MVIRDC WTC Mumbai has launched a virtual exhibition for India-Mauritius trade on its digital platform wetrade.org to enhance business opportunities for buyers and sellers of both countries. While addressing participants at the Inaugural Webinar on ‘Trade Opportunities between India & Mauritius’, organized by World Trade Center Mumbai, Economic Development Board, Mauritius and Mauritius Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Hon. Soomilduth Bholah, Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives, Govt. of Mauritius said, “It is my firm belief that setting up this online trade and exhibition platform will increase marketing opportunities for small and medium enterprises of both countries, thereby harnessing the benefits conferred by the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), which came into force in April 2021.”

Minister Bholah further remarked, “Mauritius has made significant progress in manufacture of high tech products such as medical devices, auto components, technical textiles, sophisticated jewellery etc. In the medical devices category, Mauritius is a major exporter of catheters to India. In the textile and apparel industry, it produces an array of high quality T-shirts, trousers etc. which are supplied to globally renowned brands. Mauritius is strategically located between Asia and Africa and our preferential access to SADC, COMESA and AfCTA constitutes a major advantage for Indian companies.”

In his remarks, Mr. Hemraj Ramnial, CSK, Chairman, Economic Development Board, Mauritius said, “Mauritius has made important development strides by diversifying into a broadbased economy. Participation in the virtual India-Mauritius exhibition organised by World Trade Center Mumbai will help Indian businesses access the African market, which constitutes 17 per cent of the global population. This platform will become a digital corridor to reap the untapped market potential of Africa.”

He further emphasised, “Mauritius has the potential to be the hub of African expansion strategy in industrial machinery, engineering goods, OEMs for aircraft parts, paper and printing products, and glass products, among others. Business enterprises from India and Mauritius can work together to forge a strong developmental partnership.”

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai said, “I hope WTC Mumbai will play a catalytic role in promoting economic relations between Mauritius and India. The current bilateral trade of USD 466 million does not reflect true potential and I am confident that through our coordinated efforts we can increase this volume to USD 1 billion in the next two years. The virtual bilateral exhibition between India and Mauritius, organised by WTC Mumbai will focus on sectors such as Animal Feeds, Financial Services, Food Processing & Alcoholic Beverages, Garments, Leather Products, Light Engineering, Medical Devices and Tourism.”

Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai proposed the Vote of Thanks, and pointed out that the virtual trade platform wetrade.org allows visitors to interact with buyers and sellers in more than 100 languages, simultaneously. Business entities in both the countries should take advantage of the same.

The programme was attended by members of trade and industry, and government officials including diplomatic missions.