Mauritius mulls to activate PTA and sign FTA with Pakistan

Mauritius has huge scope for Pakistani products, especially textiles, cotton cosmetics, cereals, pharmaceutical and plastic, and these marvelous opportunities must be tapped also as Mauritius is a gateway to African countries.

High Commissioner of Mauritius Yusuf Elahee while talking to Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Mian Humayun Parvez during his visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber state that Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was signed in 2007 between the two countries but no efforts were made to enhance the bilateral trade relations.

The current bilateral trade volume between the two countries is around $56 million, it is need of the hour to activate PTA and Mauritius is mulling to sign Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan.

RCCI Senior Vice President Saqib Rafiq, Vice President Muhammad Aqil Obaid, members of the executive committee and renowned traders were also present on this occasion.

The high commissioner said that Mauritius wants to enhance trade relations with Pakistan and will cooperate with RCCI to hold ‘Made in Pakistan Expo’ in Mauritius to strengthen bilateral trade relations.

Business communities of both sides must interact with each other to boost trade volume between two countries.

He further added that Mauritius, with its strong textile sector, has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). They would like to share the knowledge and expertise with Pakistani business community.

Speaking on the occasion, Mian Huayun Parvez said that there is a huge scope for expansion in trade and the private sector has the responsibility to be a front-runner in creating new avenues of establishing trade and investments relations.

Sustainable efforts are needed to give boost to bilateral trade that is much below the respective potential of the two countries. Pakistani products are best in the world and have the potential to win respectable place in Mauritius market.

He informed the audience that the objective of the PTA was to pave the way for FTA, Pakistan under the agreement offers concessions to Mauritius on 130 items, whereas Mauritius gives concession on 102 items.

There is a need for frequent exchange of international exhibitions and delegations between both the countries, this would be a best source of strengthening the relation.

Communication connectivity is also one of the main hurdles in boosting the trade between the two countries as there is no direct air connectivity between the two countries and the flights are running through Dubai.