Business updates

The Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), in collaboration with the U.S Embassy, organised a technology forum on Tuesday 30 September 2025 with Mr Ernie Fernandez, former Vice President of Microsoft for US local and state governments. Ernie Fernandez is in Mauritius as part of the Speaker Program funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the US Department of State.

The event brought together some 30 leading companies at the Conference Room of Mauritius Network Services Ltd (MNS) in Silicon Avenue, Cybercity, Ebène.

The forum reflects the MCCI's role as facilitator of knowledge transfer and international expertise to the Mauritian private sector.

As the MCCI chairs the Technology Working Group of the COMESA Business Council and recently launched the Digital Product Identity platform with GS1 Mauritius, this collaboration with the U.S. Embassy reinforces its mandate to position Mauritius as a regional innovation hub.

The event comes as Mauritius accelerates its digital transformation, with the government's recent master plan emphasising digital sustainability through public-private partnerships.

Mr. Ernie Fernandez, who recently founded his own technology consulting practice after three decades at Microsoft and IBM, shared his expertise in developing responsible AI roadmaps. His entrepreneurial journey and specialisation in AI strategy align with Mauritius' priorities in innovation and digital transformation.

H.E. Henry Jardine, U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius, highlighted: "The United States and Mauritius share a long history of collaboration built on mutual respect and shared values.Our economic relationship is a cornerstone of this partnership, and collaborative efforts like this U.S. Embassy initiative with the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs U.S. Speaker program, which made Former Microsoft Vice President Ernie Fernandez's program in Mauritius possible, provides a platform to deepen our ties and explore new opportunities."

"This event illustrates our continued commitment to facilitating capacity building and networking for our members by connecting them with leading international expertise," stated Dr. Drishtysingh Ramdenee, Secretary General of the MCCI.

"In a context where artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are redefining business models, it is essential that our companies have access to strategic perspectives that can help them navigate this transformation."

The presentation "Navigating New Trends in Technology" addressed practical implementation of generative AI, organizational change management, and strategies for maintaining competitive advantage.

The Q&A session generated substantive exchanges on AI implementation challenges, ethical considerations, workforce training strategies, and technology applications across financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, and retail sectors.

As the MCCI celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, the organisation continues to serve as the collective voice of economic progress in Mauritius, connecting the private sector with international expertise and fostering capacity building for sustainable economic development.

Caption

Mr Ernie Fernandez, former Vice President of Microsoft's United States State and Local Government business.