Sharjah: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) hosted Shakeel Ahmed Yousuf Abdul Razack Mohamed, Minister of Housing and Lands of the Republic of Mauritius, as the Guest of Honor at the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition 'ACRES 2026'. This visit, stemming from an official invitation extended by SCCI during its 2025 trade mission to Mauritius, underscores the robust economic ties between Sharjah and Mauritius.
According to Emirates News Agency, an official meeting took place at the chamber's headquarters to explore joint investment opportunities and potential collaborations in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, food security, and real estate. These discussions were held within the framework of the UAE-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, along with Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, welcomed the delegation. The meeting included notable figures such as Abdelrahman Bin Taliah, Director of Executive Affairs at Air Arabia, and Farid Belbouab, Group CEO of Gulftainer, among others.
The discussions emphasized the importance of cooperation in areas like aviation, logistics, and supply chains to boost cross-border and regional investment opportunities. The meeting highlighted the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Mauritius, which became effective on April 1, 2025. The CEPA aims to eliminate tariffs on over 97 percent of UAE exports and 99 percent of Mauritian exports, with a goal to increase bilateral non-oil trade from approximately US$209 million to US$500 million within five years.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais emphasized the solid investment foundation of Sharjah-Mauritius business ties, supported by the CEPA's robust legal and trade framework. He noted that bilateral trade saw an 82.5 percent increase in the first four months of 2024, aligning with long-term objectives to enhance investment opportunities and deepen cooperation between the business communities of both regions.
Shakeel Ahmed Yousuf Abdul Razack Mohamed highlighted Mauritius as a strategic entry point for UAE companies aiming to expand into Sub-Saharan Africa, supported by legal and tax incentives under the Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement signed in 2015. The minister's visit coincided with the opening of the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition (ACRES 2026) at Expo Centre Sharjah, where the delegation examined potential real estate investment opportunities and partnerships in property and urban development.
Both sides discussed high-potential investment opportunities in the Sharjah and Mauritius business communities, with a particular focus on manufacturing and logistics. They emphasized how Sharjah-based companies could utilize Mauritius' freeport facilities as a hub for storage, distribution, and re-export to African markets. Investors were encouraged to leverage the legal, fiscal, and investment incentives offered by Sharjah and Mauritius, aiming to foster sustainable growth and economic prosperity. This positions Sharjah as a global trade hub and Mauritius as a strategic gateway to Africa.