BuaNews (Tshwane)
12 March 2008
Mauritius — President Thabo Mbeki is in Mauritius to celebrate the country's 40th Independence Day celebration.
President Mbeki was invited to attend the celebrations in terms of Mauritian custom of inviting one Head of State per year for the annual independence celebrations.
President Mbeki, together with first lady Zanele Mbeki arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius on Tuesday.
After attending the celebrations on Wednesday, President Mbeki will hold bilateral political and economic discussions with his counterpart President Jugnauth and Prime Minister Ramgoolam.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, issues on the agenda of the bilateral discussions include Mauritius' intention to set up a Truth and Justice Commission based on the South African model (Truth and Reconciliation Commission).
Stability within the Indian Ocean region with specific reference to the political developments in the Union of the Comoros and regional integration issues will also be tackled.
While in the country, Mr Mbeki also received courtesy calls from the Mauritian Head of Government, the Leader of the Opposition, Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice.
Due to time constraints, however, President Mbeki will only be able to meet with the Mauritian Leader of Government, Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker of the National Assembly.
President Mbeki and his delegation are expected to return to South Africa on Wednesday.
Mauritius has been seen as one of the strongest economies in Africa with a Growth Domestic Product per capita of $13.200 (2005) while South Africa remains a leading supplier of goods to the country.
The Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) has impacted on trade and investment relations between South Africa and Mauritius while utilising strengths from both countries has been also perceived to be of great benefit.
On the other hand, business from the two countries will look into possibilities of investing in a third country such as Madagascar or Mozambique, taking advantage of the absence of conditionalities as well as the large quantity of cheap labour.
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