Le Matinal Media had the privilege of engaging H.E. Ms Charlotte PIERRE, the British High Commissioner in Mauritius, in an exclusive interview. In our virtual tête-à-tête, the British High Commissioner spoke about her Mauritian values and origins, her career as a diplomat, diplomatic relations between UK and Mauritius, new trade and economic developments and projects in pipeline. She also spoke on Covid 19 restrictions and preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2022.
Le Matinal Media: How does it feel to be the first woman of Mauritian origin to occupy the post of British High Commissioner in Mauritius?
It is a privilege to represent the UK in a country I know, love and respect. I am British and proud to represent my country, but have had a strong set of Mauritian values instilled in me by my parents. Having said that, I like to think that my abilities and experience matter more than my gender or who my parents were!
Le Matinal Media: Having Mauritian origins, how did you feel when you came to know that you are going to be posted in Mauritius? How are you adapting yourself to the Mauritian culture?
I was thrilled. Good diplomacy is about taking the time to understand a country, its history and its people. I had a head start for this posting, but I am not taking things for granted. I have previously visited as a tourist, which is only one side of this beautiful country. I have spent my first six months listening and learning through travelling round the island and meeting lots of different people. I am adapting well, although I don’t think I will ever adapt to the amount of rain in Floreal. It feels worse than London sometimes! I am particularly thrilled to be able to pop out and pick up a roti, dholl puri, la daube etc. This could be controversial, but I have yet to find a great Mauritian restaurant in London, so I am currently in food heaven!
Le Matinal Media: Since when have you joined the core diplomatic of Great Britain? Tell us more about your career path as a diplomat.
I joined the Foreign Office (as it was) in 2000. Since then, I worked in different roles for both the Foreign Office and the UK Department for International Development, which have now merged. My career, like many of my generation, was massively influenced by 9/11. I have gone for roles and overseas postings on countries that are high political priorities. I am married to a diplomat and took a career break mid-career to follow him on a posting and be the primary carer for our then young family. This kind of flexible career path is the future and I am proud and fortunate that the UK government gives these sorts of 21st century opportunities.
Le Matinal Media: You are succeeding Mr. Keith Allan, are you going to continue the work your predecessor started? Or are you coming up with new projects? Could you please mention a few of them?
My predecessor, Keith Allan, did an amazing work during his time in Mauritius, in the face of huge economic and social challenges brought about by Covid-19. He laid strong foundations with our Mauritian partners on important issues such as climate, Covid-19 recovery and trade. He contributed to making COP26 a meaningful moment for Mauritius and the region.
I will build on his excellent work, but also work to ensure the partnership deepens and Mauritius benefits and accesses all the UK has to offer. As our new Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, set out in her speech at Chatham House in December 2021, the world is moving fast, and ideas are moving even faster. This revolution is why we enjoy incredible freedom, powered by free enterprise and technology. UK businesses are driving the Covid recovery; our scientists are saving the world through their miracle vaccines. The age of ideas, influence and inspiration is here. And, now more than ever, Britain is determined to work with our friends to form a network of liberty that spans the world.
Trade will be a focus for the coming year and I look forward to make an exciting announcement on that in March. More very, very soon! In addition, we will offer Mauritius first class expertise and advice on sustainable waste management and will support its work towards achieving its net zero objectives, including innovative electric vehicle technology. Our technical excellence is also offered in the field of Cyber security, where the UK is a world leader in protecting people and critical national infrastructure from Cyber harms as well as powering our economies.
We provided tangible support to help Mauritius deliver the Financial Action Task Force recommendations leading to its exit from the “grey list” in October 2021 and the UK de-listing a month later. We will help Mauritius build on that success, continuing our proven partnership on anti-money laundering and countering terrorism finance, which will be critical to Mauritius’ status as a regional financial hub. This work protects our people, our economies and our open and free societies. Mauritius and the UK are working closely together to ensure that as global financial centres we do all we can to ensure that dirty money is not channelled through our countries.
2022 is a big year for the UK as a whole. We have the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the recently launched British International Investment (formerly CDC), “Unboxed: Creativity in the UK” (a £120m festival spread across the whole country), the ‘Safe to Be Me’ Global Equality Conference on LGBT+ rights and the Global Freedom of Religion and Belief Summit 2022.
Le Matinal Media: Concerning the Mauritius-British relationship, the two countries have always maintained very good relations in the field of trade and investment. How are things going on? What are the possibilities for partnerships between Great Britain and Mauritius in the field of financial services?
The UK and Mauritius enjoy a strong commercial relationship and shared interests in trade and investment. In fact, Mauritius is the UK’s fifth biggest trade partner in Africa, bigger than Ghana, Kenya or Ethiopia, while the UK is Mauritius’ second biggest export market, after South Africa.
As part of the ESA group of countries, Mauritius signed the post-EU Exit trade continuity agreement on 31 January 2021. £770m of British International Investment development finance goes through holding companies or funds based in Mauritius to Africa more widely (also benefitting Mauritius, e.g. supporting 50k+ jobs).
As I said, we are planning to announce something that will take our trade relationship to a new level in March, so look out for that. A big part of our current and future offer is focused on financial services. We remain committed to support Mauritius achieve its ongoing ambition of being a regional financial hub. Given the dominance of the City of London in global financial markets, this support is in both our interests. As global financial centres, the UK and Mauritius have strong economic and security interests in maintaining an open, transparent and secure global financial system.
Le Matinal Media: How do you qualify the relation between Great Britain and Mauritius?
To say the UK and Mauritius share a deep partnership based on a long history sounds like a cliché. But it is not – it is a fact. Successive British High Commissioners have worked hard with their government partners to deliver in both countries’ interests. It has not always been smooth, and yes, there are issues upon which we disagree. But, there is so much more we share. We share an ambition to tackle the global challenges that affect our world head on, such as democracy and good governance. We share values. We share a Supreme Court. We share a firm belief in the Commonwealth. We share a passion to educate our children. And we share a love of all things related to Premiership football! My objective, given personally to me by Her Majesty The Queen and the Foreign Secretary, is to focus resolutely on those areas that bind us close together.
Le Matinal Media: Coming to the Covid-19 situation; Countries like France and Germany have put restrictions concerning people traveling to and from Mauritius due to the situation present in the country. Is there any possibility that Great Britain also applies such restrictions towards Mauritius?
We cannot predict what will happen in response to COVID. We do not currently have any countries on a red list. However, restrictions may be re-imposed should there be a need to do so, to protect public health. This is why our GOV.UK platform remains an important space where everyone including British visitors can access updated information 24/7 on travelling to Mauritius and on any questions in general.
We would encourage everyone to keep an eye out for updates as changes can happen rapidly.
We are also aware that the tourism industry has been severely affected by COVID-19 and we recognise all the work that went into the careful reopening of Mauritian borders. We at the High Commission will continue to work with local authorities and ensure a quality consular service to British Nationals who visit the island.
Le Matinal Media: Next year, Great Britain will be hosting the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. How are the preparations going on?
We are very pleased with how preparations are going for the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. From great progress on two main construction projects to exciting plans for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the stage is set for an unforgettable summer of sport and culture, showcasing the best of the West Midlands to the UK and the world. There has been a fantastic response to Birmingham 2022’s volunteering and ticketing campaigns, with over 41,000 people applying for 13,000 volunteer roles and more than one million tickets purchased. Meanwhile overseas, the Queen’s Baton Relay continues its 72-leg journey across the Commonwealth having visited over 20 nations to date, including a hugely successful tour of Mauritius.
Le Matinal Media: What are the sanitary measures being put in place since athletes from all the commonwealth countries will be participating in the games?
With seven months to go until the upcoming Commonwealth Games, the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee are working closely with our leading public health experts and national and local authorities to monitor the situation with Covid-19 at home and across the world. The UK has successfully hosted major international events, from the Euros to COP26 and I know I speak on behalf of all partners in saying we look forward to a safe, secure and spectacular Games that the country and the Commonwealth can be proud of.
Le Matinal Media: Will supporters be allowed to watch the games in the stadiums?
We are confident we will be able to have full crowds in each of our venues at Birmingham 2022. With over one million tickets already sold, we look forward to welcoming spectators to the upcoming Games to witness unmissable sporting moments this summer.
