MCCI latest publication: Annual Report 2019/ 2020 The Annual Report 2019/ 2020 comprises the Speech of the President at the 171st Annual General Meeting on the State of the Economy, held on 23 July 2020, the activities of the MCCI during the year as well as the list of members. Date: Tuesday, 20th October 2020 Half day Workshop on Safeguards The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade (International Trade Division) is organizing a half- day workshop on Safeguards which has been rescheduled. The objective of the workshop is to advise for domestic industry and operators in Mauritius about the new legislation and the substantive and procedural requirements for Safeguards. The workshop will be conducted by a Trade Remedy expert, Mr. Gustav Brink. Members who are interested to participate in the workshop are requested to contact Khadeejah Nobeebux by
email on knobeebux@mcci.org EU regulation - Organic production and labelling of Organic products The European Union has notified the WTO of its intention to adopt new rules for the implementation of EU Regulations 2018/848 on controls and other measures ensuring traceability and compliance in organic production and labelling of organic products. In view of the impact of the new regulations on exports of organic products from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to the EU market, the ACP Secretariat through its office in Geneva is working on a statement for the ACP Group Coordinator which will be presented at the upcoming meeting of the WTO TBT Committee. In this respect, it would be appreciated if members could submit their views by 22nd October 2020 by email to Khadeejah Nobeebux on knobeebux@mcci.org on the notification for onwards transmission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration& International Trade. Warehouse project in Mozambique: Meeting to be held on 22 October 2020 illustration picture The MCCI, MEXA and EDB are holding a meeting with operators/exporters and Freight Forwarders’ Association (Association des transitaires) to present the proposals for the warehousing project in Maputo and ascertain the interest of Mauritian exporters and logistic providers for the project amongst others. Date: Thursday, 22 October 2020 Members who are interested to participate in the meeting are requested to confirm their participation to Mrs H. Domun-Suddul by 21 October 2020 on: hdomunsuddul@govmu.org Please note that the outcome of the meeting will be reported to Cabinet given the fact the implementation of the warehousing project will depend to a large extent on inputs from the operators. Networking Business Exchange with the British Business Group The MCCI is pleased to invite you to a Networking Business Exchange which is being organized in collaboration with the British High Commission and the British Business Group in Mauritius. The objective is to explore synergies through business cooperation and dialogue to unlock business and investment opportunities in Mauritius. Date: Wednesday 4 November 2020 We wish to inform Members that opportunities for sponsorship of this event are available. Members who wish to attend and/or sponsor the event are requested to contact Mrs. Fadia Curumtally, on fcurumtally@mcci.org or Tel: 2034830 by Tuesday 20 October 2020. Local news Implementation of a Regulatory Review Exercise of the business environment The implementation of a Regulatory Review exercise of the business environment in Mauritius will be funded by the European Union. The Regulatory Review exercise has the following objectives: (a) an overall assessment of the enabling business environment in Mauritius to provide recommendations to improve the general business climate; (b) a review of the regulatory framework with regard to the licensing requirements, institutional arrangement, monitoring and enforcement to operate a business in the four key sectors of the economy, namely Land Use and Construction, Trade and Logistics, Tourism, Healthcare and Life-sciences. An Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Prime Minister will be set up to ensure a coordinated approach to deliver the project. Source Cabinet Decisions Interactive public- private sector Economic Dialogue The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development in collaboration with the Economic Development Board hosted an economic dialogue themed ‘Forum d’échanges avec les associations du secteur privé’ which was held at the Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebène, on the 7th October 2020. The dialogue was launched by Dr. the Honourable Renganaden Padayachy. The objective was to further strengthen public-private sector dialogue and to ensure a sustained partnership with the private sector. More than 80 participants comprising representatives of private sector associations, key CEOs, and chairpersons of public and private sector institutions attended this important exchange. The MCCI was represented by the Vice-President, Mrs. Namita Jagarnath Hardowar, and the Secretary General, Dr. Yousouf Ismaël. MCCI Business School Participation de la MCCI Business School à la première édition de la DIGICUP Légende : Les participants lors du lancement de la première édition de la Digicup, challenge de solutions digitales Le lancement de la première édition de la Digicup, challenge de solutions digitales, a eu lieu le samedi 10 octobre 2020. Organisée par l’ICDT Society de l’Université de Maurice, les associations TIC et les entreprises du secteur numérique, la Digicup vise à rassembler les étudiants des filières informatiques des différentes universités et institutions. Les étudiants de la MCCI Business School en BTS Informatique ont bien voulu se prêter au challenge ! GS1 Corner GS1 Mauritius Newsfeed 15 October 2020 GS1 Mauritius has released its GS1 Mauritius Newsfeed 15 October 2020. Regional & International News CBC: Engagement with Regional Financial Services Regulators, Towards Harmonization of Policies for an Integrated Digital Common Payment Scheme for MSMEs The COMESA Business Council (CBC) convened the Financial Services Regulators Sub-Regional Stakeholder Meeting, on Wednesday 13th October 2020, bringing together 73 stakeholders comprising of Central Banks, Ministries of Finance, and revenue authorities, ICT regulators, mobile network operators, MSMEs, Fintechs, and microfinance institutions. The meeting, chaired by Mr. Marday Venkatasamy, was a public private engagement towards collaborative and coordinated approaches in establishing a regional digital common payments policy for MSMEs which will inform the proposed COMESA digital integrated retail payment scheme for SMEs. Hope for MSME exporters in sub-Saharan Africa The Pulse Check Survey Report, commissioned by eight multilateral development banks and development agencies, including the International Trade Centre (ITC), provides insight for the first time into the state of international trade financing across sub-Saharan Africa Recovery plan for the region The SADC Business Council (SADC BC) hosted its second Annual General Meeting (AGM), via a virtual portal on the 1st of October 2020. The annual report was presented by the SADC BC Executive Director, Mr Peter Varndell and it focused on the post-COVID-19 recovery plan for businesses in the region as advocated by members; how national private sector institutions can participate in National Transport and Trade Facilitation Committee (NTTFC), an institution set up by SADC to coordinate the implementation of regional COVID-19 guidelines. The SADC Business Council is a regional private sector apex organization that brings together SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry as well as apex business organisations. The MCCI is a founding member of SADC Business Council. ICC unveils revised Rules of Arbitration The International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce has unveiled revised Rules of Arbitration due to enter into force in January 2021. Stay tuned on our digital pages below for more business updates 2nd Floor, Anglo-Mauritius House |