Economics was the main driving force behind the Kuwaiti mission. Mauritius is on the look out for massive Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to generate high growth rates that could sustain job creation. The main task of the prime minister’s delegation was to sell the island as a sound investment location to the oil-rich local business community. The Kuwaiti economy is in search of alternative sources of growth. Petrochemicals and real-estate are among the newly identified opportunities for diversification both locally and globally.

The International Financial Advisors (IFA) will be the first major private investor from Kuwait to be pouring money into our economy. So far Mauritius has been receiving Kuwaiti funds for public infrastructure works, namely energy production and distribution, domestic water supply and wastewater treatment. Bérenger’s visit sets a new milestone in our links with this country where investment capital is in plenty. It is up to Mauritian businessmen now to do the rest.

Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) projects look pretty appealing to Kuwaiti investors. IFA, which has gained substantial experience in developing high-class hotel properties in many parts of the world, will be pursuing an integrated leisure and resort project on the south east coast of the island. The location is aimed at attracting an up-market tourist clientele and will create some 1 000 jobs.

<B>Business, political and cultural ties</B>

Mauritius expects more FDI of this kind to flow into our various industries. The Mauritian delegation held high-level talks with key figures of the Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The latter expressed interest in doing business in Mauritian tourism and agriculture. The Board of Investment will be arranging an investment prospecting tour for Kuwaiti businessmen in the near future to showcase Mauritius as a reliable business location.

Politics and cultural ties were the dominating features of the visit to Pakistan. Some delicate matters such as Indo-Pak relations were on the agenda. On the bilateral front, new trade avenues were discussed. The Pakistani side suggested the creation of a free trade area or, alternatively, a preferential trade area between our two countries in a bid to expand trade. Pakistan is a very important source of yarn and other clothing materials for Mauritian garments. New trading arrangements can help secure better supplies of critical inputs.

<B>Kashmir: the composite puzzle</B>

The keen interest shown by the PM in the Kashmir issue during his Pakistan tour is indicative of the wish of big and small countries alike to see a return to peace and stability in South Asia. Mauritius is one country to whom India-Pakistan strained relations are a source of embarrassment. Port-Louis has always wished to be at equidistance from both countries on key geopolitical matters, though the perceived inclination has always been towards the latter. The PM made the point very clear to his hosts. “Mauritius enjoys privileged relations with India. There is also plenty of room for improving our ties with Pakistan. There is no reason whatsoever to believe that the friendships are conflicting.”

Kashmir has been the main bone of contention since 1948. Pakistan secured a portion of the territory in 1948 when they won a war against their rival. Pakistan-administered Kashmir and India-controlled Kashmir are now divided by the famous Line of Control (LOC). Pakistan views the problem as unfinished business left over from the 1947 partition: It alleges that India control over Kashmir is illegitimate and that Kashmiris should be given the choice of the country they wish to join through a plebiscite. India rejects this claim and holds that the LOC should become the international border. Secular India wants no further splitting up of its territory along communal lines, Kashmir being its only state with a Muslim majority. The conflict has been complicated by the insurgency in the Himalayan valley since 1989, claiming more than 35 000 lives. Delhi accuses Islamabad of supporting the Jihad in India-controlled Kashmir. Pakistan argues the uprising is local and only provides moral support to the freedom fighters. Both sides have stood their ground for decades. Lately, they have started a “composite dialogue” with Kashmir as the central theme.

With Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s defeat in the last elections, the onus is on Pervez Musharraf. The world community has its eyes on this man who can help defuse the tension between the two nuclear powers and win the global fight against terrorism. But Musharraf has a big problem: he has to deal with extremists who want to see bloodshed continue and the Al-Quaida network spread throughout Pakistan.