Mauritius marks historic conclusion of EU-ESA Economic Partnership Agreement

Mauritius marked yesterday a landmark milestone in its trade and economic history with the successful conclusion of negotiations on the deepened Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region and the European Union (EU). To mark the occasion, the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) hosted a reception at the L’Aventure du Sucre in Beau Plan.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Dhananjay Ramful; the Director of the European Commission Directorate-General for Trade, Ms Dora Correia; and the President of the MCCI, Mr Patrice Marie delivered their keynote addresses. The event was also attended by the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell; the Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Mr Aadil Aameer Meea, as well as foreign Ministers, Senior Officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

In his remarks, Minister Ramful described the Agreement as a historic milestone opening a new chapter in EU-ESA economic relations. “The Agreement reinforces our ambition to position ourselves as a regional platform connecting Europe, Africa and the Indian Ocean region,” he said, adding that it creates new prospects for exporters, service providers and investors while deepening integration into regional and global value chains.

Mr Ramful further highlighted the significant potential of the ESA region in areas such as manufacturing, services, the blue economy, agribusiness, digital technologies, renewable energy and logistics, noting considerable scope for collaboration that could generate employment and promote sustainable growth.

The Minister invited the private sector to rise to the challenge, urging businesses to identify new opportunities, develop partnerships, invest in innovation and explore new markets.

To that end, he called for the establishment of regular EU-ESA Business Forums and investment promotion platforms to connect companies, investors and trade organisations on both sides and nurture a new generation of commercial partnerships.

For her part, Ms Correia underscored the EU’s commitment to deepening economic ties with the ESA region, while the MCCI President reaffirmed the private sector’s readiness to seize the opportunities of the landmark agreement.

On 10 June 2026, the EU and the four States of the ESA namely Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles concluded in Mauritius after more than six years of negotiations, a modern and comprehensive EPA, a first of its kind Sub-Saharan African.

The Agreement enhances the existing interim EPA being implemented since 2012 between the EU and ESA States. It establishes a modern framework for economic cooperation, creating new opportunities across key sectors including trade in services, investment, digital trade, innovation and sustainable development. It is also expected to strengthen the conditions for businesses to operate, invest and expand across markets with greater certainty and predictability.

11 June 2026

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Topics: Bilateral cooperation