Speeches

Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Stephen Schwartz,
at the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Press Conference

Wednesday, September 20, 2006
U.S. Embassy, Port Louis

Good morning. 

On September 18, 2006, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Karan Bhatia and Mauritian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Cooperation Madan Dulloo signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to strengthen and expand trade and investment ties between the United States and Mauritius.  The TIFA provides a mechanism for a more comprehensive and regular trade and investment dialogue.  Under the TIFA, a United States-Mauritius Trade and Investment Council will be formed to address a wide range of issues that include, but are not limited to, trade promotion and development, export diversification, trade capacity building, intellectual property, labor, investment, and environmental issues.
  
Ambassador Bhatia said, "Mauritius is viewed as a positive model of how trade and investment can fuel economic growth and development.  The Government of Mauritius has an impressive track record on democracy, economic growth, openness to foreign direct investment, economic diversification, and the expansion of trade.  The TIFA will provide an opportunity for us to work together to expand trade between our two countries and to work more closely on a broad range of trade-related issues, including moving the World Trade Organization Doha Development Round forward and on implementing the African Growth and Opportunity Act.” 

The advent of this TIFA is further testimony to the strength of Mauritius’s economic diplomacy.  In the past decade, Mauritius proved itself invaluable in the negotiations to draft and pass through the U.S. Congress the legislation to create the African Growth and Opportunity Act.  After successfully hosting the first AGOA Forum in 2003, the Mauritian government and private sector have continued to provide high-level and highly-valued participation in AGOA events and legislative deliberations.  Mauritius has been a key partner in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Doha Round, pushing to liberalize trade and break down barriers.  The United States appreciates Mauritius’ input on trade matters and looks forward to deepening our relationship.

I want to be clear about what the TIFA is not.  It is not a free trade agreement.  It is not an investment protocol.  It does not alter the status of Mauritius in relation to AGOA’s Third Country Fabric provision.  The TIFA Council might well be used to discuss these and many other issues, but it does not in itself alter the statutory or regulatory framework by which our two countries currently trade and invest.

The United States is pleased with the signing and looks forward to collaborating more closely with Mauritius to strengthen our trade and commercial relations and to increase the mutual opportunities for investment.  The TIFA is an important step down this path.   I am happy to take your questions now.