Mon Trésor Smart City nearing realisation

In Photo: From left to right: Joël Bruneau, Head of Property Development, Jacques M. d’Unienville, CEO of Omnicane, Peter Wilhelm, CEO of Wilco Group, Nicole Van den Plas, Head of Design and Communication at Wilco Group, Thomas Schoutens, Chief Development Officer at Wilco Group and Mr Ken Poonoosamy, Managing Director of the Board of Investment (BOI).

A new step towards the realisation of the Mon Trésor Smart City was reached on Tuesday 14 March, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Belgian group Wilco Group and Omnicane. The agreement covers the design, development and construction of a multifunctional commercial space at the entrance to the new Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport leading to Mon Trésor. The MoU was signed by the CEO of the Wilco Group, Mr. Peter Wilhelm and Mr. Jacques Marrier d'Unienville, CEO of Omnicane, promoter of the Mon Trésor Smart City.

The event was attended by Mr. Ken Poonoosamy, at the Board of Investment booth at MIPIM, the largest international market for real estate professionals, in the prestigious setting of the Palais des Festivals de la Croisette in Cannes, France, which was held until Friday, March 17.

Boasting Mon Trésor Smart City as an innovative and avant-garde project, Peter Wilhelm, CEO of the Wilco Group explained that his organisation proposes a unique and long-term approach to its partners thanks to its multidisciplinary teams, international dimension, knowledge of the field and know-how. 

“In Belgium, we have initiated the development of mixed projects, real living places where it is good to live, work, relax and shop, as environmental certification with the development of the very first shopping centre which is BREEAM certified, Médiacité. We are already present in France and in Africa and now, thanks to Omnicane and Mon Trésor, in the Indian Ocean,” said Mr Wilhelm.

The MIPIM brings together the most influential players from all sectors of the real estate sector: offices, residential, retail, health, sports, logistics, industrial, etc. For four days, participants were able to access the largest real estate development projects and international capital sources, through the conferences and networking.

Mr. Jacques d'Unienville, CEO of Omnicane, said: "Mon Trésor will benefit from the know-how of the Wilco Group, in terms of the creation of a commercial centre cohabiting harmoniously with the housing, office units in an integrated architectural approach.” Mr. d'Unienville is currently leading a team of Mon Trésor at MIPIM to present the different aspects of its proposed smart city. Wilco Group with be part of the steering committee of the project.

The construction of the first Mauritian smart city began at the end of 2016 near the airport zone. The first phase, adjacent to the Holiday Inn Mauritius Hotel, includes the Business Gateway and the Omnicane Headquarters. In addition, a freeport area, as well as facilities designed to accommodate light industries, are also on track. The residential component of the smart city will be launched in the coming weeks.