1,401

- Kenya: $1,202

- Maldives: $8,033

- Mauritius: $10,578

- Seychelles: $14,385

- Reunion Island: $27,50010

- Australia: $56,842

- South Africa: $7,433

- Sri Lanka: $4,102

Research and development efforts also vary considerably. The share of research and development in relation to GDP is 0.015% in Madagascar11, 0.2% in the Seychelles12, 0.3% in Mauritius13 and Mozambique14, compared to 2% in Australia15.

5 Regional customs of Reunion Island (2018)6 IEDOM (2018)7 IEDOM (2018)8 Réunion Magazine, n°28, December (2019)9 World Bank (2018)10 IOC (2014)11 World Bank (2017)12 World Bank (2016)13 World Bank (2018)14 World Bank (2015)15 World Bank (2015)


Stark economic variations between countries across the region, and opportunities for economic cooperation despite the huge impact of the current health crisis.

Highly varying economies between countries across the region

► As indicated, the Indian Ocean region is characterised by a considerable variation in economies. Among the INTERREG territories and stakeholders, there are three high-income areas (one territory and two countries), three middle-income countries, and five low-income countries.

► The economic performance of the countries in the region is also uneven, highlighting the need to implement the conditions necessary for regular and stable growth. The average growth rates of Madagascar and Comoros were respectively +2.9% and +1.9% over the 2006-2016 period, compared to average rates of between 3 to 4% (Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion Island) and 7% (Tanzania, Maldives, India) over the same period16 17. Australia's economic growth fluctuated between 2 and 4% over the same period to reach 3% in 201818.

► The Seychelles and Mauritius are characterised by a rising standard of living, gradually catching up with that of Reunion Island. Their GDP per capita19 was respectively $9,790 and $5,663 per capita in 2000, compared to $14,385 (+47%) and $10,578 per capita (+86%) in 201820. In Reunion Island, it reached $27,500 per capita in 201421. The Maldives also experienced a significant increase in GDP per capita (+38% between 2000 and 2018, reaching $8,033 per capita)22.

► Mozambique's GDP per capita also increased sharply between 2000 ($289 per capita) and 2018 ($591 per capita).23 The country's growth prospects are significant: Mozambique is preparing to become the world's sixth largest gas producer by 2026, and probably the fourth largest in the longer term, which should enable it to become a middle-income country24. Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa are also observing significant GDP per capita growth rates (+46%, +83% and +25% respectively) to reach $1202, $959 and $7,433 per capita respectively25.

► Other countries have seen their GDP per capita grow at a slower pace, such as Comoros (+8% between 2000 and 2018, to reach $1401)26. Some have seen their GDP per capita stagnate, such as Madagascar ($490 per capita between 2000 and 2018)27.

Opportunities for economic cooperation between Reunion Island and the countries of the Indian Ocean

► Reunion Island benefits from a dual membership of both the European Union and the Indian Ocean, accounting for more than half of the GDP of the IOC area, and within its closer region is continuing to pursue an ambitious policy of economic openness, demonstrated for example by the creation of “Team Export Réunion”28 and by the opening of Regional Council offices29 in other IOC member countries (the first office opened in 2002 in Madagascar).

► Trade between Reunion Island and IOC countries is still low and represents only 3.5% of Reunion Island's foreign trade. In fact, Mainland France is the island's main trading partner, with 41.7% of

16 CEROM17 World Bank18 World Bank19 World Bank20 World Bank21 IOC (2018)22 World Bank23 Worl Bank24 Diplomatie.gouv.fr25 World Bank26 World Bank27 World Bank28 Consortium of Region, Business France, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in partnership with NEXA and Club Export29 Financed by INTERREG programme, they are representations of the Regional Council of Reunion Island


Reunion's exports and 59% of its imports30. France is also the main export country for Madagascar (24.9% of the country's exports, made up of agricultural products, seafood and textiles), the Comoros (36.5%, mainly agricultural products) and the Seychelles (18%, seafood products).

► There is considerable potential for economic collaboration between Reunion and the countries of the Indian Ocean, particularly in the fields of the green economy (agriculture, sustainable tourism, renewable energies), the blue economy (fisheries, port infrastructures) and the circular economy (waste management), all of which are shared challenges across the region and for which Reunion boasts a number of assets. The signing of an industrial partnership agreement between the industrial associations of Mauritius, Madagascar and Reunion, the structuring of regional private sector associations such as the Indian Ocean Island Ports Association, the launch of the Vanilla Alliance, and the many actions carried out by the IOC, for example, demonstrate the high potential for cooperation.

Economies heavily impacted by the current health crisis

► The economies of the Indian Ocean countries are already severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the collapse of tourism (particularly in Mauritius and Seychelles), the textile industry (Madagascar and Mauritius) and services (Mauritius and Reunion). For example, on 23rd March 2020, the loss of turnover for Reunionese companies was estimated at €30.5 million in comparison with the first quarter of 201931.

► The economic effects of this crisis could lead countries in the area to rethink their economies (better provision of food by local production, more resilient tourism strategies).

Significant potential for strengthening research and development to meet the challenges shared by the countries in the zone.

► Countries in the region share several common problems that can be solved by strengthening collaborative projects on a regional level: epidemiology, agri-food, biodiversity conservation, fighting and adapting to climate change, etc.

► The region is notably characterised by significant research efforts in several fields, justifying the necessity for territories and States to work together on common problems in the research sector.

► In the area of food security, the regional platform for agronomic research for development (PReRad) led by CIRAD is helping to create synergies between the various agricultural research organizations in the region (National Institute of Agricultural Research for Fisheries (INRAPE) in the Comoros, the Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture in the Seychelles, FOFIFA and FIFAMANOR in Madagascar, etc.).

► In the health sector, health monitoring projects have been deployed, such as the SEGA project, a Network for Epidemiological Surveillance and Alert Management, created within the IOC zone. In this sector, the international COVID-19 crisis demonstrates the need to strengthen scientific research ‘upstream’, in order to reinforce the preparation of the region’s territories and States.

► Reunion Island benefits from specific structures (national and local research centres, universities, associations, clusters, competitive centres), which are able to carry out research projects related to the challenges faced across the Indian Ocean region. These are all effective tools for opening up the territory to its surrounding environment by addressing common and shared development issues.

30 Regional customs of Reunion Island (2018)31 Survey of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry


2.2. Combating climate change, preserving biodiversity and managing natural risks

Key background data

The southwestern Indian Ocean is one of the world's 36 biodiversity ‘hotspots’.

Between 1964 and 2014, the IOC area observed 100 significant natural events (75 storms, 11 floods, 8 droughts).32

The effects of climate change are expected to bring on a temperature increase of 0.15°C to 0.2°C per decade, and a sea level rise of 30cm to 1m in the region33

81% of primary energy is imported into the IOC area (oil and coal)34

Extremely rich natural heritage and vulnerability to climate change

► The Indian Ocean boasts very rich biodiversity. The south-western part of the region is classified as one of the ‘36’ global biodiversity hotspots. Mayotte and Reunion Island alone are home to a quarter of the world's marine mammal biodiversity35. The TAAFs are home to 47 species of seabirds, 14 of which are threatened with extinction36.

► However, this biodiversity is threatened by increasingly significant anthropogenic and natural risks. As a historic maritime route, 15 ships pass through the Mozambique Channel every day, including 2 to 3 oil tankers, and 30 come past Reunion Island within a radius of 50 miles. Among these, 11% exclusively carry dangerous materials (oil products, chemicals, liquefied gas, etc.)37.

► This situation is all the more worrying as the region is under serious threat from natural phenomena. It is the third most exposed area to natural risks (cyclones, earthquakes, floods, droughts)38. Between 1964 and 2014, the south-western Indian Ocean was affected by 100 significant natural events, generating damages representing €2.87 billion (excluding the French overseas departments and territories)39.

► In 2019, Mozambique was hit by two intense cyclones: Idai and Kenneth. The latter also hit the Comoros hard, which had not experienced a cyclone of this intensity since 2004.

► Due to rising temperatures, the effects of climate change in the region are likely to act as a long-term catalyst (0.15°C to 0.2°C per decade, sea level rise of 30 cm to 1 m by 2100, warming of the ocean surface),40 to which Small Island States and Territories (SIDS), several of which are located in the region, are particularly sensitive.

With this in mind, the following areas are to be see renewed improvements: the preservation of biodiversity, the development of the circular economy, the fight against climate change and the prevention of natural risks.

► Sustained cooperation is implemented covering themes such as natural risk management and the preservation of natural heritage and biodiversity in the Indian Ocean. Based in Reunion Island, the

32 World Bank (2017), South West Indian ocean risk assessment and financing initiative 33 CMUB (2019), Project of Sea basin strategic document AFD (2019), regional strategy34 IOC (2018), Strategic Development Plan 2018-202135 CMUB(2019), Project of Sea basin strategic document36 CMUB(2019), Project of Sea basin strategic document37 CMUB(2019), Project of Sea basin strategic document38 AFD (2019), regional strategy39 World Bank (2017), South West Indian ocean risk assessment and financing initiative40 AFD (2019), regional strategy


PIROI (Plateforme d'Intervention Régional de l'Océan Indien) brings together the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies of countries in the Indian Ocean. It pools resources for natural risk management projects across the region and acts as a real catalyst for developing solidarity and relations between neighbouring islands in this field.

► The meteorological monitoring agencies of the region’s countries also work together, refining their forecast models for cyclones. Networks bringing together researchers and stakeholders in biodiversity conservation have also been set up, such as the IndoCet network41 for cetaceans. The project to create a Regional Biodiversity Agency, endorsed by the 34th Council of Ministers of the IOC in March 2020, also reflects the strong will of IOC member states to prioritize this topic.

► In addition, the territories and States of the region have demonstrated renewed ambitions for the development of both the circular economy and renewable energies. Several studies are currently being carried out in the region to develop the circular economy and strengthen a dynamic partnership between the IOC, the French Ministry of Overseas Territories and the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Indian Ocean (UCCIOI).

► Furthermore, the majority of the territories and States in the region have ambitious objectives for the development of renewable energies, for which they have many natural assets, both on land and at sea. For example, Mauritius aims to reach a target of 35% of energy from renewable sources by 202542. The Seychelles aims to reach a rate of 15% by 203043. In Reunion Island, the goal is to reach 100% renewable energy by 203044. Comoros has been implementing the Global Climate Change Alliance Programme with European funding45 since 2014, seeking to reduce their GHGs by 84% compared to current forecasts by 2030.

► Reunion Island can draw on solid and recognised expertise in all of these fields, but can also rely on a whole ecosystem of companies working to produce renewable energies. A local partnership between the ADEME and the Regional Council has also been set up, promoting projects that are linked to the circular economy and seek to further build on this ecosystem of stakeholders.

► Across the Indian Ocean, greater structure is being given to companies and projects, as highlighted for example by the ‘Eco.Actions’ forum on the circular economy, organized in Mauritius from 9th to 11th December. This forum aimed to raise awareness of the circular economy’s potential as a development strategy for the blue economy, bringing together public and private organisations and youth groups from several territories and countries (Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, Maldives, Reunion, Seychelles, Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau) and development partners including the World Bank.

► In the field of energy transition, the €15 million ENERGIES programme financed from the 10th EDF has supported a wide range of actions to accompany the energy transition across the Indian Ocean region. These include the establishment of the Indian Ocean Energy Observatory, the IOS-net database measuring solar radiation, the ENERGIC platform for sharing knowledge on renewable energy and energy efficiency, and the financing of studies on the energy uses of biomass and the potential of biofuels.

2.3. Social and health dynamics

Key background data

The region’s territories and countries are affected by significant social inequalities (Kenya has a GINI index of 0.4846 compared to 0.34 in Australia47).

41 The consortium’s objective is cetaceans protection in the South West of Indian Ocean42 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean43 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean44 DEAL, Programmation pluriannuelle de l’énergie La Réunion45 https://amcc-comores.info/ 46 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean47 World Bank, GINI index

https://amcc-comores.info/


Literacy rates reflect the low levels of education and training in Mozambique (56%), Comoros (59%)48, Madagascar (64%)49, while rates are close to 100% in Reunion Island, the Maldives and Australia.

Data on life expectancy show poor levels and low access to health care in some countries in the region.

- Minimum life expectancy at birth: Mozambique - 58 years old50

- Maximum life expectancy at birth: Reunion Island (80.9 years)51 and Australia (82 years)52

A region impacted by unequal social structures and public services that mobility projects may help to alleviate.

► The region’s social indicators are low and demonstrate unequal access to health care and public services. Inequalities are particularly noted in Comoros, Madagascar, Seychelles, Kenya, South Africa and Mozambique (GINI indices53 are above 0.4) and less than or equal to 0.35 in India, Mauritius and Australia. In Reunion Island, the index stands at 0.3954. Literacy rates reflect poor education/training indicators, except for Reunion, Maldives and Australia, for which they are close to 100%55. This is compared to 56% and 64% for Mozambique and Madagascar56. Life expectancy at birth and infant mortality rates also reflect access to low quality health care, except in Reunion Island and Australia (life expectancy at birth of 80.957 and 82 years58respectively). Life expectancy is 58 years old in Mozambique, 62 years in South Africa, and 63 years in the Comoros. The infant mortality rates stand at 53 and 35 per thousand in Mozambique and the Comoros respectively and 34 per thousand in South Africa, compared to 6.8 per thousand in Reunion Island59.

► Benefitting from strong support from the INTERREG programme under the current programming period, mobility schemes are effective tools for enhancing skills and employability of the target groups (mainly young people), while strengthening the dynamics of cooperation and exchanges between the countries concerned. In this field, Reunion Island has educational infrastructures which are open to students from across the region (University of Reunion, GIP FCIP, local CIEP centre, agricultural high schools) implementing training and exchange programmes. It also has high-quality infrastructures and a network of sports associations which could be used to strengthen specific cooperation projects.

► In particular, Reunion Island has a University Hospital with all necessary technical facilities, making it a regional safety net for certain countries in the zone. It provides training for medical professionals and students from Indian Ocean countries. The University Hospital project has given priority to areas of research which take into account the common health challenges faced across the region (chronic diseases, infectious diseases, perinatal problems), including emerging diseases.

48 World Bank49 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean50 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean51 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean52 World Population Prospects – World Bank53 GINI index is a statistic indiactor of the level of inequality in a population54 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean55 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean CIA World Factbook 201556 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean57 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean58 World Population Prospects – World Bank59 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean


The health crisis linked to the COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of the vulnerability of small island territories and countries

► The pandemic linked to the COVID-19 outbreak highlights the vulnerability of States across the region, not only on a simply sanitary level concerning countries’ healthcare capacities, but also on an economic level, due to their strong dependence on tourist income. One example is the Seychelles, despite the fact that they are situated far from highly-infected areas.

► Support for health monitoring networks in the region has taken on renewed importance in this context, as does the strengthening of health systems, such as the IOC's SEGA regional epidemiological surveillance network implemented following the chikungunya epidemic, financed by the AFD. Following on from this, the decision was taken to create a “SEGA One Health” fund to further extend this network during the last IOC Council of Ministers in March 2020.

► The international crisis of COVID-19 has in fact revealed the need for networking and coordination at a regional level, particularly concerning food safety, data production and dedicated research. It also highlighted the region’s territories and States lack of coordination in the field of crisis management. For example, there is currently no regional agreement on medical repatriation.

2.4. Tourism and sharing between culturesKey background data

The tourism sector is growing steadily in all territories and States of the IOC zone60:

- Reunion Island was visited by 534 630 tourists in 2018 (+32% compared to 2014)

- Mauritius: 1,399,408 tourists in 2018 (+34% compared to 2014)

- Seychelles: 361,844 tourists in 2018 (+55% compared to 2014)

- Madagascar: 291,299 tourists in 2018 (+31% compared to 2014)

- Comoros: 35,865 tourists in 2018 (+57% compared to 2014)

In 2018, tourists from Reunion Island travelled mainly to Mauritius, but the strongest growth in volume was recorded with the Seychelles (+40% of tourists from Reunion Island since 2014)61:

- 138,439 tourists from Reunion Island visited Mauritius in 2018 (-2% compared to 2014)

- 6,203 in Seychelles (+40% compared to 2014)

- 18,235 in Madagascar in 201462

- 3,785 in the Comoros (-6.8% compared to 2017)

Reunion's tourism remains largely focused on Mainland France (80% of visitors).

The development of the tourism sector is uneven between the countries across the region. Foreign exchange earnings linked to tourism are the following63:

- €7.9bn in South Africa

- €4.1bn in Sri Lanka

- €3bn in the Maldives

60 World Tourism Organization (2019), Yearbook of Tourism Statistics dataset61 World Tourism Organization (2019), Yearbook of Tourism Statistics dataset62 Pas de données plus récentes63 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean


- €1.9bn in Tanzania

- €1.8bn € in Mauritius

- €1.5bn in Kenya

- €520 million in Madagascar64

- €454 million in the Seychelles

- €103 million in Mozambique

- €35.3 million in the Comoros

The development of the tourism sector is uneven between the countries in the region, but is identified as a strategic sector for most of them.

► Revenues linked to the tourism sector vary greatly between countries across the region. They amount to €35.3 million and €103 million respectively in the Comoros and Mozambique, compared to €520 million in Madagascar65 €1.5 billion in Kenya, €1.8 billion in Mauritius, €1.9 billion in Tanzania, €3 billion in the Maldives, €4.1 billion in Sri Lanka and €7.9 billion in South Africa66. The tourism sector constitutes a considerable driver for development for most countries in the region.

► The area benefits from a wealth of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, due to its population of mixed origins, its shared history, languages (Creole, French, English, Portuguese) or its culture and lifestyle (gastronomy, dance, music, architecture, etc.).

► The specific features of each territory provide the region with a considerable wealth of natural sites and cultural exceptions. The islands of the Indian Ocean have many assets and complementarities in terms of tourism: biodiversity, historical and cultural heritage, beaches, hiking, etc. Among the territories and States involved in the INTERREG 2014-2020 programme, there are 32 natural sites, 45 cultural sites, and 6 mixed cultural and natural sites.

► Cultural and tourist networks have already been established in the region (or are in the process of), such as the Vanilla Islands Association, which aims to form partnerships between local destinations in order to enhance their shared tourist potential, or efforts to develop joint cruise offers. Furthermore, development of the region’s tourism sector is suffering from a lack of direct flight connections between the countries and islands in the region.

An Indian Ocean identity is developing, but a sense of belonging to the Indian Ocean region still remains limited

► Thanks to a common cultural heritage between the countries due to their population of mixed origins, their history (colonization, slavery), language (Creole) or their way of life (gastronomy, dance, music, architecture...), further boosted by the specific features of each territory, the region boasts a considerable wealth of cultural diversity.

► An Indian Ocean identity is being developed thanks to IOC projects as part of their 2013 Regional Cultural Strategy together with UNESCO support, such as the creation of an IOC anthem in 2014 called ‘TOGETHER’. Following a pre-feasibility study financed by the AFD, a regional project in favour of cultural and creative industries will be set up, as a direct result of the will of IOC

64 Madagascar Tribune (2019): https://www.madagascar-tribune.com/Recette-de-520-millions-de-dollars-en-2018.html65 Madagascar Tribune (2019): https://www.madagascar-tribune.com/Recette-de-520-millions-de-dollars-en-2018.html66 CEROM (2018), Atlas of the Indian Ocean

https://www.madagascar-tribune.com/Recette-de-520-millions-de-dollars-en-2018.html





members to build an Indian Ocean Cultural Centre. Structural projects have already benefitted from funding via the INTERREG 2014-2020 programme, such as the project for a historical Indian Ocean sound archive, or the project to create a network database of the Indian Ocean’s iconographic heritage.

► Reinforcing a sense of belonging to the Indian Ocean region has been identified as a priority by the region’s governing bodies (in particular the IOC), in order to strengthen cultural links between countries and thus encourage cooperation for the benefit of the region as a whole.

· web viewthe preparation of the interreg indian ocean programme for 2021-2027

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