News highlights of the week: Surge in exports

Expat news
  • shutterstock.com
Published on 2024-04-12 at 05:49 by Lila Chaleon*
This week in Mauritius was marked by significant developments across various fronts. Here's a breakdown.

Surge in exports

Mauritius witnessed a notable uptick in exports, crossing the impressive Rs 80 billion milestone. Data from the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Economic & Trade Review 2023/24 revealed that South Africa continues to be the primary market. In 2023, exports saw a marginal increase of 1%, reaching Rs 84 billion, surpassing the figures from 2022 and 2021. Key trading partners such as the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and South Africa contributed significantly, with popular exports including fish, sugar, and textiles.

Interception of illegal fishing vessels

During recent fisheries surveillance operations in the Indian Ocean, authorities intercepted two Sri Lankan fishing vessels engaged in illegal activities. These longliners were seized off Madagascar during a regional patrol, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat illegal fishing in the area. This interception aligns with the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Plan (PRSP), aimed at curbing such illicit practices.

Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations

The Mauritian Islamic community celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr this Thursday, marking the end of Ramadan. Festivities started with special morning prayers, followed by traditional family gatherings and exchanges, particularly among children. However, the celebration faced a hiccup due to the visibility of the moon on Tuesday, a crucial factor in determining the end of Ramadan. As the crescent moon wasn't sighted, Eid-ul-Fitr was observed on Thursday instead of Tuesday, highlighting the occasional controversies surrounding moon visibility and interpretation.