1. Could you introduce Ramasawmy & Ramasawmy Construction and share how the company has grown from its origins into a respected and longstanding player in Mauritius' construction and infrastructure sector?
Colen Ramasawmy: The company was incorporated in 1995 with my late father. We started very small, jobs of 200 square feet or so, for our first client, Mauritius Telecom. Those were small exchanges with antennas, each building worth about one million rupees. After two to three years, we moved into government projects, such as the postnatal ward at SSRN Hospital in Pamplemousses, and later the School for the Blind in Beau Bassin.
My father passed away in 2001, leaving me with the company. I continued with small houses and gradually, by 2004, entered larger developments like villa construction. I was managing everything myself, contract management, operations, quality, procurement. By 2007, we transitioned into hotel renovations, which accelerated our growth. I completed between 8 and 10 hotel projects for major groups such as Sun Resorts, Beachcomber, Naïade, and Attitude etc.
Pazani joined in 2015 during the renovation of Ravenala Hotel ( 272 rooms and public areas ). He initially came as a QS assistant but grew into project management under my mentorship. Today, he leads operations entirely. We have completed more than 100 projects, houses, hotels, commercial spaces, all delivered to the satisfaction of our clients.
We are working on nearly all major smart city developments in Mauritius: Anahita, Valriche, Azuri, Moka Smart City, ENL Properties, Mont Choisy Group and more. We specialize in high-end villas and can arrange site visits or share videos to showcase our standards. Our constant motto has been to deliver the best quality and value for money. Many in the industry will tell you that we have set a high benchmark for construction quality in Mauritius.
2. Mauritius is investing heavily in modern infrastructure as part of its long-term development vision. How does your company contribute to national priorities such as housing, transport, and community infrastructure?
Pazani Moothoo Curpen: We try to foresee the construction landscape in Mauritius, especially with climate change challenges. As a small island nation, sustainability and safety are vital. Our aim is not just to build houses but to engineer safe communities.
We have delivered several national housing developments, aligned with the government’s mandate to expand access to quality housing. Sustainability is central to our work, using greener materials, improving construction techniques, and integrating technologies that make buildings more energy-efficient.
Ritesh Appadoo: We’re also working towards coastal safeguarding and regeneration. The future of our business includes supporting resilience in coastal areas, which is crucial for Mauritius.
3. What core services and areas of expertise distinguish Ramasawmy & Ramasawmy within the Mauritian market? What sets you apart from other construction companies?
Pazani Moothoo Curpen: Our core market is high-end residential villas. We also handle commercial buildings, clinics, apartments, and retail spaces. But our reputation is strongest in premium villa construction within smart cities.
Colen Ramasawmy: What truly sets us apart is our uncompromising quality. As a result, we are rarely the lowest bidder, but we are almost always called back given the service, management and quality of works. Clients and consultants want to negotiate with us because they trust the outcome. We understand every aspect of high-end construction, and clients with demanding expectations, such as those buying villas worth 250 million rupees, know we will deliver.
Most of our clients are repeaters. Leading architects, G+F Architects, Macbeth Architects, Lampotang, Architect Studio, Berengere Cordieu, Valentin Lagesse etc, prefer working with us. That speaks volumes about our quality and reliability.
Ritesh Appadoo: Beyond quality, our after-sales service is exceptional. In Mauritius, after-service is not common, but we stay with our clients for 10, 15, even 20 years. Our projects speak for themselves.
4. Construction quality and safety standards are essential for long-term resilience. How do you ensure high workmanship, regulatory compliance, and safe operations across your project sites?
Pazani Moothoo Curpen: Supervision is key. Without proper supervision, you cannot deliver quality. We have established strict multi-step protocols before any trade begins: inspections, quality checks, and approval processes. Every site follows standardized procedures to ensure consistency.
Ritesh Appadoo: We also have robust health and safety reporting structures. Looking ahead, we are implementing AI-driven management tools. We are the only company in Mauritius using Procore, one of the world’s leading project management platforms. This gives real-time visibility on costing, safety, and operational progress across all sites.
5. How is your company integrating innovation, modern construction techniques, and digital tools to improve efficiency and outcomes?
Pazani Moothoo Curpen: From design to delivery, we aim to be leaner, greener, scalable, and aligned with Mauritius’s CO₂ reduction targets. We are exploring new materials, such as coconut-fiber partitioning, stronger, greener, and more sustainable.
Procore helps us leverage AI for better decision-making and faster workflows. We are also investing in modular and monolithic construction to accelerate delivery.
Ritesh Appadoo: We use eco-blocks for natural insulation, reflective paints that reduce heat absorption, and advanced waterproofing materials. Prefabrication is another direction, we intend to produce more elements locally to reduce waste and emissions.
6. Sustainability is increasingly important in construction. What steps are you taking to integrate greener practices and reduce environmental impact?
Pazani Moothoo Curpen: We place strong emphasis on waste reduction. All sites follow strict recycling procedures with multiple waste-sorting streams. We use reusable materials, such as plastic formwork instead of plywood, which can be reused 50 to 60 times.
We also prioritize eco-materials such as insulated blocks, reflective roofing, and bio-renewable paints. Sustainability is embedded in both design and methodology.
7. Skilled labor availability is a challenge worldwide. How do you invest in local talent and capacity building?
Ritesh Appadoo: We collaborate with local universities and offer internships to students. We create a positive environment where young professionals can grow and develop.
While we rely partly on imported labor, we are moving toward increased automation to reduce dependency. We identify high-potential individuals, invest in training, and encourage knowledge transfer across generations.
8. The UAE and wider Gulf region are major global investors in construction and real estate. What partnerships or opportunities do you see for collaboration with UAE developers or investors?
Colen Ramasawmy: I know Dubai well; I was there recently. Clients in the UAE value quality above price, and that aligns perfectly with us. If investors want top-notch quality in Mauritius or the Indian Ocean, we can deliver it. Our portfolio proves that once clients work with us, they stay with us.
Pazani Moothoo Curpen: We are committed to green buildings, LEED, EDGE, sustainable materials, and optimized design. Investors today demand sustainability, and we are already aligned with that direction.
Ritesh Appadoo: Beyond business, partnership is about knowledge exchange. The UAE leads in smart cities and futuristic construction. Mauritius, on the other hand, has deep expertise in coastal environments, humidity, salt air, and resilience against corrosion. Together, we can innovate for other Indian Ocean markets and even East Africa.
9. Finally, what message would you like to share with Khaleej Times readers about your long-term commitment to quality, trust, and Mauritius’ development?
Colen Ramasawmy: Commitment and integrity is in our DNA. From the day we sign a contract, we are fully invested, no going back and/or compromise. For nearly 30 years, our clients have trusted us because we deliver quality, on time, with integrity. Our mission is to continue supporting Mauritius as it develops into a modern, resilient economy. Our word is our bond and sacred, and our work speaks for itself.
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