Pravind Jugnauth’s mission in India: A resounding success

The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Pravind Jugnauth, made an official visit to India from 13 to 18 September 2016.

Back home he met the media on Tuesday 20 September whereby he expressed appreciation with regards to his meetings with several eminent personalities which he qualified as positive and very fruitful, among whom, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Minister of Finance of India, Shri Arun Jaitley, the Minister of External Affairs, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, the Minister of Railways of India, Suresh Prabhu, and the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Kalraj Mishra.

He pointed out that various issues of strategic importance were discussed namely: the Comprehensive Economic and Partnership Agreement, CECPA, implementation of the Metro Express, development of Ocean Economy, port development, visa on arrival, card for Overseas Citizen of India, liberalised remittance system, the Double Tax Avoidance Treaty as well as Mauritius’ Sovereignty over Chagos Archipelago.

Pravind Jugnauth informed the media that a grant of Rs12,7 million has been allocated by India for development projects in Mauritius particularly for infrastructure projects among others. He further pointed out that in addition to this financial package, Mauritius has solicited the assistance of India to extend an additional financial aid amounting to some Rs 7 billion hence bringing the total allocation to Rs 20 billion for the implementation of other major projects.

The Government of Mauritius has also sought the assistance of the Indian Government for a financial grant of some USD 4 million for the setting up of the new Headquarters of the National Coast Guard, he added.

During his visit, Minister Pravind Jugnauth also met the business community as well as potential investors and entrepreneurs whereby he appealed to them to tap the new economic pillars in the Mauritian market and also use Mauritius as gateway to Africa.