The Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, led a high level delegation to Mauritius in the context of the 5th TIFA Council Meeting in Mauritius held this week. The delegation includes the Assistant USTR Florizelle Liser and representative of USAID East Africa, Matthew Rees.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event in Balaclava, Ambassador Marantis said that Mauritius was one of the most dynamic trading partners of the United States.

He highlighted the economic progress achieved by the island and the important foundation work between the two countries on which a more sizeable trade relationship can be built.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius, Dr. Arvin Boolell also made remarks at the event, focusing on the renewal of the 3rd Country Fabric Agreement and the extension of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

At the conclusion of the TIFA Council Meeting on January 16, Ambassador Marantis and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius, Mr. Anund Neewoor, briefed media on the meeting. Ambassador Marantis recapped on the TIFA work plan issues, including strengthening agri-business linkages, Intellectual Property Rights, the Bilateral Investment Treaty and collaboration in trade in services. Ambassador Marantis was later guest of honor at a reception organized by the Chargé d’Affaires Troy Fitrell.

“Paving the Way to Future Growth” is the title of the address by Ambassador Marantis to the Mauritian business community today, in an event organized by the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In his address, Ambassador Marantis said: “… as AGOA is set to expire in 2015, the Obama Administration is actively engaging AGOA beneficiaries, Congress and stakeholders to determine what approach to take as we consider its seamless renewal. We are asking questions such as, how can we increase AGOA utilization across more countries and more products? … How can we replicate Mauritius’ successes on this front? And what can other sub-Saharan countries learn from its successes?”

In a reply to a question from the audience, Ambassador Marantis also recalled that AGOA was a tool to help emerging economies become resilient until they can gain independence from trade preferences.

He used the example of Singapore and South Korea, who both benefitted from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) until they became strong and stable economies.

Ambassador Marantis and the U.S. delegation then visited Plastinax Austral, a company of the ENL group, which exports over 60% of its total production to the U.S.

The company manufactures eye glasses and eyewear for well-known American brands. Plastinax Austral is a good example of companies benefitting from AGOA, with its exports to the U.S. expected to increase by 30% in 2012.

The U.S. delegation has left Mauritius on Tuesday last. The next TIFA Council Meeting between Mauritius and the United States is expected to take place in Washington D.C.