Mauritius has been a founding member of the Preferential Trade Area which existed before COMESA, since its inception in 1981. It aims to transform the island into an open and globally competitive economy and to fully integrate it into the world trade system through its trade policies. In a candid conversation with Diplomatist, H. E. J. Goburdhun, High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius to India, discussed COMESA ' s economic history and background and the important role played by Mauritius.
As one of the key members of COMESA, Mauritius has played an important role in in this bloc over two decades of its journey. What is your vision for the next decade?
Mauritius is fully aware of the immense benefits of regional integration as part of its overall development strategy and on which it has prioritised / refocused in line with the Africa Strategy. Since 1980, it has joined regional organisations and has made appreciable in-roads without waiting for the African Continent to be“ the new place to be”. In 1981, Mauritius became a member of the Preferential Trade Area( PTA), which graduated into COMESA in 1994.
For the next decade, the vision of Mauritius is to steer its economy more towards the COMESA region comprising 19 Member States, cutting across various parts of Africa. Such a huge economic space will require Mauritius to redouble its efforts so as to increase prosperity. Regional integration, being multi-dimensional, requires many stakeholders, particularly the business operators, to go beyond frontiers. Mauritius will give the necessary accompanying push to such operators. In lieu of the same, Mauritius has already signed the declaration launching the Tripartite Free Trade Area( TFTA), an initiative which aims inter-alia at establishing a pan-regional Free Trade Area encompassing the 26 memberstates of the three regional economic communities, namely
COMESA, SADC and EAC. Mauritius will also support the Continental Free Trade Area( CFTA) as agreed at the AU Summit in 2012. The Tripartite and continental FTA will, inevitably, boost inward investment in the country and attract more Foreign Direct Investment.
Mauritius can be ascribed as a strategic partner to Africa markets; it has a peaceful and stable government and has huge potential for maritime power, blue economy, the fishing industry and port-led development. What do you think about these strengths and opportunities?
Mauritius, strategically located in the Indian Ocean and surrounded by miles of sea, offers tremendous opportunities for Asian countries to access the African Continent. It can also serve as an‘ infrastructural’ bridge.
Infrastructural connectivity is another driver for regional cooperation. The development of maritime infrastructure to match global standards, and increase the network of air links will serve to bring us closer to our regional partner countries. The aim of the Government is to transform Port Louis from a destination port to a regional hub through massive investments in port infrastructure. In the same vein, discussions are on-going for the setting up of a regional shipping line, to expand regional trade and to make our port a regional hub in the region.
38 • COMESA • 2018