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Not everything is positive. Mauritius imports most of its food and energy, so rising world prices are pushing up inflation. Much of the economy remains concentrated in the hands of a few local conglomerates, often owned by descendants of French settlers who made their original fortunes out of sugar. The government has promised to spread the benefits of a growing economy more widely, but the so-called 'sugar barons' still wield much influence. The imminent creation of a competition commission, together with the development of new industries, may help loosen their grip.
A recession in rich countries will hit the country's tourism and exports. But Mauritius has weathered previous storms. Its prime minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, says its success has depended on regular changes of government at the ballot box. An independent judiciary helps, as does the fact that the three main parties all agree on the broad direction of policy.
The island's people are a mix of Indian, European, African and Chinese. Religious, ethnic and cultural differences run deep. But Mr Ramgoolam says the island has avoided the 'poison of communal divisions'. The fact that Mauritians were all immigrants also helpssome were colonials, many were indentured labourers. 'All of us came on different ships from different continents,' says the prime minister. 'Now we're all on the same boat.'

A. 어휘
conglomerate 企業集團(기업집단). descendant 後孫(후손). settler 식민지 정착자.
baron 男爵(남작), 귀족, 대실업가. sugar baron 설탕왕. wield 휘두르다.
imminent 臨迫(임박)한. competition commission 경쟁위원회. recession 경기후퇴.
weather [폭풍우, 곤란을]이겨 내다. prime minister 首相(수상), 총리.
ballot box 투표함. judiciary 사법부. ethnic 인종의. avoid 피하다.
communal division 공동체의 분열. immigrant 移民(이민), 귀화동식물.
colonial 식민지 주민. indenture 年限附(연한부) 고용살이로 하다, 도제살이로 하다.
indentured labourer 연한부 노동자.