Shri Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, has called for a greater economic engagement between India and Mauritius, when Mr. M.M. Dulloo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Government of Mauritius, met him.
To strengthen the existing economic ties between the two countries, a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) is under negotiation, and the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) is a component of the proposed CECPA, the Minister informed.
During 2006-07, India's total exports to Mauritius was $ 736.53 million as against $ 199.43 million in 2005-06, with the growth rate of 269.31%.
The total import stands at $ 14.51 million in 2006-07 as against $ 7.33 million in 2005-06 with a growth of 97.95%. The total trade between the two countries was $ 751.04 million in 2006-07 against $ 206.77 million in 2005-06 with a phenomenal growth of 263.23%.
India has given assistance to Mauritius for its transformation into a knowledge hub in the fields of medicine, engineering, IT and has agreed to give due consideration to proposals for the setting up of centres of excellence in Mauritius in association with quality Indian educational institutions.
The major export items from India to Mauritius include petroleum products, plastic & linoleum products, drugs, pharmaceuticals & fine chemicals, non-ferrous metals and transport equipments.
The major import items from Mauritius to India include readymade garments, fabrics, made-ups, man-made & spurn yarn, chemical materials & products etc.