Role of International Trade Division
International trade is one of the key drivers of economic growth for Mauritius. Mauritius has a liberal economic and trade policy, with a trade-to-GDP ratio of 95%. In this context, the elimination of barriers to trade at global, regional and bilateral levels remains a key objective to be achieved as a means to improving our export competitiveness and to expanding sourcing options.
Mauritius is currently engaged in trade negotiations at different levels and has concluded several Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agreement with India, FTA with China, Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Indonesia, Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, negotiations on trade in services with the Common Market for Southern and Eastern (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the negotiations at the level of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
Our Mission
· to create a conducive environment for trade and investment, by enhancing market access for goods and services, through the removal of non-trade barriers and facilitating trade.
· to formulate Trade Policies and to ascertain that Mauritius’ concerns are adequately reflected in Multilateral, Regional and Bilateral Trading Arrangements as well as in global trade rules;
· to elaborate, in consultation with other Ministries, the private sector and academia, amongst others, the negotiating positions of Mauritius on trade;
· to continuously monitor developments taking place in trade at the Multilateral and Regional levels;
· to ensure that the trade obligations undertaken by Mauritius are taken into account in the formulation of our laws, regulations and administrative procedures;
· to ensure that Mauritius fulfills its mandatory transparency obligations vis a vis the WTO through the notification process
· to defend the interests of Mauritius in trade disputes and to keep a watching brief on the proceedings of the WTO dispute settlement body;
· to formulate and review policies on trade and ensure enforcement of relevant legislations in this field;
· to enhance the share of Mauritius in world trade.
Our Specific Objectives-
- ·To provide
coordinated support with a view to achieve Government objectives namely
protection and promotion of national interests through bilateral,
- regional and
multilateral relationships and a reorganised diplomatic network.
- ·Advocate regional and international support
of the Government of Mauritius on key initiatives like EPA and PTAs/FTAs with
main trading partners.
- ·Use membership
and participation in international and regional organisations to safeguard the
interests of Mauritius and ensure that the special needs of small
- economies are
taken into consideration.
- ·Provide and
disseminate information on trade opportunities in Mauritius.
- ·Accelerate
progress and advance proposals to foster economic integration within SADC and
COMESA.
- ·Greater
coordination and cooperation framework with the Indian Ocean Rim Association
(IORA) Member States for an effective framework agreement.
- ·Consolidate our
trade relations with our traditional partners and develop a new generation of
partnership with emerging economies.
- ·Increase trading
opportunities for Mauritian goods and services through successful multilateral
trading agreements including:
- --at the level of the WTO
- --pertaining to the different blocs/agreements, namely, the
COMESA, SADC, Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Interim Economic Partnership
Agreement with
- the European Union, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement
and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA);
- --By consolidating and improving access to existing
traditional markets such with the US under AGOA and TIFA;
- --By identifying new market opportunities by engaging in
bilateral trade agreements with interested countries, such as India, China and
Indonesia;
- --By ensuring that the specificities of Mauritius as a small
vulnerable island are fully taken on board.
- ·Fulfil mandatory
transparency obligations vis à vis the WTO. (To be in line with WTO rules and
commitments in view of sustaining greater efforts towards
- trade liberalization
to achieve economic growth and prosperity)
- ·Provide policy
space to the domestic industry in the face of increased competition, including
for through the application of trade remedies.
- ·In coordination
with all stakeholders concerned, agree on the appropriate administrative and
legal framework to promote protection of intellectual property and
- encourage
innovation.
- ·Undertake
periodic trade policy review for the country.
- Additional information is available on the Mauritius Trade Portal developed by this Ministry www.mauritiustrade.mu, which contain information on:
- ·Trade Agreements
- ·Import and export procedures (including regulations
applicable)
- ·Trade in services
- ·Market Intelligence
- ·Intellectual Property Rights
- ·Trade Remedies
- ·Trade Obstacles Alert Mechanism
