Mauritius Envoy Calls on Punjab Chief Minister
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has reiterated her commitment to strengthening economic and technology links with Mauritius, calling for deeper trade and investment ties between the two sides. She shared these views while welcoming the High Commissioner of Mauritius to Pakistan, Munsoo Kurrimbaccus, during a meeting in Lahore.
The chief minister stressed the importance of expanding business-to-business contacts and increasing mutual visits of trade delegations. She also highlighted the value of organising joint exhibitions to showcase quality products from both countries, noting that such platforms can help connect private sector partners and open up new trade channels.
Focus on Trade, Investment and Business Links
Maryam Nawaz said she is determined to enhance trade and economic cooperation with Mauritius across multiple sectors. Both sides agreed to work together in areas such as education, tourism, agriculture and people-to-people exchanges, recognising that stronger ties between businesses, universities and cultural institutions can support long-term partnerships.
The chief minister underlined that Punjab offers a stable environment and a large consumer market for Mauritian investors. She encouraged companies from Mauritius to explore opportunities in sectors where Punjab already has strong capabilities, including agro-processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals and value-added food products.
Opportunities in Technology, Halal Food and Human Capital
Both leaders agreed to increase cooperation in halal food, technology and human resources. Maryam Nawaz pointed out that Punjab is rapidly expanding its capabilities in information technology and digital services, creating fresh opportunities for joint ventures, outsourcing partnerships and knowledge sharing with Mauritius.
She also noted that there is significant room for collaboration in human capital development, especially in higher education and professional skills. The chief minister mentioned that more than 100,000 young people in Punjab are currently being transformed into a skilled workforce through targeted training programmes, which could support future cooperation in sectors such as IT, tourism, finance and services.
Inviting Investment in Tourism and the Blue Economy
Inviting Mauritius to invest in Punjab’s tourism sector, Maryam Nawaz said the province is home to rich cultural heritage, religious tourism sites and natural landscapes that can attract both domestic and international visitors. She suggested that partnerships in hospitality, tour operations, marketing and infrastructure could benefit stakeholders in both regions.
The chief minister also expressed her determination to support investment in the blue economy, an area where Mauritius has considerable experience. She said Punjab is keen to learn from Mauritius’ success in ocean-based sectors and to explore how blue economy principles can be adapted to riverine and inland water resources, logistics and related value chains.
Expanding Punjab’s Exports to Mauritius
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that she is committed to increasing exports of rice, textiles and pharmaceutical products from Punjab to Mauritius. She said sectors like agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals and light engineering have vast trade potential and can provide a strong base for two-way commerce.
Punjab, she added, is rich in opportunities in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals and value-added food products, all of which align well with Mauritius’ demand for high-quality imports and its position as a regional trade hub. Strengthening trade in these areas could help diversify Pakistan’s export markets while giving Mauritian businesses reliable suppliers.
Support for Sugar, Cultivation and Youth Development
The chief minister expressed her readiness to support Mauritius in cultivation and the sugar industry, noting that both regions share experience in agriculture-based economies. She said technical exchanges, joint research and sharing of best practices could create mutual benefits in crop management, sugar processing and related agri-industries.
She also appreciated Mauritius’ tireless efforts against drugs and its initiatives for youth development. Maryam Nawaz emphasised that Punjab is similarly focused on protecting young people from drugs and equipping them with skills that can secure productive futures. She noted that trade and education partnerships with Mauritius could further empower youth in both countries through internships, training programmes and academic linkages.
Strengthening People-to-People and Economic Ties
The chief minister observed that in recent years, trade between Pakistan and Mauritius has witnessed encouraging growth. She said this positive trend should now be backed by closer business networking, easier market access and sustained dialogue between policymakers and private sector representatives.
By expanding cooperation in halal food, technology, education, tourism and human capital development, Maryam Nawaz believes Punjab and Mauritius can build a modern, diversified partnership that benefits both economies. She reaffirmed her government’s commitment to providing all possible support to Mauritian investors and to turning goodwill at the leadership level into concrete projects on the ground.
