Karachi, The High Commissioner of Mauritius, Rasidally Soobadar, has encouraged Karachi's business community to use Mauritius as a strategic hub for accessing the African market. He highlighted Mauritius's favorable position in the ease of doing business rankings and its role as a gateway to 54 African countries under the Continental Free Trade Agreement.

According to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Commissioner Soobadar emphasized the potential benefits for Karachi’s businesses, including the ability to set up production units in Mauritius and the advantage of duty-free and quota-free access to the expansive African market. This proposal comes as Africa's population is expected to surpass that of India and China by 2040, reaching over 4 billion, presenting significant economic and investment opportunities.

The meeting, attended by prominent figures including Deputy High Commissioner Adam Koodoruth and KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, also addressed the need to bolster Pakistan’s trade with Mauritius and by extension, Africa. Despite a trade potential, Pakistan’s exports to Mauritius were recorded at a modest $16 million from July to March FY24. Sheikh advocated for the 'Look Africa' policy to enhance trade relations and economic integration with the continent.

The High Commissioner also highlighted Mauritius’s robust governance, peaceful status, and open economic policies, which are conducive to foreign investments. Additionally, he noted special incentives for Pakistani investors, including eligibility for a Mauritian passport against a substantial investment.

In response to the KCCI’s interests, Soobadar discussed Mauritius's thriving tourism sector, suggesting it as another potential area for bilateral cooperation. The event underscored both the current challenges and the significant opportunities for deepening trade and investment ties between Pakistan, Mauritius, and the broader African continent.