At a time when cross-regional economic cooperation is gaining renewed importance, Mauritius emerged as a focal point for strategic engagement with the visit of Prof. A. V. Srinivasan, Chairman of the SCO Trade Council during the delegation’s visit to Mauritius. His visit reflected a growing emphasis on connecting regional economic frameworks and fostering dialogue that extends beyond conventional bilateral partnerships.
Mauritius continues to strengthen its position as a key economic hub in the Indian Ocean, offering access to African and global markets through its well-established financial services sector, stable regulatory environment, and investor-friendly policies. In this context, the visit focused on exploring how Mauritius could further integrate with emerging trade corridors, particularly those linked to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) region.
During the visit, Prof. Srinivasan held a series of high-level meetings with key Mauritian stakeholders, including the General Manager of the State Trading Corporation, the Minister of Tertiary Education of Mauritius, Mr. Sanjay, Chairman of the Economic Development Board (EDB), and Rajan Seetohul, CEO of Landscope. These interactions provided a platform for detailed discussions on strengthening economic cooperation and identifying areas for collaboration across sectors.
The meetings focused on a range of developmental areas, including infrastructure development, logistics, financial services, education and skills development, and emerging technologies. In addition, discussions covered sector-specific opportunities in renewable energy, the blue economy, real estate and urban development, tourism, fintech, and digital innovation. Particular attention was given to exploring investment opportunities and facilitating partnerships that align with Mauritius’ role as a gateway to Africa and its broader vision for sustainable economic growth.
Prof. Srinivasan’s engagement brought into focus the increasing relevance of the SCO region in global trade dynamics. As a platform that connects major Eurasian economies, the SCO presents significant opportunities for expanding trade and investment networks. By engaging with Mauritius, there is growing recognition of the potential to create linkages between the Indian Ocean region and Eurasian markets, enabling more diversified and resilient economic partnerships.
In his remarks, Prof. Srinivasan stated,
“As global economic systems continue to evolve, there is a clear need to build stronger connections between regional trade ecosystems.By fostering collaboration across these regions, we can unlock new pathways for investment, innovation, and sustainable development.”
Adding to this perspective, Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the SCO Trade Council, emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration in shaping future partnerships, stating,
“Engagements such as these reflect the growing need for structured economic dialogue that connects regions with complementary strengths. Through coordinated efforts, we can create sustainable pathways for trade, investment, and long-term economic cooperation across the SCO framework.”
The visit marked an important step in advancing dialogue between Mauritius and stakeholders connected to the SCO region. It highlighted the growing importance of creating platforms that bring together governments, institutions, and businesses to facilitate meaningful collaboration.
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