The Hindu Business Line : Mauritius may open skies for Indian carriers

MAURITIUS may soon open its skies for Indian carriers, both public and private. A clear indication of this was given by the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr Xavier Luc Duval, during his visit to Mumbai on Thursday.

Speaking on his Government's commitment to the growing Indian economy, he told newspersons that there was a "near possibility" of opening the skies for Indian airlines.

"The country's strategic geographical location advantage for the growing Indian outbound travelling traffic would be very soon passed to the Indian Government. This would pave the way for Indian public and private airlines to use Mauritius as a gateway for onward journey."

He also reiterated the Mauritius Government's commitment on the early implementation of rupee convertibility.

Mauritius had asked its central bank to work on this, as it could give a significant boost to bilateral relations between the two countries, especially on the tourism front.

"An executive committee to study the larger impact of the policy decision has been set up by our Government. The results of the same would be known by the middle of this year. Our relations with India go a long way and this move would be yet another positive decision to strengthen our bilateral association."

Mr Duval is leading a 50-member delegation to explore business opportunities with private travel and tourism operators here.

"Mauritius today wants to proliferate its association with Indian corporates in the travel and hospitality sectors, keeping in perspective the significant business potential and Indian outbound travel graph."

About 30,000 Indians visited Mauritius in 2005, registering an overall growth of 20.4 per cent.

The Mauritius tourism board has projected that these arrivals would cross 33,000 by 2006.

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