A new South African heavyweight is entering the Mauritian market though a partnership and is interested by the IRS and RES villas.
Jawittz Properties, real estate enterprise founded in 1969 in South Africa by Eskel Jawitz, is now present in Mauritius and in Rodrigues through a franchise. The franchised is none other than Dev Dhaliah, Mauritian businessman in charge of the Parker Randall consultancy cabinet in Mauritius. He will be assist by his son Reetesh Dhaliah in Jawitz Properties Mauritius daily management. “The team formed by Dev and Reetesh Dhaliah has a flawless reputation and is capable of carrying out this mission”, said Gary Wentzel, responsible of the franchising system of the South African society. The purpose of this franchise is the selling or the renting of residential, commercial or industrial properties. Gary Wentzel further stated that Jawitz Properties presence in Mauritius is a logical enterprise which reckons the boom in the real estate market since the previous years. Since the introduction of the IRS (Integrated Resorts Scheme) villas in 2004 and RES (Real Estate Scheme) in December 2007, several promoters rushed into this breach. The construction growth rate, which was of 15, 2% in 2007, is still showing a positive inclining even though the performance in 2008 encountered a small slip (11, 1%). A two digits expansion in this industry in times of crisis reflects the intensity of the shopping centre’s construction work, as well as office spaces, hotels and villas during the preceding years in Mauritius. Jawitz Properties shall use the clients’ network in order to channel the new buyers from the main office to Port-Louis. For the relief of real estate promoters who witness the decrease of their profits due to the crisis. Furthermore, Jawitz Properties Mauritius responsible are planning to start the construction of RES luxury villas during the forthcoming months, confident that the recovery is already at the Mauritian doors.
L’Eco austral: Why a franchise with the South-African Jawitz Properties?
Dev Dhaliah: For me it is a vertical integration. Given my activities in the financial sector, many of my clients (Dev Dhaliah is the Managing Partner of the Parker Randall consultancy firm in Mauritius- Ed) request my services for land purchases. Mauritius is more and more open to foreigners and real estate is considered as a safe investment by investors who prefer to invest theirs capitals in the purchase if IRS or RES villas rather than other goods. To cater for this demand, real estate promoters redouble their efforts. With this franchise, we wish to do a professional work. This is the reason why we chose a renowned company like Jawitz, which has a 40 years experience in the real estate industry and which has proves its worth in South Africa.
L’Eco austral: What does Jawitz Properties bring to you in Mauritius?
First of all there is its clients’ database. The South Africans are more and more interested by our island. Thanks to this franchise, we hope to see coming towards us potential clients who express the need to buy or to rent real estate goods in Mauritius. This will be made easier as, with its IT network, Jawitz Properties South Africa can access our IRS and RES villas offers.
Is South Africa your only target market?
No not at all. We are submitting to the Mauritian government a residence construction project destined to low incomes households. Then, it will come the turn of middle income households or which incomes are slightly higher than the average incomes. We are targeting the foreigners, whichever the nationality, through IRS and RES, as much as Mauritians.
Source: ÉCO AUSTRAL N° 237 - NOVEMBER 2009
Article and interview by Nico Panou
