Imparting a new impetus for trade & investment avenues between Mauritius & Côte d’Ivoire

In context of the official visit of a high-level business delegation comprising the Minister of Tourism as well as key representatives of the public administration, institutions and economic operators from Ivory Coast to Mauritius, the Embassy of Ivory Coast in Mauritius (with residence in Pretoria), the ‘Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d’Ivoire’ (CEPICI), and the ‘Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Côte d’Ivoire (CCI-CI)’ organized a Business Forum this morning, 27th October 2022 at the Caudan Arts Centre, Port-Louis.

The objective of the Business and networking event was to serve as a platform to broaden economic horizons between Mauritius and the Republic of Ivory Coast.

The event themed ‘Côte d’Ivoire – Ile Maurice: Tisser des partenariats novateurs pour une croissance partagée’ saw the participation of around 150 delegates comprising high-level officials from Côte d’Ivoire as well as representatives of the Mauritian public sector and the business community.

In his address, Mr. Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Ivory Coast, representing the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and the Diaspora, Mrs Kandia Kamissoko Camara, underscored that Mauritius has established itself as a broad-based, innovation and knowledge-based economy with diversified sectors namely the agro-industry, manufacturing-oriented industry, tourism, financial services amongst others.

He indicated that Mauritius is a vital and key destination in the economic sector and has commended the tremendous efforts of the Mauritian Government in its effective management of the country which has further positioned Mauritius as a peaceful destination which promotes bilateral relations.

Furthermore, he has highlighted that the Embassy of the Ivory Coast in Mauritius, in collaboration with several stakeholders including the MCCI and the Economic Development Board, have joined hands together to organize the “Les journées ivoiriennes à Maurice’’ in Mauritius with a view to further strengthen economic partnership between the Republic of Ivory Coast and Mauritius.

He concluded by inviting key operators of strategic economic sectors of our two countries to work together and take pertinent decisions which will translate into concrete actions for the benefit of both countries.

Delivering the opening address, His Excellency, Ambassador of the Republic of Ivory Coast to Mauritius, Mr. Sakaria Kone underlined that one of the missions assigned to diplomatic services is to find and explore new markets and business opportunities for products “made in Côte d’Ivoire” as well as accompanying investors in their quest for win-win partnerships. He added that Mauritius is a well-diversified and multicultural country offering a plethora of investment opportunities across a multitude of economic sectors. In view of the diverse opportunities in both countries, the Ivory Coast intends to establish a reinforced communication platform to further foster exchanges between the two countries.

In his address, Dr. Vlafahi Meite, General Director of Economic Diplomatic Relations of the Republic of Ivory Coast seized the opportunity to showcase key attributes of Ivory Coast’s economy.

He underlined that in a context of economic and financial globalization marked by fierce competition between countries to attract foreign investment, Ivory Coast has undertaken major reforms to improve its attractiveness and its competitiveness.

Dr. Meite emphasized that Ivory Coast offers a conducive business environment and through the modernization of the administration and the judicial system, the signing of non-double taxation and investment protection agreements as well as the repatriation of profits through the procedures put in place by the Central Bank. Dr. Vlafahi Meite also highlighted that Vision 2030 is to propel Ivory Coast to upper-middle-income country status. He further added that the growth rate of 6.5% was registered in 2021.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr. Alan Ganoo, Mr. Haymadoyal Dillum, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Mauritius indicated that for the past ten years, Ivory Coast has regained political stability. The country, he said, has become the lifeblood of the West African Economic and Monetary Union. “Its economy is one of the most dynamic, diversified and resilient on the African continent. It is one of the world’s leading producers of many agricultural products such as cocoa, mangoes and kola nuts among many others”. He also added that despite the Covid-19 pandemic and its global impact, Ivory Coast is one of the few countries that has recorded a growth rate of 2% in 2020, and subsequently 6.5% in 2021.

The opening session was concluded with the official signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ivory Coast (CCI-CI).

The interactive session also comprised a series of dedicated presentations by the MCCI, EDB, the CCI-CI, CEPICI and the Ministry of Planning and Development of Ivory Coast.