The second meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Monitoring and Implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) was chaired by the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo, on Wednesday, at Medine Mews in Port-Louis.
The aim was to take stock of the status of implementation of FTAs in various sectors. It was also an opportunity for representatives of the public and private sectors to put forth their views and proposals.
In his opening remarks, Minister Ganoo recalled that in October 2021, Cabinet agreed to set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee under his chairmanship with a view to monitor the various FTAs signed by Mauritius.
The Minister underlined that last year Mauritius signed FTAs with Africa, China, the United Kingdom and India. The FTAs, he stressed, provide great opportunities for the country and there is a need to devise appropriate strategies to increase exports of goods and services and attract foreign investment.
With regard to trade agreements with China and India, the Minister observed that progress has been achieved and the agreements are highly beneficial to Mauritius. The country needs to work collaboratively with China and India to unleash further potentials, he added.
He also indicated that a Technical Coordination Committee has been set up to devise an action plan with the collaboration of all stakeholders.
Discussions during the Inter-Ministerial Committee focused on: Technical Coordination Committee for trade and investment promotion; leveraging on existing trade agreements with traditional partners; considering new market access to be tapped under recently negotiated trade agreements; better connectivity with key markets; restructuring the manufacturing sector; attracting investment; promoting entrepreneurship; and developing synergies between Mauritian Missions/Embassies and public-private sector institutions.
