The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius, in collaboration with MEDEF International, Business France and Business Mauritius, hosted the France-Mauritius Business Forum under the theme « Un Héritage Partagé, un Avenir Prospère » (A Shared Heritage, a Prosperous Future). The event brought together some 70 companies from France and Réunion Island, reinforcing the strong and enduring partnership between Mauritius and the French business community.
In his keynote address, Hon. D. Damry, Junior Minister of Finance, underscored the deep historical and economic ties between Mauritius and France. He reaffirmed the Government’s vision of positioning Mauritius as a preferred investment destination and a strategic bridge to the African continent.
The forum was also honored by the presence of Mr. Thani Mohamed Soilihi, Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships (France), who stated: “The world is going through a difficult time, marked by uncertainty, disruption, and instability. Our businesses are seeking reliable value chains and stable environments. That is what France can represent for Mauritius, and Mauritius for France. I wish for increased exchanges between our two countries.”
The forum featured discussions among Mauritian and French business leaders around key strategic themes, including the blue economy, regional value chains, sustainable development, innovation, technology, and digital transformation.
Speakers placed strong emphasis on developing Mauritius’ blue economy and agro-industry as pillars for enhancing food sovereignty and sustainable marine resource management, calling for robust private sector engagement. The untapped economic potential of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was highlighted. Challenges such as fish export quotas, limited connectivity, and underdeveloped port infrastructure were discussed in depth.
A call for greater regional cooperation among Mauritius, Réunion, and Madagascar emerged, particularly to build local production capacity and a resilient regional value chain through stronger public-private sectors collaboration and through regulatory alignment—including phytosanitary standards—while safeguarding biodiversity.
In terms of sustainable development, the focus shifted to smart cities, energy transition, green finance, and sustainable tourism. Participants stressed the importance of integrated and sustainably planned smart cities, driven by strong public-private partnerships. The tourism industry was encouraged to move toward longer visitor stays, deeper regional engagement, and stronger environmental safeguards.
Accelerating the energy transition was also a key theme, with discussions around expanding renewable energy sources such as solar and biomass, improving bagasse utilization, and addressing the financial mechanisms needed to support these transitions. Participants also advocated for a nationwide shift towards circular waste management, supported by structured waste-sorting systems and enabling regulatory frameworks.
The forum also addressed opportunities to foster investment and innovation between Mauritius, the Indian Ocean region, and France, showcasing the country’s appeal as a regional hub. Particular attention was given to the digital economy and the ICT Blueprint, with priorities including e-government, digital infrastructure, data protection, and talent development.
Opportunities for Franco-Mauritian collaboration in digital platforms and solutions were explored, capitalizing on Mauritius’ advanced digital infrastructure and open investment climate. Boosting public sector digital transformation and e-government initiatives were showcased as high strategic priorities. The importance of democratizing access to AI, especially among youth, and the comprehensive needs of a thriving startup ecosystem—beyond the pursuit of unicorns—were emphasized. Issues such as access to seed capital and de-risking investment were highlighted, along with the need to integrate AI in education through public-private partnerships.
Watch the full recording on our YouTube channel and catch up on all the highlights.
