GIS – 13 May 2025: A high-level Mauritian delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Dhananjay Ramful, will attend the 2025 United States (US) – Africa Business Summit, organised by the Corporate Council on Africa from 22 to 25 June in Angola, as part of a strategic course of action elaborated at the highest level.
This was announced by the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, this morning, at the National Assembly, in reply to the Private Notice Question relating to the measures being taken to mitigate the effects of the recent imposition of the 10 percent tariff on Mauritian exports to the United States of America.
The Prime Minister explained that, in response to the imposition of tariffs by the new US administration as part of broader trade policy shifts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade established a Working Group comprising public and private sector stakeholders namely the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Mauritius Export Association and Business Mauritius, to assess the economic impact and develop strategic responses.
Accordingly, a meeting was convened on 7 April 2025, and was attended by high-level representatives from various ministries and economic institutions to chart a strategic response. Additionally, the Prime Minister chaired two high-level meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister, relevant Ministers, and senior officials to address the issue at the highest level of government.
The course of action devised following those meetings focused on engaging the US bilaterally and regionally; collaborating with AGOA-eligible countries and the African Union mission in Washington D.C. to formulate a common strategy; and initiating negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement with the US to ensure greater predictability in trade relations.
In this context, the Prime Minister informed that the Foreign Affairs Minister, together with the Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Mr Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea, jointly wrote to the US Trade Representative (USTR) proposing a bilateral agreement to forge a stronger and more balanced relationship between the US and Mauritius. The USTR has responded positively on 29 April 2025 and meetings will be held shortly between the two parties.
According to Dr Ramgoolam, a scenario-based assessment was also conducted to evaluate the potential effects of the US tariffs on inflation, economic growth, trade dynamics, and financial stability. Key assumptions comprise, among others, rising import prices, global trade disruptions, and shifts in commodity prices and currency exchange rates.
The Head of Government stated that the forecast for Mauritius’s GDP growth has been revised to 3.0–3.5% for 2025, reflecting reduced external demand and global uncertainties. He highlighted as well the complexity of the inflationary pressures since while tariffs could raise import prices, weakening demand and commodity prices may temper inflation. Thus, headline inflation stood at 2.5% in March 2025 with a year-end projection expected at 3.5%. It is noted that despite inflationary and trade challenges, the Prime Minister affirmed that Government does not forecast any threat to financial stability.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister welcomed recent developments with the latest US-China agreement on 12 May 2025 to suspend certain tariffs and ease trade tensions, which have buoyed global markets and raised hopes for a more stable economic outlook.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister recalled that in line with Government Programme 2025-2029, a new economic model will be implemented to transform the economy and to build resilience to external shocks. This model will rest upon:
- Diversification of trade to build resilience and mitigate risks;
- Regional integration with African countries by acceleration cross border trade and investment;
- Transformation of the economy to better withstand external shocks through economic reforms that will unlock new opportunities;
- Investment in food security and energy self-reliance with clean energy;
- Embracing technology and innovation to add more economic clusters top economic base; and
- Raising productivity and efficiency and export.
Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website: https://gis.govmu.org Mobile App:Search Gov