Business Trip to Paradise Island—Mauritius By S.B. Hassan

His Excellency Mr. Rajkeswur Purryag, GCSK, GOSK, President of Mauritius meeting the members of Pakistan Delegation at the President House

Organized recently in great hurry and haste, even then designed and formed with full perfection, the delegation from Pakistan visited Mauritius—the freest and most business-friendly country in Africa, popularly called “The Jewel of Africa”.

A group photogargh of Pakistan Delegation to Mauritius

The initiative was taken by the Honorary Consul of Mauritius in Sindh Mr. Sohail Yasin Suleman who enjoys the reputation of an executive having initiative, imagination, inexhaustible energy added by resources to manage any project from start to finish. This truly applies to the mammoth task of taking a Pakistani delegation of around 20 eminent persons comprising businessmen, diverse professionals and media personalities (electronic and print).  The High Commissioner of Pakistan, H.E Major General (Retd.) Ulfat Hussain extended full cooperation and support to make the visit of the Pakistan Delegation successful and productively meaningful.

The program included courtesy calls on and meetings with His Excellency Mr. Rajkeswur Purryag, GCSK, GOSK, President of the Republic of Mauritius; Honorary Rashid Beebeejaun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Public Utilities and Honorary Cader Sayed Hossen, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection. Other highlights of the visit of the delegation included visit to Board of Investment of Mauritius, Mauritius Port Authority and Mauritius Free Port Authority, Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, Air Mauritius, The Islamic Cultural Centre of Mauritius and Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Economic Zone:

With one of the largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the world comprising 1.9 million sq. km. of ocean and another co-managed 396,000 sq. km. Mauritius has an immense potential for the development of its ocean economy. This expense represent more than one thousand and one hundred times the land mass of Mauritius, larger than the combined land area of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Through its dual membership in two economic blocs of SADC and COMESA, Mauritius confirms its identity and role as a full-fledged partner in the sustainable development and the growth of sub-Saharan Africa. Recognized as a safe and well-regulated international jurisdiction, Mauritius now serves as a platform for investing, providing technical expertise and talents to boost growth of the continent. Its stability vouchsafes Africa investors’ confidence.

Board of Investment is the national investment promotion agency of the Government of Mauritius with the mandate to promote and facilitate investment in the country. It is the first point of contact to investors exploring business opportunities in Mauritius and the region. BOI also assists investors in the growth, nurturing and diversification of their business.

With the view to facilitating the implementation of investment projects and, more importantly, to continuously improve the investment and business climate, BOI works in close collaboration with Government bodies, institutions and private sector companies.

Reaction of businessmen from Pakistan:

Businessmen from Pakistan significantly reacted positively to avail the opportunities of developing trade and investment activities between the two countries.   On their recommendation Air Mauritius will soon start its flight to Pakistan.

The Islamic Center of Mauritius

A historic market in Mauritius named after Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the father of the nation of Pakistan.

A historic street in Mauritius named after Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the father of the nation of Pakistan.