Mauritius, East Africa: The Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Mauritius, Dr Nicolas Brühl, paid a farewell call yesterday afternoon on the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, in Port Louis.
Discussions during the meeting focused on further promoting the excellent relations between Mauritius and Switzerland and deepening areas of collaboration in several sectors such as Tourism, SMEs, Waste Management, Double Tax Avoidance Agreements and the Free Trade Agreement with the European Free Trade Association.
The meeting moreover revolved around the development of the pharmaceutical industry in Mauritius in a bid to position the country as a pharmaceutical hub in Africa.
Avenues for collaboration in the fields of fintech and financial services were also discussed, including enlisting Switzerland’s support through the exchange of best practices on the modernisation of the fintech environment.
The potential for the establishment of a blockchain hub in Mauritius for the African continent as an important financial and scientific hub was likewise raised.
The Non-Resident Ambassador, during his tenure, was based in Pretoria, South Africa. It is recalled that Ambassador Brühl presented his Letter of Credence on 29 January 2020 to the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun, at the State House in Réduit.
Switzerland and Mauritius share a great bond. A few years back, Switzerland lifted all the visa requirements for Mauritius residents, which came into force on 1 June 2009, and the country also signed the agreement between the Schengen countries and Mauritius. However, an agreement that entered into force in October 2010 has guaranteed reciprocity for Swiss nationals.
Moreover, they also shared economic relations too in which the trade volume between Switzerland and Mauritius was only CHF 70 million in 2020.
Mauritius’ actual standing is a reflection of its dynamic growth, substantial Swiss investments in industry, and companies which re-invest abroad, in particular in India, favourable business environment, and commercial and tourist services.