Mauritius - Ghana Signature of Three Memoranda of Understanding

Three Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)/Agreements on bilateral cooperation between Mauritius and Ghana in various fields were exchanged yesterday at New Treasury Building, in Port Louis.  The documents concluded pertain to the following: mutual visa exemption; standardisation and conformity assessment; and, tertiary education.

The exchange of MOUs was held in the context of the four-day State Visit to Mauritius of the President of the Republic of Ghana, Mr John Dramani Mahama.  The event was preceded by a tête-à-tête between the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, and President Mahama.

In a statement to the media following the ceremony, the Prime Minister said that this State Visit provides an excellent opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation wherein both countries can forge a valuable development partnership and also to further strengthen existing ties.

According to Sir Anerood Jugnauth, both Mauritius and Ghana operate on the principles of democracy and rule of law, a practice which has earned us the respect of one and all.  Moreover, said the Prime Minister, both countries strongly believe in South-South Cooperation and are fervent supporters of closer economic links amongst developing countries and are committed to realise the dream of African unity and prosperity by striving to bring our peoples closer and by building the necessary conditions to create growth and wealth.

For his part, the President of Ghana observed that his visit to Mauritius begins a process that would crown years of collaboration and discussions at the highest level towards strengthening bilateral, trade and political cooperation between Ghana and Mauritius.  From discussions today with the Prime Minister, it is evident that there are a number of mutually beneficial opportunities for our two countries and for our business people, he pointed out.

The President also said that the presence of senior government officials and private sector participants in the Ghanaian delegation and who will be taking part in the business forum scheduled during the State Visit is indicative of Ghana’s desire to transform Ghana-Mauritius relationship into a partnership for promoting private sector engagement and commercial joint ventures.

MOUs/Agreements

• Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption providing for the waiving of visa requirements for diplomatic and service passport holders and for Mauritian nationals holding ordinary passports wishing to travel to Ghana for a period not exceeding 90 days, and vice versa.  This is expected to be instrumental in improving interconnectivity and the movement of people between both countries.
• MOU between the Mauritius Standards Bureau and the Ghana Standards Authority.  The aim is to promote and facilitate trade between Mauritius and Ghana through the elimination of non-tariff barriers and enhance trade relations in areas of standardisation and conformity assessment.
• MOU on cooperation in the Tertiary Education sector to provide for the mutual recognition of qualifications, inter-university linkages, staff and student exchanges, academic scholarship programmes, collaborative research and funding. 

The tête-à-tête

Important bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest and relevance were raised during the working session, in a friendly atmosphere reflective of the special relationship between both Mauritius and Ghana.

Both sides explored potential collaboration in the fields of ICT, sugar and the textile industry, as well as other areas beneficial for the two countries.

Mauritius and Ghana are looking forward to the signing of a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement which will provide additional impetus for investments in the respective countries.