Appleby Hunter Bailhache, the law firm that prides itself on its international presence, is about to get a little more global.

The Bermuda-based firm is planning to open an office in the Republic of Mauritius, they announced yesterday.

The new office will be located in the capital city of Port Louis and will begin operations next month.

The expansion will enable Appleby to further extend its legal services to clients, and will provide clients with greater access to the fast-growing emerging markets in Africa, Asia and India, the firm said in a statement.

The new office, which will operate under the name of Appleby (Mauritius International) Ltd, will focus on investment into emerging African and Asian markets.

Institutional clients in North America, Europe and Asia have indicated that they are looking for the resources of a global offshore services firm, to create efficient investment structures through a well-placed, independent sovereign country, the statement said.

The office will open with two partners - Mauritian Gilbert Noel and Malcolm Moller, who is transferring from the firm's Bermuda office to oversee the new operation.

The island of Mauritius, with a population of 1.2 million, offers a highly educated workforce and the government is successfully encouraging the introduction of external financial institutions to stimulate investment and diversify the economy, the firm noted.

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