Economic Governance and Management Chapter 4 Economic Governance and Management cent, 6 per cent and 7 per cent respectively. Exports to COMESA are, in contrast, more concentrated. The main destination of Mauritius’s exports to COMESA in 2007 was Madagascar (77 per cent), the Seychelles (12 per cent) and Kenya (5 per cent). The figures for 2008 were Madagascar (76 per cent), the Seychelles (15 per cent) and Kenya (5 per cent). 612. It is not clear how much support for subregional and regional economic cooperation comes from the general population, because there has been no survey of the attitudes of the public. However, in discussions with average citizens, the CRM got the distinct impression that many Mauritians consider themselves more Asian than African because of their historical origins, culture, language and religious practices. 609. In summary, trade between Mauritius and both SADC and COMESA countries is low and concentrated in a few countries. South Africa, Madagascar and the Seychelles are by far its most important trading partners in Africa. A major challenge facing Mauritius is, therefore, how to increase trade with African countries in a balanced and diversified manner. Otherwise, even the economic incentive for promoting economic cooperation will reduce. 613. 610. The CRM found strong support for the findings of the CSAR that Mauritius is highly committed to economic cooperation in Africa at subregional and regional levels. This commitment to economic cooperation with African countries, especially those in Southern and Eastern Africa, is particularly strong among government officials and officials of the JEC, which brings together nine major business groups in the country and represents the interests of key entrepreneurs. Officials of the Mauritius Council of Social Service (MACOSS), which represents 240 of the approximately 500 active civil society organisations (it is estimated that there are around 7,500 of these in Mauritius, which include sports, religious and cultural organisations), also seem to favour subregional and regional economic cooperation. However, given their membership, neither the JEC nor MACOSS can be considered representative of business interests or of broader civil society. The level of broad social support for economic cooperation is a factor of how much information the public has and how much attention major stakeholders give to it. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade (MoFARIIT) is responsible for regional economic cooperation and integration in Mauritius. The Regional Integration Council discusses the position that Mauritius will take on regional integration and international trade matters thoroughly in its meetings. This body represents all ministries, which also has representatives from the private sector and civil society. In addition, representatives of the national committees for the SADC and COMESA, on which all stakeholders (officials, the private sector and civil society) sit, also attend. The national committees brief all stakeholders on the decisions the SADC and COMESA take at each meeting. The media apparently covers these meetings. 614. It was clear to the CRM that efforts are made to inform and sensitise stake-holders and the public on matters of regional economic cooperation and international trade. However, the CRM thinks that the public is not particularly interested in, or informed about, these issues. The CSAR concludes that the low level of response to the question about accelerating the timetable for achieving free trade within the SADC suggests limited familiarity with the organisation. The explanation given to the CRM is that, except for the stakeholders directly affected and the concerned public, people are generally more interested in other issues like employment and the cost of living. Furthermore, this information is in English and French rather than in Creole, the vernacular language spoken and understood by all Mauritians. Limited familiarity with regional integration is likely to hinder broad social support for it and make things difficult for the authorities to make sacrifices to achieve this goal. It is, therefore, a challenge facing Mauritius and its commitment to regional integration. 615. The CRM got the distinct impression that economic interests and calculations largely drive Mauritius’s commitment to close ties with Eastern and Southern Africa and with Africa in general. This confirms the conclusion of the CSAR, noted in paragraph two under 611. 228 Chapter 4 Support for regional and African economic cooperation therefore seems to come largely from officials, major businesses and social elites. This support derives from the fundamental characteristics of Mauritius, which are that Mauritius: (i) is a small island with a population of about 1.3 million; (ii) has limited natural resources; (iii) has production concentrated in a few areas; and (iv) has a narrow domestic market. Mauritius’s strategy of promoting sustainable development by diversifying its economy into new areas, like financial and consulting services and information technology, therefore requires access to foreign markets, especially those in neighbouring countries in East and Southern Africa. 229