Chinese firms encouraged to invest in Mauritius

By Li Xing (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-02-17 18:35

China will encourage Chinese businesses to invest in Mauritius, visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Tuesday.

Making the remarks while meeting with Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Hu pledged that China will keep exchanging views and coordination with Mauritius over climate change, sustainable development of island countries and reforms in the United Nations.

Hu expressed China's willingness to share experiences in supervising financial sectors, stimulating economic growth and exploring ways to cope with the world financial crisis.

Hu told reporters he and Ramgoolam also agreed to help speed up the construction of the Tianli economic and trade cooperation zone, which Ramgoolam terms as the biggest integrated project ever developed in Mauritius.

Ramgoolam also said China will help build two agricultural schools and provide additional scholarships so 65 Mauritian young people will be able to study in China every year. At present the number is 45.

China also agreed to lend Mauritius $260 million to expand the island nation's airport.