Business updates

The Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), in collaboration with Cap Business Océan Indien, convened a multi-stakeholder roundtable on the Regional Strategy for the Development of Blue Biotechnology in the Indian Ocean at the MCCI office in Port Louis.

The session brought together representatives from government ministries, regulatory bodies, research institutions, private sector companies, and regional organisations to develop an action plan for Mauritius within a broader regional framework covering Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Mayotte, and La Réunion.

Ms Virginie Lauret, Executive Director of Cap Business Océan Indien, opened the session, followed by introductory remarks from Dr Drishtysingh Ramdenee, Secretary General of the MCCI. Mr Pierre Blanc of COFREPECHE–CREOCEAN presented the technical framework before Dr the Hon. Arvin Boolell, GOSK, Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, officially launched the roundtable.

Participants included the Economic Development Board, Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, University of Mauritius, research institutes (MSIRI, MIBL, CIDP), private sector companies (Mauricoast, Human Network, Ingenia), and regional organisations (Indian Ocean Commission, WIOMSA, Indian Ocean Rim Association).

Through structured discussions, stakeholders identified Mauritius' strengths in blue biotechnology, examined constraints, and outlined priority actions achievable. The roundtable focused on sustainable applications in health, agri-food, aquaculture, and industrial bioprocessing, with participants developing actionable strategies for Mauritius-based enterprises while supporting regional coordination.

This initiative is part of Cap Business Océan Indien's 2021–2026 Roadmap, with financial support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and technical implementation by COFREPECHE–CREOCEAN.

Caption

From Left to Right: Dr. Daniel Marie, Director at the Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI), Mr. Moustapha Magumu, First Counsellor and Head of the Regional Trade Section of the European Union, Mrs. Virginie Lauret, Director of Cap Business Océan Indien, Dr the Hon. Arvin Boolell, GOSK, Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries and Mr. Charles Harel, President of the MCCI.