UAE and Mauritius Eye Rs 21 Billion Trade Boost as Economic Ties Deepen

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has moved to significantly bolster its economic alliance with Mauritius, targeting a surge in bilateral non-oil trade to approximately MUR 21.3 billion ($500 million) within the next five years.

The ambitious target follows high-level talks held at the SCCI headquarters, where Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, hosted a Mauritian delegation led by Shakeel Ahmed Yousuf Abdul Razack Mohamed, the Minister of Housing and Lands.

The meeting focused on leveraging the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has been in force since 1 April 2025.

Trade Frontiers and Tariffs

The CEPA framework has already begun reshaping the trade landscape between the two nations by:

• Eliminating tariffs on 99 percent of Mauritian exports.
• Removing duties on over 97 percent of UAE exports.
• Driving an 82.5 percent increase in bilateral trade during the first four months of 2024.

Chairman Al Owais noted that the agreement provides a “robust legal and trade framework” for sustained growth, further supported by a Memorandum of Understanding with the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius to facilitate business exchanges.

Strategic Gateways

Minister Mohamed positioned Mauritius as a “strategic gateway” for UAE firms looking to expand into Sub-Saharan Africa.

The discussions highlighted how Sharjah-based companies could utilise Mauritian freeport facilities as hubs for storage, distribution, and re-export.

In return, the Mauritian delegation attended the ACRES 2026 real estate exhibition at Expo Centre Sharjah as Guests of Honour.

The visit allowed officials to explore partnerships in urban development, manufacturing, and logistics—sectors identified as high-priority under the current investment roadmap.

High-Level Cooperation

The meeting saw participation from major industry players, including representatives from Air Arabia and Gulftainer, underscoring a shared commitment to enhancing aviation and supply chain logistics.

Both parties urged investors to capitalise on existing fiscal incentives and the 2015 Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement to drive “sustainable growth and economic prosperity,” cementing Sharjah’s status as a global trade hub and Mauritius’s role as a vital link to African markets.

Source: Big News Network