Iran, Mauritius Sign MoU on Bilateral Cooperation
Iran, Mauritius Sign MoU on Bilateral Cooperation
During the first Iran-Mauritius Trade Forum at Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture (ICCIMA), Iran and Mauritius signed a memorandum of understanding and both sides called for resolving the problems of transportation and removing banking hurdles.

TEHRAN (Iran News) –During the first Iran-Mauritius Trade Forum at Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture (ICCIMA), Iran and Mauritius signed a memorandum of understanding and both sides called for resolving the problems of transportation and removing banking hurdles.

A trade delegation from Mauritius, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Cooperation Mr. Jaya Krishna, visited Tehran to attend the first joint trade forum to explore ways of boosting economic cooperation.

Addressing the event, Head of ICCIMA Mr. Gholam-Hossein Shafei emphasized the strategy of the chamber and Iran’s government for broadening economic relations with African states and noted that Iran is determined to pave the ground for the road for access to the 1.2-billion-dollar market Africa for Iranian traders.

He said Mauritius is one of the 23 members of Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARC) and it enjoys having one of the most crucial geopolitical positions of IORARC. He added that this can lead to broadening cooperation of Iran with Mauritius and other members of IORARC. Shafei noted that the strategy and distinguished geopolitical position of Iran in the West Asia for access to a 400-million people market of the region will definitely provide a good opportunity for traders and companies of Mauritius in trade with Iran.

He then pointed to potentials of Mauritius as the gateway to Africa, adding that banking services, insurance and marine transportation are of the major potentials for cooperation between the two states. He added that Mauritius purchases over one billion dollars of fuel and oil products annually and it can be another ground for cooperation between the two countries.

Shafei pointed to the $7,000 per capita GDP of Mauritius and expressed hope that Iran can take advantage of capacities of Mauritius for broadening tourism, providing consumer goods, transportation, bank and insurance. He reiterated that despite existing capacities, the trade volume of both countries is very low and disappointing, emphasized that both states should take new steps for broadening economic cooperation through removing hurdles.

He said that lack of acquaintance to the trade capacities as well as transportation problem and lack of shipping line especially Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line to Mauritius, lack of monetary ties and joint economic commissions are the major hurdles in way of broadening trade between the two states and reiterated this problem should be solved through cooperation of governments and support of private sectors.

Shafei expressed hope that the ties between the two countries in all grounds would improve in the future.

Then Mauritius official Krishna, for his part, expressed interest of his country for broadening economic ties with Iran, adding that Mauritius is a good destination for investment for countries and currently the country has trade partners from countries like the U.S., Europe, China and India and it is interested in having more cooperation with Iran. He added that any producer can sell and export its products with the label of Made in Mauritius even to the U.S., adding that fortunately, Mauritius government revoked visa issuance for Iran about two months ago because the country is keen to expand cooperation especially in the field of tourism and agriculture.

Krishna further said that currently 1500 products are produced in Mauritius and exported to 140 countries, emphasizing that his country is keen to enter Iran. He added that products like textile and jewelry as well as medical equipment will be interesting for Iranians while Mauritius needs to import gas and oil and this tie can be a win-win one.

Then Deputy Foreign Minister of Mauritius Mr. Dillum, for his part, pointed to signing of the MoU for cooperation between the chambers of commerce of both states, adding that this can be the first outcome of this meeting and a prelude to broadening cooperation.

He emphasized importance of direct flight between the two countries and announced that Mauritius is ready to launch direct flights between the two states, adding that both countries are good destinations for investment and Mauritius is ready for more cooperation.

He added that Mauritius Trade Promotion Council is to launch an office in Tehran for providing facilities for traders of both countries.