Mauritius an important gateway into Africa for WA trade

9/11/94

The strengthening links with the Republic of Mauritius will be a positive factor in Western Australia's involvement in an expanding Indian Ocean trade zone, according to Deputy Premier Hendy Cowan.

Mr Cowan, who has just completed a visit to the country, said Mauritius was one of the fastest-developing nations in Southern Africa and could serve as an important gateway into mainland Africa for WA goods and services.

In addition, our private and public sectors were well-placed to tap into opportunities associated with Mauritius's development.

In line with this objective was the signing in Port Louis by Mr Cowan of a Memorandum of Co-operation between the Fremantle Port Authority and the Mauritius Marine Authority, which is responsible for that country's main port, Port Louis.

The agreement provides for co-operation between Port Louis and Fremantle based on exchanges of technological, economic and cultural information.

Mr Cowan said the Port of Mauritius was undergoing a major rebuilding and expansion program, including extensive reclamation from the sea for new berthing areas.

The expansion of the port was tied to the development of Mauritus as a free port and entrepot trading centre for East Africa and its linkages with Asia.

Port expansion in Mauritius was expected to generate substantial new work for international consultants and the signing of the memorandum would help to open up opportunities for WA in areas such as construction, grain handling, loading facilities, port management, computer systems and staff training.

"The fact that Port Louis has been transformed into a customs-free zone for all goods destined for re-export presents opportunities for increased WA access into Africa," Mr Cowan said.

"Through its membership of the Preferential Trade Area for Eastern and Southern African States (PTA), Mauritius offers access to a regional market of 250 million consumers.

"There is no doubt that the Indian Ocean region, which includes huge markets in India, Africa and the Middle East, is set to become a major international trade and economic zone and WA has a strong interest in contributing to the development of this thriving region.

"WA has a 2,000 km stretch of Indian Ocean coastline and, importantly, the natural resources, technological expertise and specialised manufacturing which allow it to share in the benefits of regional expansion.

"Mauritius has a long-established record of trading links with East Africa and Asia and WA stands to gain from taking advantage of those links."

Mr Cowan said Austrade had targeted processed foods, building materials, rural development, medical and hospital products and services, tourism and hospitality as areas in which Australia could boost its trade with Mauritius.

"WA has expertise in all these areas and trade missions such as the one I am now leading to Southern Africa can be a constructive way of assisting businesses to develop important contacts," he said.

"Developing closer government-to-government relations is also an important part of the process."

The 30-strong trade mission has been organised jointly by the Australia-Southern Africa Business Council and the Department of Commerce and Trade with support from the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Its next destination is South Africa, followed by Zimbabwe.

Media contact:  Peter Jackson 222 9595