PORT LOUIS, May 21 – Mauritius has launched a 30-per cent expense refund scheme for film producers wishing to shoot films in the island nation, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Under the scheme, film makers will obtain a 30-per cent refund on all expenses incurred for shooting of their projects in Mauritius. TV serials and commercials will also be eligible for this rebate.
The government is specifically targeting film makers from India, given the historical connection between the two countries and popularity of Indian films in Mauritius.
A few big names such as Yashraj Films will shoot their upcoming films here with more likely to join in, said officials from the Board of Investment, the government’s investment promotion agency.
Three Indian films are ready to begin shooting under the new rebate scheme including one Indian project and a Punjabi film, officials said.
The Mauritius government has presented its vision for a film industry in its 2012 Budget in which provision is made for the development of Mauritius as a film-making destination for film-shooting, animation and post-production activities.
The first Indian film shot in Mauritius was Sanjay Khan’s ‘Chandi Sona’ in the 1970s, and recent bollywood movies filmed include ‘Go Goa Gone’, ‘Chasme Baddoor’, ‘Break Ke Baad’, ‘No Entry’ and ‘Kidnap’, among others.
Indian movies are popular in Mauritius, which is often referred to as Mini India given the vast similarities in culture.
-BERNAMA
