PM wants to develop a free trade area between the Republic of Congo and Mauritius

Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam wants to develop a free trade area between the Republic of Congo and Mauritius to strengthen South-South cooperation.

The PM was speaking at a banquet organised in honour of the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou -N’guesso. This was held at the Swami Vivekananda Conference Centre, Pailles, on Saturday.

According to the PM, this partnership will strengthen the economic activities between the two countries, while at the same time improve social integration.

“Mauritius and Congo are currently suffering from the effects of the global financial crisis. We must explore other avenues of cooperation to achieve the ambitions that we have for our two countries,” he said.

The PM added, “We want to enhance the competitiveness of our companies to face the many challenges that lie ahead. We advocate inclusive growth for sustainable development. We want to make our two countries strategic crossroads, one for southern Africa and the other for central Africa,’’ he said, adding that Mauritius has everything to become the star of the Indian Ocean.

Ramgoolam also spoke on the proposed triangular cooperation between Singapore, Mauritius and Congo, which he believes will be an ideal platform for economic diversification.