Steve Li : “There are plenty of opportunities for Made in Mauritius products in China”

The President of Chinese Chamber of Commerce believes that Mauritius has missed the train, fifteen to twenty years back when China was looking for a platform to Africa but not much had been done to convince them to set foot here.

“Now Just like President Xi Jinping, they go to Africa first, then on the way back, just stopover for a friendship visit. They have developed many places in Africa and helped financially the countries that have welcomed them. The only thing we can do is to keep the traditional food and culture in a Mauritian way and welcome the delegates throughout the year.”

He states that right now, it’s a one-way transaction. “Many Mauritians go to specific places where they buy their products to sell in Mauritius. Since 2016, the Chinese Chamber Of Commerce has been responsible for a yearly delegation to attend a One Belt One Road MSR Trade Fair in Dongguan, where Mauritians in any business sector, from tourism to manufacturing, can present their expertise, not only to the Chinese people but also to the whole world attending the Fair.”

He avers that it is a great honour to have, for the second time, a President of one of the most economically powerful countries to visit Mauritius, but we have to understand the expectations of China also. “They want to invest in as many African countries as possible, make themselves known for their latest technologies, financial abilities and above all ready to communicate also to the world at large. In return, with whom those countries will do business first?”

Concerning how far this visit will be beneficial, he says that “all will depend at what level the negotiations take place; will it be only what China can give Mauritius or how Mauritius can participate in an interaction of long-term projects? Why not the airport runway project in Rodrigues? Up to now, it seems that this project is lingering on the shelf. It will be beneficial for both Mauritius and Rodrigues to have a bigger passenger plane for the tourism industry, which can help Rodrigues to also develop successfully.”

He reveals that there are plenty of opportunities for Made in Mauritius products to be sold in China. Even the SME Mauritius is aware of the fact and has jointly with the Chamber to organise, a few weeks back, a road show to explain how things work; it’s just for the different industries to be willing to join the successful bandwagon for a better future. Already, some people who attended the Dongguan Trade Fair in 2016 & 2017 are benefiting from export to China.”