Congratulations from the Australian Trade & Investment Commission (Austrade) on the setting up of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius – exactly 60 years after the first Australian Trade Correspondent was appointed here, in early 1958!
Australian business interest in the sub-Saharan African region is particularly strong in key sectors like mining, agro-industry, energy, construction, real estate, tourism and hospitality. Mauritius is an active economic player on the regional scene, showing great potential to help enhance Australian engagement in the region.
With the increasing role of technology for growth in the services sector in sub-Saharan Africa, Australia is making inroads with innovative services and products in many of the sectors referred to. Austrade is keen to assist with consolidating and growing linkages that would expand Australia’s business footprint in the region. We are pleased to support the advent of AustCham Mauritius, as an additional interest group to enhance this relationship.
2018 is a year of significance as Mauritius commemorates the golden jubilee celebration of its independence and has also been an important one for the Australia-Mauritius relationship. The inaugural Australia-Mauritius Research & Innovation Forum held at the beginning of the year, and the launch of Curtin University’s 4th international campus in Mauritius on 3 May 2018, are but some examples of the many milestones we have experienced recently.
Austrade’s focus areas for building up growing partnerships between Australia and Mauritius are in synergistic fields with a strong focus on sustainable development. Because of the important role that Mauritius has carved for itself not only in the Indian Ocean but also the wider sub-Saharan African region, not forgetting access to Asia where Australia has very strong linkages, cultivating such important business relationships are likely to add significant value to all parties involved.
Austrade is happy to work with AustCham to assist with any business questions or issues you may have and keep members updated on opportunities for doing business with Australian companies. We support AustCham’s contribution as a valuable platform to facilitate exchanges amongst Australian and Mauritius businesses and promote trade and investment opportunities in the region.
Kym Fullgrabe
Senior Trade Commissioner – Johannesburg, South Africa