Mauritius President Highlights CEPA with UAE, Positioning Mauritius as Africa’s Gateway for the Middle East: WAM Interview.

 


DUBAI, February 15, 2024 (WAM) — President Prithvirajsing Roopun of Mauritius expressed confidence that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE will play a crucial role in establishing Mauritius as a gateway to Africa from the Middle East. During an exclusive interview with WAM at the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai, President Roopun underscored the unanimous belief among top UAE officials that the CEPA will significantly enhance bilateral relations.

CEPA: Facilitating Access to Africa from the Middle East
President Roopun emphasized that the benefits of the CEPA go beyond the UAE and Mauritius, as it will open up new opportunities for the entire African continent. By leveraging the agreement's provisions, Mauritius aims to solidify its position as a strategic link between Africa and the Middle East, resulting in a mutually advantageous outcome for all stakeholders.

Building on a Firm Foundation
Concluded in December, the CEPA represents a historic milestone as the first agreement of its kind between the UAE and an African nation. Building on almost five decades of strong bilateral ties, including the establishment of the Mauritius Economic Development Board's Dubai office, the CEPA covers various aspects such as trade in goods and services, investment facilitation, and more.

Boosting Bilateral Trade Growth
Once implemented, it is expected to spur robust growth in non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and Mauritius. As of H1 2023, the bilateral trade volume was recorded at US$63.1 million, with significant opportunities identified in sectors such as chemicals, metals, and petroleum products.

President Roopun highlighted the vast potential for further collaboration in governance, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information and Communications Technology (ICT), biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, and the blue economy. He expressed enthusiasm for the latest trends in AI learned from global experts at the WGS, emphasizing its transformative impact across various sectors, particularly in governance, education, and healthcare.

Acknowledging the UAE’s Emerging Global Leadership
Recognizing the UAE’s role as an emerging global leader, President Roopun commended the country’s support for the voice of the Global South, with particular attention to small island nations like Mauritius. Stressing the urgent need for collective action on the global challenge of climate change, he expressed gratitude for the UAE’s support in addressing this critical issue. President Roopun also praised the success of COP28, the UN Climate Conference held in Dubai, as a significant step towards finding concrete solutions to combat climate change.

UAE’s Support for the Global South
President Roopun, holding a master’s degree in international business law (LLM) from the University of Central Lancashire, has been actively involved in legal education and served as a member of the board of examiners of the Council of Legal Education since 1989. He has also lectured at the Faculty of Law of the University of Mauritius for over fifteen years.

In conclusion, the CEPA between Mauritius and the UAE is set to strengthen economic ties, create new avenues for collaboration, and position Mauritius as a key gateway connecting Africa with the Middle East. The agreement reflects the shared commitment of both nations to foster bilateral growth, explore emerging technologies, and address global challenges such as climate change.

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