EU and Eastern and Southern African states to finalize Economic Partnership Agreement in Mauritius
via Le Mauricien3 min read
Mauritius will host a significant diplomatic and economic event next Wednesday, where the European Union and four Eastern and Southern African states—Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles—will officially conclude negotiations to deepen their Economic Partnership Agreement EPA. This follows over six years of discussions. Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations, and Transparency, will visit Mauritius on June 10 to participate in the closing ceremony alongside trade ministers from the African nations. Representatives from the European Commission, the EU Delegation to Madagascar and Comoros, and government authorities will also attend, with Mauritius represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ritish Ramful. The conclusion of these talks marks the culmination of a process launched in October 2019, known as the Deepening Process, aimed at enhancing the existing EPA. The interim EPA, provisionally applied since May 2012, already links the EU with Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, and Zimbabwe, with Comoros joining in 2019. The new, expanded agreement will cover thirteen strategic areas, including trade in services, investments, rules of origin, trade facilitation, customs cooperation, agriculture, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, intellectual property rights, competition policy, sustainable development, transparency in public procurement, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Mauritius is initiating its first national image campaign for Google Street View, aiming to allow global internet users to virtually explore the country's roads, landscapes, tourist sites, and iconic locations. From July 19 to August 21, 2026, four vehicles equipped with high-definition cameras will traverse public roads, photographing tourist attractions, historical monuments, and other points of interest. World Travel in 360 WTI 360 Ltd will conduct the campaign, with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority MTPA providing logistical support and securing government authorizations. The panoramic images will be assembled, geolocated, processed, and then integrated into Google Maps and Google Earth, creating a visual record of Mauritian territory accessible globally. This project addresses a digital gap, as Mauritius is one of the few tourist destinations lacking extensive professional coverage on Google Street View. Future visitors will be able to virtually explore hotel surroundings, identify routes to beaches and attractions, and familiarize themselves with regions before arrival, which is expected to reassure travelers and aid their choices. Hotels, restaurants, guesthouses, cultural sites, and tourism operators could gain increased visibility on Google Maps and in online searches. Residents will also benefit from an additional tool for locating addresses, planning routes, or assessing access to places. The images could also support urban planning, infrastructure manageme
Must ReadSpain has claimed its second World Cup title, triumphing over Argentina with a 1-0 victory in extra time. The decisive goal came from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, following a cross from Nico Williams. Spain dominated the match, controlling possession and rhythm, while Argentina registered its first shot on goal in the 117th minute. The victory adds a second star to Spain's jersey, two years after their European title. This win further solidifies Spain's position as a dominant force in 21st-century football, alongside their three European Championships in 2008, 2012, and 2024. Key players like Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Fabián Ruiz created numerous opportunities throughout the game, but Argentina's goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, made several crucial saves. The match went into extra time after the score remained 0-0 through 90 minutes, with Argentina also being reduced to ten players. Spain's continued pressure in extra time ultimately led to Torres's winning goal, securing their World Cup triumph.
Mauritius' 2025 ICT statistics reveal widespread internet access, with 2.24 million internet subscriptions 180.5 per 100 inhabitants and 99% mobile coverage. The country's Information Technology Development Index reached 94.8 out of 100 in 2025. Internet access has also become more affordable, with entry-level fixed and mobile plans representing 0.8% and 0.6% of gross national income per capita, respectively. However, despite this high connectivity, the sector's economic contribution has stagnated at 5.7% of national value added, down from 6.7% in 2021. Employment in large ICT establishments decreased by 1.9% to 17,560 jobs, and the number of companies with ten or more employees fell from 106 to 103. While the average value added per employee increased, suggesting productivity gains, it also points to increased automation or growth in less labor-intensive activities. The report highlights a shift towards higher-value activities like programming and consulting, which now generate 43% of the sector's value added, though call centers still account for 17%. The growth in internet subscriptions has slowed to 1.1% in 2025, with 84% of broadband subscriptions relying on mobile networks. While mobile access is prevalent, only 45% of individuals aged 12 and above used a computer in 2024, indicating a gap in advanced digital skills. Mauritians primarily use the internet for social networking 89.1%, entertainment 84.1%, and calls 96.5%, with lower engagement in online banking 36.1%, e-c