Mauritius-Turkey to Further Strengthen Trade and Economic Relations

Mauritius and Turkey will sign on 07 February 2013 in Istanbul a Framework Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation and an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.

The agreements will be signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Dr Arvin Boolell (head of delegation), for Mauritius, and the Minister of Economy, Mr Zafer Caglayan, for Turkey.

The Mauritian delegation also comprises Mr Assad Bhuglah Director of Trade Policy, Mr Mahmood Cheeroo, Secretary General of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Mr Amedee Darga, Chairman of Enterprise Mauritius, Mr Maurice Lam, Chairman of Board of Investment (BOI), and Mrs Nirmala Jeetah, Director, Policy and Planning, BOI.

At the level of the parastatal bodies and the private sector, the institutions of both Mauritius and Turkey will sign MOUs to enhance cooperation: MOU on mutual cooperation between the Turkish Investment support and Promotion Agency and BOI of Mauritius; and, MOU between the MCCI and TUSKON (Turkey Chamber of Commerce).

These agreements represent an additional step in fostering relations between both countries following the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in September 2011.

Meetings are also scheduled between the Mauritian delegation and the Turkish business community to help identify areas for investment and trade.  Both parties will also seize this opportunity to discuss the implementation of the FTA.  Mauritius is awaiting the Turkish side to finalise its internal procedures for implementation of the FTA.  With the entry into force of the agreement, Mauritius will benefit duty free access on all industrial products including key exports such as denim, jewellery, article of leather, amongst others.  Mauritius will also benefit from preferential access on agricultural products including tuna, cut flowers and tropical fruits.

The Framework Agreement

The Framework Agreement is multi-dimensional and will help to identify concrete areas where both countries can work together especially in terms of increasing investment flows.  It will cover the following areas: Agriculture, Fisheries, Education, Health, Industry and SME development, Science and Technology.

This agreement will also help create synergies between the business communities of both countries and identify where joint venture projects could be promoted and what needs to be done to increase trade flows and remove any non trade barriers.

Negotiations on the Framework Agreement were concluded in January 2012.  Mauritius seeks, through this agreement, to further consolidate ties and spur Mauritian stakeholders to export to Turkey.