The event running from 5th to 9th December is an extension of Mauritius’ participation at Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE: Over the years, Mauritius has crafted a strong growth-oriented development path, making it one of the highest per capita income countries in Africa. The development strategy, built on a combination of political stability, a strong institutional framework, favourable regulatory environment and open trade policies, has gradually transformed Mauritius from a monocrop economy dependent on sugarcane farming, into a competitive, well-diversified and broad-based economy.
The country now offers investment opportunities in various sectors of activity, that will be explored during business forums and panel discussions at the Mauritius Finance and Investment Week, to be hosted from 5th to 9th December at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre. Guests can hear from industry experts explaining why Mauritius is an International Financial Centre of Choice and Excellence.
Commenting on the event, Mr. Ken Poonoosamy, Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Board of Mauritius, said “We are delighted to organise, on behalf of the Government of Mauritius and with the General Consulate of Mauritius in Dubai, the Mauritius Finance and Investment Week in Dubai in the margins of Expo 2020 Dubai. This is a prestigious occasion for us. And Mauritius is amongst the top 15 countries in the world for doing business; this acknowledgement by international organisations confirm that the country remains a competitive and attractive jurisdiction for the international investors community.”
“We look forward to welcoming guests to our business forums and panel discussions,” he added. Mr. Poonoosamy will also deliver the introductory remarks on all of the event days.
Event Schedule:
Sunday, 5th December: Mauritius – The Investment Hub for Africa
The event will commence with a keynote address by the Honourable Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Republic of Mauritius. Followed by a panel discussion titled ‘Mauritius: The Investment Hub for Africa’ that will be moderated by Mr. Vinay Guddye, Director of Global Outreach, Economic Development Board, Mauritius.
Panelists include Mr. Raoul Gufflet (Chief Executive Officer, SBM Bank (Holdings) Ltd), Mr. Sridhar Nagarajan (Regional Managing Director, IQ-EQ), Mr. Yogesh Gokool (Senior Executive – Head Global Business, AfrAsia Bank) and a representative of Mauritius Commercial Bank.
Tuesday, 7th December: Private Banking & Wealth Management
The day will commence with a special note by His Excellency, Mr. Harvesh Kumar Seegolam, Governor of the Bank of Mauritius. While the keynote address for the day will be given by the Honourable Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Republic of Mauritius.
The panel discussion will highlight ‘The Private Wealth Landscape in Mauritius’, and will be moderated by Mr. Sridhar Nagarajan, the regional Managing Director of IQ-EQ.
Panelists include Mr Raoul Gufflet (Chief Executive Officer, SBM Bank (Holdings) Ltd), Mr. Assad Abdullatiff (Managing Director, Axis Fiduciary Ltd.), Mr Marc-Alex Masnin (Head of Wealth Management International, AfrAsia Bank) along with a representative of Mauritius Commercial Bank.
Wednesday, 8th December: Private Equity and Fund Management
The keynote address will be delivered by the Honourable Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Republic of Mauritius.
The panel discussion will be focused on ‘Mauritius IFC: Your Ideal Hub for Private Equity and Fund Management’, and will be moderated by Mr. Faraz Rojid, the Director of Financial Services, Economic Development Board, Mauritius.
Panelists include Mrs. Shamima Mallam-Hassam (Managing Director of Trident Trust Company (Mauritius) Ltd.), Ms. Rehma Imrith (Commercial Director, IQEQ), Mr. Roshan Nathoo (Managing Director, Rogers Capital Corporate Services Ltd.) and Mr. Dhanesswurnath Thakoor (Chief Executive, Financial Services Commission).
Thursday, 9th December: Fintech
The day will commence with remarks by Mrs. Rajah Almazrouei, the Executive VP DIFC Fintech Hive, and a keynote address by the Honourable Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Republic of Mauritius.
The last panel discussion for the event is titled ‘Mauritius: Your preferred FinTech partner for Africa’, and will be moderated by Ms. Ambareen Musa, the CEO of Souqalmal Dubai. Panelists include Mr. Nameer Khan (CEO MENA Fintech Association, Dubai), Mr. Dhanesswurnath Thakoor (Chief Executive Financial Services Commission, Mauritius), Mr. Ian Dillon (Co-founder of Now Money, UAE) and a VC Fintech Investor in the UAE.
About Mauritius Finance & Investment Week:
Mauritius Finance and Investment Week is an event hosted by the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius, under the patronage of the Government of Mauritius. The event will be held from 5th to 9th December in Dubai and will bring together leaders from Mauritius’ finance and investment sectors, along with industry experts, and in line with Mauritius’ participation at the Expo 2020 Dubai.
About Economic Development Board (EDB):
The Economic Development Board (EDB) marks a new beginning in the economic landscape of Mauritius. It heralds a new chapter in economic planning, investment, trade promotion and facilitation. The EDB commenced its operations as a statutory body in January 2018 following the merger between the Board of Investment, Enterprise Mauritius and the Financial Services Promotion Agency. The overarching objective of the EDB is to ensure greater coherence and effectiveness in implementing policies and draw the vision for the economic development path to be adopted to reach a high-income economy status, through sustainable and inclusive growth, whilst ensuring economic independence.
The mandate of EDB is to, inter alia, provide strong institutional support for strategic economic planning and ensure greater coherence and effectiveness in economic policy formulation; promote Mauritius as an attractive investment and business centre, a competitive export platform as well as an International Financial Centre (IFC); act as the main institution responsible for country branding for investment promotion; and facilitate both inward and outward investment and ensure a conducive business environment.
About Mauritius Pavilion:
The Mauritius Pavilion is located in the Opportunity District of Expo 2020 Dubai, close to the Al Wasl Plaza. The pavilion takes visitors on an interactive journey of the tropical paradise island of Mauritius. The design features floor projections and a textured seascape wall and forest, allowing the visitors to explore the splendid nature of Mauritius. The predominant colour of the pavilion is warm, bright, and inviting, reflecting Mauritian hospitality.
The Mauritius Pavilion also invites visitors to discover the country’s achievements and how they are intertwined with its past – “The Roots of the Future”. Visitors will also explore Mauritius’ role in linking the world to Africa.
