Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Concludes Landmark Trade Mission to Mauritius
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has successfully concluded its first-ever official trade mission to the Republic of Mauritius, held in collaboration with the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius from June 30 to July 3, 2025. The mission was designed to strengthen economic and trade relations and to foster robust business-to-business engagement between Sharjah and Mauritius.
The mission focused on identifying high-potential investment opportunities, enhancing cooperation, and facilitating greater coordination between the business communities of both regions. This initiative aligns with the SCCI’s ongoing drive to attract targeted investments and support the global expansion of private enterprises into promising international markets.
The official delegation was led by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais (Chairman of SCCI), and included Sheikh Majid Faisal Khalid Al Qasemi (First Vice Chairman of SCCI), along with Board Members Ziyad Mohmoud Khairalla AlHaji and Mohamed Ali Marzook Binkamil. Accompanying the leadership were Dr. Fatema Khalifa Al Muqarrab (Director of International Relations, SCCI), Mai Sultan bin Hadda Al Suwaidi (Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation, SCCI), and experts Dr. Lina Al Samkari and Dr. Hassan Al-Kharrat from Al Hanan Ind LLC.
During the visit, the Sharjah Chamber delegation held high-level meetings with key Mauritian Government officials, including Dhaneshwar Damry (Junior Minister of Finance), Shakeel Mohamed (Minister of Housing and Lands), Hambirajen Narsinghen (Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade), Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea (Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives), and Hon Mahomed Osman Cassam Mahomed (Minister of Land Transport). In the presence of Mahen Abhimanu Kundasamy (CEO of EDB), discussions centered on strategies to deepen bilateral economic cooperation, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships and identifying priority sectors such as real estate, infrastructure development, financial services, tourism, and renewable energy.
Both parties exchanged expertise and shared best practices for economic development, reaffirming their commitment to promoting sustainable growth and enhancing cooperation between their respective business communities. During these meetings, Shakeel Mohamed also received a formal invitation to be the Guest of Honour at the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition “ACRES” scheduled for January 2026 at Expo Centre Sharjah.
In his keynote address, Abdallah Sultan Al Owais stated:
“Mauritius stands out as one of Africa’s most dynamic and flourishing economies, acting as a strategic regional gateway linking the African continent with Southeast Asia. Organising this first-of-its-kind trade mission marks a strategic step toward deepening economic cooperation between Sharjah and Mauritius, stimulating trade and investment flows and fostering greater collaboration between private sector players in both markets.”
He further emphasized the role of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Mauritius, noting:
“The agreement opens the door for the business communities in both countries to benefit from exceptional advantages, including customs exemptions, facilitated trade exchange, and increased investment potential across strategic sectors such as manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism, and logistics services,” said Al Owais.
A highlight of the program was the interactive business forum titled ‘Deepening Economic Ties’, featuring presentations by Dr. Fatema Khalifa Al Muqarrab, who outlined “Business and Investment Opportunities in Sharjah“, and Mahen Abhimanu Kundasamy, who presented on Innovative Mauritius and the country’s diversified economic potential. The event brought together business leaders and entrepreneurs from sectors such as financial services, hospitality, real estate, healthcare, and manufacturing.
A key outcome of the mission was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sharjah Chamber and the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). The agreement, signed by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais and Charles Harel (President of MCCI), aims to boost collaboration in strategic sectors including financial services, tourism investment, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and will encourage Emirati companies to capitalize on Mauritius’s geographic advantage as a gateway to African markets. Notably, the MoU coincided with the 175th anniversary of MCCI, symbolizing the expanding partnership between the UAE and Mauritius.
These advances build upon the foundation laid by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has resulted in a 221% increase in Mauritian exports to the UAE since 2018 and opened new avenues in healthcare, finance, tourism, manufacturing, and investment.
The delegation also visited the facilities of IFFCO Group, a leading UAE company with significant operations in Mauritius, serving as a model for successful industrial and investment expansion on a global scale.
The mission marks a pivotal moment in the partnership between Sharjah and Mauritius, reflecting a shared commitment to economic prosperity, innovation, and sustainable development in both regions.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
