Initiated by the Mauritian government, the development is aimed at attracting foreigners to buy property in Mauritius.
The resort, on Mauritius' east coast, is set in 213ha of private sugar estate with a 6km seafront. The property consists of 300 residential units, ranging from $700,000 to $5m, and has a Four Seasons hotel and golf course designed by South African golfer Ernie Els. Ciel said the development would provide a "residency in Mauritius for the select few".
Ciel Properties GM Nicolas Vaudin said in Johannesburg yesterday that the group had chosen to showcase the property investment opportunity to South Africans because it expected Anahita's prospective buyers to reflect Mauritius' tourist base, of which South Africans accounted for 7%.
"Mauritius is very well known by South Africans, and the familiarity with the destination will help when making a purchasing decision," he said.
In terms of exchange-control regulations, Mauritius is considered a Southern African Development Community country, and individuals looking to invest in fixed property are often granted an allowance above the R2m threshold.
Vaudin said there had been strong interest from investors in London and Paris, where two other launches were held earlier this month.
Construction of the hotel and the golf course has already started, while building of the first residential unit is scheduled for June.
Ciel hoped to have completed the development by 2010, though Vaudin said this would "depend on the pace of sales and demand".
Investors attracted to the development are foreigners looking to relocate to Mauritius, retired people, or individuals interested in buying an investment property they could use as a holiday home.
The integrated resort scheme, introduced in 2002, is aimed at attracting high-net-worth individuals to Mauritius by offering the opportunity to buy immovable property investments for a minimum of $500,000.
Foreigners who are involved in the integrated resort scheme after buying property are granted residency in Mauritius for as long as they hold the investment.
