Republic of Mauritius- High-level meeting reinforces partnership ties between the EU and Mauritius

Several Ministers also participated in the high-level meeting namely: the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands, Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo; the Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun; Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun; the Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms, Mr Maneesh Gobin; the Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah; and, the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mr Dharmendar Sesungkur.

Discussions focused on topics of mutual interest, including: financial services, sugar, gender equality, climate change, Africa Strategy, SME, partnership Post-Cotonou Agreement, and the new configuration of linkages between Brussels and the ACP Group of countries.

In his statement, Minister Bodha recalled that the EU is a privileged development partner of Mauritius and the country has always been an example with regards to the implementation of different EU support programmes.  Mauritius, he pointed out, intends to play an even more decisive role in the new ties that are being created, on the one hand, between the EU and Mauritius, and, on the other hand, between the EU and the ACP Group of countries.

The Minister also articulated Mauritius’ vision of becoming a high-income economy through the adoption of a new economic strategy which is based on innovation as a vector of international competitiveness and new poles of growth such as the blue economy and the Africa Strategy.  ‘We want to come out of the medium-income trap.  We have already used up the competitive advantage of cheap labour and now we have to focus on our capacity to innovate to ensure our future development’, he emphasised.

For his part, EU Commissioner Mimica, remarked that the strategy is well aligned with the new approach favoured by the EU as a development partner.  The EU, he indicated, intends to further support the role of the private sector in Africa so as to ensure a more sustained development and reduce poverty on the continent.  In fact, Mauritius has an important role in this new configuration with a financial centre of international repute to mobilise and roll out financial resources towards African economies.

The financial centre of Mauritius is well regulated and equipped to attract international investors and the necessary measures are being taken by Government to enhance the level of governance and transparence within the Mauritian jurisdiction.  The EU Commissioner reassured that a constructive dialogue with Mauritius in terms of fiscal policy will be held.

During his official visit to Mauritius, the latter met the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, and various Members of the Government.  An EU Funding Support programme to the tune of €7.9 million to support the country’s priority to address unemployment and build an innovative Mauritius was also signed yesterday.

The €7.9 million programme aims at: improving the relevance of post-secondary and vocational training education in Mauritius to allow more young people from vulnerable groups to study; and enhancing applied research and innovation capacity by enabling collaboration between academia and industry.

It is recalled that EU-Mauritius cooperation under the 11^th European Development Fund (2014-2020) focuses on tertiary education, research and innovation. The overall budget amounts to €9.9 million, with the bulk of the support (€7.9 million) going to the EU Funding Support programme signed on 2 May 2019 and the remaining €2 million to technical cooperation.

This programme complements the EU’s comprehensive partnership with Mauritius in key areas such as maritime security, trade and investment, fisheries and the ocean economy, agriculture, climate change, cyber security, human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment. Altogether, the EU’s current support to Mauritius amounts to approximately €50 million.