Mauritius keen to invite Indian textile mills

It has been an emotional flight to Chennai for the Mauritius minister of industry, commerce and international trade, Mr. Jayakrishna Cuttaree, who has his roots in Tamil Nadu. "My forefathers came to Mauritius as labourers in a boat. Four generations later I am in Chennai travelling in a sophisticated air craft as a Mauritius minister," muses Mr. Cuttaree, who is also the deputy leader of the ruling Militant Movement of Mauritius. Mr. Cuttaree was part of the high level team that came in on the inaugural Air Mauritius flight to Chennai.

A barrister at law, who also holds a doctorate degree in ecology, the 59 year old Mr. Cuttaree was, prior to his becoming a minister, with the United Nations in the field of environmental planning and, later on, Mauritius' Attorney General. Since 1982 he is a member of Mauritian parliament and has held ministerial portfolios of labour and housing before his current assignment.

According to him small countries like Mauritius will be swept off its feet when the free trade wind, under WTO, blows.

The two major industries in Mauritius, apart from tourism, are sugar and textile. Besides exporting a major part of its 6 lakh ton sugar production, the country is also an exporter of textiles.

Currently the trade balance between 1-billion population India and 1-million population Mauritius, is heavily tilted in India's favour. So what is that Mauritius’ plan to survive and where does India fit into its scheme of things?

In response to this question he says, "regional cooperation is the only way to survive the onslaught. Regional cooperation assumes additional significance when the multi fibre agreement is abolished."

With Mauritius located advantageously in the south-west Indian Ocean region, Mr. Cuttaree would like to take advantage of that as well as the recent developments that have happened in the international trade arena.

On 1 September 2000, twelve countries, including Mauritius and South Africa, signed a trade protocol to have zero duty trade. According to Mr. Cuttaree, this is a major step, since the southeastern African states have a population of 300 million, which is a big market for Mauritius to tap.

The other major development that could have a positive impact on the Mauritian economy is the passing of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act by the US, which paves the way for easier trade between Africa and US.

"It is here that Indian companies can pitch in," he remarks. According to him big Indian textile companies can set up their plant in Mauritius to made readymade garments to be exported to Africa. And what he doesn't say is that from Africa the garments could be shipped to USA!

Currently Mauritius exports garments to European Union on a major scale. For this purpose he welcomes Indian spinning and weaving mills to set up their plants in Mauritius. It learnt that Mafatlal Industries is actively considering setting up a plant in Mauritius. However Mr.Cuttaree refused to confirm or deny that.