President Xi Jinping said that China and Mauritius are expected to sign a Free Trade Agreement in the near future, following meetings with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth in the Indian ocean island nation, Yicai.com reported.
Earlier in June, the second round of negotiations on the China-Mauritius FTA were held in Beijing, following the first round of negotiations held in Mauritius in April. Upon completion, it will become the first free trade zone between China and an African country.
Mauritius has launched Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to put the country into the league of high-income economies with a focus on port development, high-end manufacturing and information innovation.
While China has rich experience and advantages in infrastructure, communications, civil aviation, fisheries and other fields.
China is Mauritius’s second largest trading partner and the largest source of imports. Also, China is a major source of tourists to Mauritius, with nearly 100,000 Chinese tourists visiting every year.
A great achievement for both countries. The man on the street would be the beneficiary. Congratulations to both leaders for this achievement.