Mauritius sees healthcare at 5 pct of GDP by 2015

Mauritius (Reuters) - Mauritius' healthcare and life-sciences sector is seen expanding over the next five years, thanks partly to a boom in medical tourism, its health minister said on Thursday.

Minister Rajesh Jeetah said life-sciences included clinical research and pharmaceutical development.

Once reliant on sugar and textiles, the Indian Ocean island has diversified into tourism, IT and business outsourcing and offshore banking to become one of Africa's most stable and prosperous economies.

"We expect the healthcare and life-sciences sector to contribute 5 percent of GDP by 2015 from three percent now." Jeetah said.

Foreign direct investment into the sector grew to 157 million Mauritius rupees last year from 2 million rupees in 2007, Jeetah said.

The minister said growth in the healthcare sector would create 15,000 new jobs by 2015 on the island nation of 1.3 million people.

Mauritius' almost $10 billion economy will grow faster than previously thought this year after weathering the global downturn well, supported by infrastructure spending and a rebound in key export sectors.

Best known for its azure waters and white sandy beaches, the palm-fringed island is trying to position itself as a medical destination for foreigners.

Mauritius expects 100,000 foreign patients annually by 2015, up from 10,000 last year, for treatments ranging from cardiothoracic surgery to hair grafting, Jeetah said.