Volume 7

Chargé d'Affaires Address-AGM March 2007

Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Stephen Schwartz's remarks

on the occasion of the American Chamber of Commerce

Annual General Meeting

March 14, 2007 - 3:00 p.m.

Labourdonnais Hotel, Port Louis

The Honorable Minister of Industry, Small & Medium Enterprises, Commerce, & Cooperatives Rajeshwar Jeetah,

American Chamber of Commerce Chairperson Lee Koenig,

Members of the American Chamber of Commerce,

Ladies and gentleman,

Good afternoon.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you all today.  We at the U.S. Embassy greatly value our partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce.  Ambassador Cabrera would have liked to address you all today, but unfortunately, he is away from Mauritius on official business.

At last year's Annual General Meeting my speech focused on the need for the Mauritian Government to put its economic planning into action.  The Mauritian Government's introduction of serious economic reform, laid out in July's ambitious budget, clearly illustrates its resolve to move decisively from theory to action. 

To improve the business climate in Mauritius, the Government introduced reforms to simplify tax procedures, streamline work and residence permits, and shorten the time it takes to open a business, to name just a few of the reforms.  Making it easier to do business in Mauritius has a positive impact on AmCham members and American business people interested in doing business in Mauritius.  I commend the Mauritian Government for its resolve in addressing the country's current and future challenges. 

The U.S. Government is an active partner in this economic transformation.  In September Minister Dulloo and Deputy US Trade Representative Bhatia signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.  The aim of the TIFA is to intensify and expand our bilateral commercial relationship.  Both sides worked quickly and held face-to-face meetings in Mauritius in February.  Having been a part of the initial conversations on a TIFA almost two years ago, I am pleased to say that the discussions last month exceeded my expectations and I anticipate a continuous stream of follow up events leading directly to greater commercial ties.  AmCham can benefit from this result, but AmCham should also contribute to bringing it about.

This year, I challenge the American Chamber of Commerce to do three things.  1) To take concrete steps to improve the services provided to its members.  2) To develop the capacity to promote U.S. trade and investment.  3) And to follow the lead of the Mauritian Government by turning its plans into action. 

I hope and expect that the work of Leslie Schweitzer will help you achieve these goals.  Last month, the U.S Embassy sponsored Leslie to come and work with you to identify ways AmCham could improve its effectiveness. I think Leslie did a remarkable job of taking stock of the organization and its potential.  She surveyed those who have a stake in AmCham and those who could work more closely with the Chamber to deepen its ties to the U.S.-oriented business community.  In fact, Minister Jeetah kindly agreed to meet with Leslie.  She later told me that their discussion left her enthused about possible collaboration between the Chamber and the Mauritian government, and I think his presence her today confirms this judgment.    

Leslie's ability to get so much accomplished in one week's time would not have been possible without the assistance of the AmCham Board, led by Chairperson Lee Koenig, and assisted by Administrator Renu Padaruth. 

Lee's enthusiastic collaboration enabled Leslie to develop concrete suggestions on how AmCham can improve its procedures and outcomes.  The suggestions range from changing the ways the Chamber communicates with its members to how the Chamber selects and executes its events.  Lee's dedication to this particular project and her commitment to following-up the visit illustrate her desire to take AmCham to the next level.

As Lee turns over the reigns to the next Chamber Chairperson, I congratulate her on a job well done and wish her the best in her future endeavors.    

I also would like to congratulate Lee's successor to chosen later, and encourage him or her to take advantage of the momentum created by Leslie's visit and to translate her suggestions as well as other new ideas into an action plan that will add value to the American Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius. 

Finally, I would like to thank Melissa Brown from the U.S. Embassy, who as our liaison to AmCham has represented the U.S. Government tremendously well and in my estimation provided outstanding support and commitment to helping AmCham fulfill its role as a key instrument in the bilateral commercial relationship.

The Chamber is at a crucial point in its existence.  In order to ensure its future, AmCham and its new leadership need to seize the opportunities presented by Mauritian government reforms, the TIFA, and Leslie Schweitzer's recommendations so the Chamber can add value to its members and to the bilateral business relationship. As AmCham embarks on this challenge, it must not lose sight of its primary goal: to facilitate U.S.-Mauritian commercial ties.  Its U.S. focus is what sets it apart from other business organizations in Mauritius and must be used to its advantage.

The U.S. Embassy, led by Ambassador Cabrera, looks forward to working with AmCham as it seizes this opportunity to shape its future.  I wish the Chamber much success as it implements its reform program.