Mauritius team to discuss preferential trade in Pakistan

A high level delegation from Mauritius is in Pakistan on a three days official visit to further expand the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) signed between the two countries in 2007, a statement said.

The delegation headed by Foreign Secretary of Mauritius A P Neewoor, includes Director Trade Policy Asad A. Bhuglah, representatives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Business Councils of Mauritius.The delegation will call on the Federal Minister of Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim and negotiate expansion of the PTA. The agreement is fully operational since October 2010.

Mauritius is emerging as a financial and trade hub for Africa, where it is signatory to numerous agreements and has tremendous potential for enhancing Pakistan trade to the region, the statement said. The meeting will also look into enhancing tourism from Pakistan to Mauritius and discuss direct air flights between the two counties.

Recently representatives of rice exporters, bourses, cement industry, food processors, and fashion designers have visited Mauritius to display their products and have firsthand business contacts. Pakistan High Commission has opened a new Commercial Section at Mauritius to assist business community of the two sides to expand areas of cooperation.