India-Mauritius MoU Boosts Trade: 16 Sectors, 2 Countries, 1 Goal

The Indian Business Council Mauritius (IBC) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 28 at the Indian High Commission in Ebène. The deal aims to boost economic and trade relations between Mauritius and India.

Currently, FICCI is leading a trade mission to Mauritius, involving 16 industry representatives from sectors like health, biotechnology, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and construction.

The mission’s goal is to explore opportunities for trade, investment, and collaboration with local entrepreneurs, and to deepen bilateral economic ties.

The MoU is a significant step in strengthening economic links between the two countries. According to IBC President Layasankar Seshadri, the agreement is expected to improve trade prospects, streamline business operations, open new markets, and promote innovation.

He added that it will also help increase cross-border investments, create jobs, and diversify the economy.

Finance Minister Jyoti Jeetun highlighted the main challenges faced by businesses amid geopolitical uncertainties and rising tariffs. She described India as one of Mauritius’s largest markets, noting many untapped commercial opportunities.

Minister Jeetun also emphasized Mauritius’s strategic position as a member of the African Union and SADC, which makes it well-placed to foster shared growth between Africa and Asia.

Indian High Commissioner Anurag Shrivastav said the MoU represents a collaboration leveraging the strengths of both partners to strengthen economic ties through business development.

He praised IBC’s potential to make Mauritius a leading business hub and a gateway for African companies.

FICCI’s delegation leader Rajiv Wahi called Mauritius one of Africa’s most developed economies, citing its strong financial ecosystem and favorable trade agreements across regional markets.

He also invited IBC Mauritius and SADC partners to attend FICCI LEADS 2025, scheduled for September 10-11 in New Delhi.

Strong Economic Partnership with Growth Potential

Over the past five years, India has been one of Mauritius’s key trading partners. In 2024, India accounted for 11% of Mauritius’s total imports.

The value of Indian exports to Mauritius has fluctuated over recent years, reaching USD 776 million in 2019, dropping to USD 405 million in 2020, then rising to USD 808 million in 2021.

It decreased again to USD 632 million in 2022, slightly increased to USD 646 million in 2023, and reached USD 766 million in 2024.

Mauritius mainly imports pharmaceuticals, cotton, grains, automobiles, and mineral fuels from India.

India is also a major supplier of raw materials for Mauritius’s local industries, especially raw threads and fabrics used in textiles and apparel.

Mauritius’s main exports to India include iron and steel (47%), medical and surgical instruments (32%), aluminum and related products (10%), wood and wood products (2%), and recovered paper (waste and scraps) (2%).

The Mauritius-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) has played a key role in strengthening trade relations.

Under this agreement, Mauritius enjoys preferential access to the Indian market for 310 products.

Conversely, Mauritius has preferential access to India for 615 products, including frozen fish, specialty sugar, biscuits, fresh fruits, fruit juices, mineral water, alcoholic beverages, soaps, bags, medical and surgical equipment, and clothing.

Source: l’Express