The prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, is in India on a one-week official visit. This trip is promising both on the political and economic levels. An important delegation of the private sector went to India with Navin Ramgoolam as well as ministers Rama Sithanen and Madan Dulloo to demonstrate their interest in collaborating with potential investors to further improve economic relations.

During a luncheon meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the PM insisted on the need to “enhance the trade and investment relationship” between Mauritius and India.

“In this respect, the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), which is being negotiated, will be a bold step forward (…) The agreement will be a model for a new type of regional integration of mutual benefit.”

The PM expects that potential investors will come to help Mauritius in the free port, the seafood and knowledge hubs, energy production, information and communication technologies, real estate and the hospitality industry.

<B>MMM keen to be back on stage</B>

The Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) is rebuilding its image. 114 people will stand as candidates for the 20 seats on the central committee. The elction is scheduled for 6th November. MMM leader, Paul Bérenger, is satisfied with the number of veterans wishing to be in the central committee, as it shows that “people are not discouraged despite the double defeat”.

Paul Bérenger, Jayen Cuttaree, Ahmad Jeewah, Ivan Collendavelloo, Rajesh Bhagwan, Sam Lauthan, Rama Poonoosamy, Alan Ganoo and José Arunasalom are among the “old ones”. But there are also several newcomers on the list, which corresponds to the strong desire for renewal within the party.

The part to be played by the younger generation,including Deven Nagalimgun or Steven Obeegadoo for instance, is not clear yet but such names have regularly been mentioned as the ones who will be granted more important roles in the future. Women form only 10% of the total number of candidates and many of them are already in the forefront.