The India Mauritius Trade Conference 2024, organized by the Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO) in association with the India Africa Trade Council (IATC), took place in Port Louis, Mauritius, bringing together a diverse group of participants from the business community. The conference was held to strengthen economic ties and explore collaborative opportunities between India and Mauritius.

Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of IETO, welcomed His Excellency Keshwar Jankee, Ambassador of Mauritius to Russia, and Hon. Adv. P. Krishnadas, Honorary Trade Commissioner of the IATC for Mauritius. During his address, Dr. Iqbal reaffirmed the commitment to deepening the partnership between the two nations, emphasizing the importance of mutual support in fostering robust economic relations.

The conference, themed "Promoting Investment and Growth in Collaboration with Mauritius Business Houses", attracted around 70 participants from various sectors, including public, business, educational, and healthcare. Discussions focused on bilateral economic cooperation, with several proposals presented for joint implementation.

Ambassador Jankee, in his remarks, highlighted the historical context of the bilateral relationship between India and Mauritius, praising the positive developments in recent years. He underscored the value of ongoing mutual visits between the foreign ministers of both nations, which have significantly enhanced the bilateral relationship. Jankee emphasized the need to increase mutual recognition and trust between companies in Mauritius and India, urging participants to actively engage in exhibitions and conferences.

A significant highlight of the conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for educational collaboration between Global Education Outreach Mauritius and the Nehru Group of Institutions from Coimbatore, India. Represented by Mr. Jayasankar, Founder of Global Education Outreach Mauritius, and Dr. P. Krishnakumar, CEO & Secretary of the Nehru Group, the MOU aims to advance technology in education with a focus on Education 4.0. The agreement also outlines plans for establishing educational institutions in Mauritius, particularly in dairy farming and food processing.

Mauritius has shown substantial interest in deepening ties with India, recognizing the vast potential for bilateral trade across various sectors, including tourism, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and industrial development. The Indian delegation, led by IETO, met with Mauritius’ Minister of Education and Cooperatives to discuss further opportunities in the education sector.

Ms. Chetana Ilpate, Honorary Trade Commissioner of the IATC, highlighted the potential for Indian film productions in Mauritius, citing the country's scenic beauty and cost-effective manpower. She also pointed out the growing opportunities for Indian medical students in Mauritius due to increasing educational collaboration. Ilpate emphasized India's role in supporting Mauritius' national development and advocated for boosting Indian exports to balance trade gaps and increase revenue.

Dr. Asif Iqbal noted the growing awareness of Mauritius among Indians and the increased interest in visiting the country. He mentioned that previous IETO delegations had secured MOUs in fields such as agroforestry, tourism and hospitality, solar energy, and pharmaceuticals. India’s vast market presents significant opportunities for Mauritius in financial services, IT talent, skill development, affordable housing, agriculture, tourism, and entertainment.

Umaiz Ahmed, an Indian entrepreneur from Bangalore, spoke about the potential for expanding dry fruit businesses in Mauritius, reflecting on the country’s self-sufficiency and export capabilities. He noted that India’s rapidly growing industrial sector and large agricultural workforce offer ample opportunities for collaboration.

Adv. Krishnadas, Honorary Trade Commissioner for Mauritius at the IATC, expressed his commitment to advancing bilateral relations and announced plans for the next India-Mauritius conference in January 2025, which is expected to attract significant interest from Indian businesses.

The India Africa Trade Council will be hosting various delegation programs to foster collaboration between Indian and Mauritian companies. Additionally, delegates engaged in dialogues with leading banks in Mauritius to explore collaborative financial opportunities.

Wali Kashvi, Vice President of IETO, facilitated the delegation's protocols and pledged to uphold the regulatory standards set by both governments. The focus of these trade desks is to build strong relationships between the people of both nations, accelerating business exchanges.

The high level of trust and mutual understanding between India and Mauritius is reflected in their continued political engagement and collaborative efforts on developmental projects. The Comprehensive Economic and Commercial Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between the two countries, signed during EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to Mauritius on February 22, 2021, and effective from April 1, 2021, underscores their commitment to strengthening trade ties. Adv. Krishnadas reaffirmed his dedication to revitalizing trade mechanisms and working closely with Mauritius’ Trade Ministry and Chambers of Commerce to enhance bilateral cooperation.