November 15th of 2019, co-hosted by Economic Development Board, Mauritius and Shenzhen Outbound Alliance organized by Roadlink GLB, co-organized by Statistical Society for Foreign Economic Relations and Trade of Shenzhen and Point-Line Space Professional Service Exchange Center supported by Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, The First Mauritius-China Business Seminar “Think Africa, Invest Mauritius” was successfully held in Shenzhen!

Group photo of distinguished guests

During the seminar, Mr. Arvind Radhakrishna, Head of Global Outreach Strategic Business Unit of Economic Development Board, Mauritius and Mr. Gao Lin, Counsel of Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality both delivered an opening speech. They both put emphasis that the Business Seminar was a milestone of the cooperation between Shenzhen and Mauritius.

Mr. Arvind Radhakrishna, Head of Global Outreach Strategic Business Unit of Economic Development Board, Mauritius was delivering a welcome note.

Mr. Gao Lin, Counsel of Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality was delivering the opening speech.

Then, Mr. Arvind Radhakrishna, Head of Global Outreach Strategic Business Unit of Economic Development Board, Mauritius gave an excellent presentation illustrating the investment and trade opportunities in Mauritius. He mentioned that October 17, 2019 marked the signature of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Mauritius and China, whereby the two nations ink deal for the very first African FTA with China. Mauritius also spearheads the other African nations and will formally establish the first African Economic and Trade Representative Office in China. Mauritius has a convenient business environment, and was recently ranked 13th in the world among 190 countries. With perfect incentives, excellent infrastructure and high-quality bilingual talents, Mauritius is an ideal strategic base for expanding business in Africa.

Mr. Arvind Radhakrishna, Head of Global Outreach Strategic Business Unit of Economic Development Board, Mauritius was giving a presentation.

Subsequently, Mr. Ben Zhai, Deputy Secretary-General of Shenzhen Outbound Alliance gave a presentation about SOA. He mentioned that back in 2016, with the support of Shenzhen Municipal Commerce Bureau and the Civil Affairs Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Shenzhen Outbound Alliance was officially founded to help the enterprises carry out international investment and trade cooperation and explore overseas markets.

Mr. Ben Zhai, Deputy Secretary-General of Shenzhen Outbound Alliance was giving a presentation 

Subsequently, under the joint witness of Mr. Gao Lin, Counsel of Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality and the seminar guests and participating enterprises, Mr. Arvind Radhakrishna, Head of Global Outreach Strategic Business Unit of Economic Development Board, Mauritius and Mr. Ben Zhai, Deputy Secretary-General of Shenzhen Outbound Alliance, signed a MoU on behalf of the Economic Development Board, Mauritius and SOA, marking the addition of new international partner and the further development of cooperation between both sides.

MOU signing ceremony between Economic Development Board, Mauritius and SOA

Afterwards, Mr. Desmond Chu, Chief Representative Officer of ABC Banking Corporation in Hong Kong shared the advantages of Mauritius being the gateway to Africa. Also, he introduced the development history of ABC Corporation and the wonderful story about how his grandfather Sir Zhu Meilin who became the first Chinese on Mauritius Rupee.

Mr. Desmond Chu, Chief Representative Officer of ABC Banking Corporation in Hong Kong was giving a presentation

Mr. Lin Jue, Partner of Deloitte (Shenzhen) delivered a presentation with the subject on “Reconfiguration of global value chain - Investment and operation in Africa through Mauritius”. He analysised the importance of Mauritius’ s role in investing in Africa with a number of successful cases.

Mr. Lin Jue, Partner of Deloitte (Shenzhen) gave a presentation

Lastly, Ms. Mai Jia, Vice Director of International Affairs & Investment of Roadlink GLB introduced the International Service Platform for Enterprises. As the leading service provider of the new economic zone in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, the Greater Bay Area, Roadlink GLB focuses on building a ‘global interconnected ecosystem’. Its main business includes consulting, investment and financing, overseas marketing development, international conferences, etc. for enterprises and public institutions. Roadlink GLB creates a platform for policy, project incubation and overseas expansion with multiple resources. It is a new format for innovative service trade and a comprehensive service provider.

Ms. Mai Jia, Vice Director of International Affairs & Investment of Roadlink GLB was giving a presentation

After the seminar, representatives of participating enterprises communicated with speaking guests. Nearly 100 business representatives from Mauritius and all over China were in Shenzhen to attend the seminar and said that they had gained a lot from this event.

Seminar on site

Business matchmaking on site

Business matchmaking on site

Africa is a bright spot and a compelling zone of opportunities for Chinese enterprises and investors. With a rising consumer class, improving infrastructure and strengthening regional economic and trade ties, Africa is expected to see a surge in Chinese investment over the next decade. EDB and SOA will further deepen cooperation in boosting bilateral economic and trade ties. Moreover, SOA established its Africa branch in November of 2017, committed to providing international services for enterprise; and vice versa, EDB will be launching its offices in the next forthcoming months to provide services for more Chinese enterprises.