Saudi Arabian plans to strengthen trade relations with Mauritius, an island county in the Indian Ocean with the recent meeting between Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the country Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Ali and Mauritius Minister of Industry and Commerce Showkutally Soodhun. The meeting took place at the Minister's Office in the capital city during the ambassador's three-day visit, in the presence of Saudi Embassy Attache Malek Ghawas and the Minister's Adviser Yasine Mohabuth. Al-Ali, who has residence in Pretoria, South Africa, talked about the need to increase relations with the Indian Ocean island. “Trade relations are becoming more important than politics”, Al-Ali said. “Regarding food security we can see how Mauritius can help us in planting our crops and exporting them to Saudi Arabia.” Al-Ali also enquired about the port and free-port facilities in Mauritius especially regarding storage of petroleum products and the entrance of big vessels. “I have signed many contracts in the past with the Saudi authorities especially with Prince Abdulaziz Bin Fahd in 1989 regarding the construction of the Islamic Cultural Centre where the Islamic Development Bank help us,” Soodhun told. “I admit that these relations were not sufficiently cemented as we stayed too much on religious affairs but I can tell there are ongoing preliminary discussions in respect of a double taxation avoidance agreement as well as an investment and promotion agreement with Saudi Arabia.” “But now being the Minister of Trade, I will see to it that we have increased relations especially that the Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam wants to open-up more trade with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Countries”. “I thank the very open-minded, dynamic and enthusiastic Ambassador Al-Ali for his invitation to bring businessmen to Saudi Arabia.” Soodhun arranged for Al-Ali to visit two government executive arms namely the Board of Investment and Enterprise Mauritius. Al-Ali handed over 50 tons of dates to the country as a gift from the Kingdom.
