Indo-Mauritius Pact

Mauritius is inviting Indian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to set up their units in the island country to capitalise on duty-free export benefit under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), an envoy said here. This AGOA offers duty-free shipments to the US market, presenting significant opportunities for Indian businesses, he said. Replying to a question, High Commissioner of Mauritius to India Haymandoyal Dillum said, "Indian industries should make the most of the AGOA agreement with African countries and the US." Dillum, who visited Kolkata on Saturday to attend a programme of the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, encouraged the leather industry to explore value-added opportunities in Mauritius to gain a competitive edge in the US market. The West Bengal leather sector has been facing a slowdown in traditional markets like the US and Europe due to a slowdown in the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. Leather exports from West Bengal account for approximately Rs 6,000 cr

Commerce ministry notified tariff rate quota for certain items including pineapples, tunas, beer made from malt, rum and procedure for imports of those goods under India-Mauritius free trade agreement

Covering limited items of exports between the two nations, the deal could nevertheless help New Delhi enter not both Africa and Europe, without having to sign an FTA with either

The agreement between the two countries will be valid for five years after which it will be automatically extended for another five years, it said