Purpose 1: Enhance the business environment for exporting SMEs

• Developed an action plan to address issues related to the implementation of the i-EPA;
• Guide on "Managing Quality in Mauritius" to sensitize stakeholders on quality, standards and technical regulations, SPS and the related-services available in Mauritius prepared;
• Training material focusing on standards and conformity assessment procedures prepared;
• Advisory services, training and online solutions for enhancing SMEs’ export competitiveness undertaken;
• Setting up the EBIC for supporting business linkages with the EU market including the EU overseas territories in the Indian Ocean sub-region;
• One-day training workshop on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) for the key beneficiaries successfully held.

Purpose 2: Promote exports of the Mauritius private sector including SMEs, Women and Young Entrepreneurs

• Competitiveness and export diagnostic studies undertaken;
• Training for SMEs, women and young traders on export competitiveness prepared;
• Export strategy coaching and implementation undertaken;
• Marketing communication coaching undertaken;
• Review the most important communications tools undertaken;
• Practical recommendations as to how these tools could be optimized for sustained success prepared;
• Training workshop targeting the trade Ministry, associations of key stakeholders such as the chambers of commerce, SMEDA, Women and Young traders etc. successfully carried out;
• Capacity Building on selected TISIs) to support SMEs in complying with i-EPA Rules of Origin carried out;
• Training material for the concerned staff of TISIs on i-EPA Rules of Origin Criteria prepared;
• Delivered in-house / on-the-job training to the concerned staff on the RoO;
• A guide on compliance with i-EPA Rules of Origin prepared;
• Awareness canvas targeting the business community and their respective associations over the evolving opportunities and benefits of the i-EPA and Trade Facilitation Agreement prepared;
• Sensitization material especially aimed at SMEs, Women and Youth Exporters on specific sectors in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and other relevant stakeholders in Mauritius prepared;
• Developed the sensitization material on the i-EPA in both English and French;
• Video on the results of the Programme Interventions prepared and widely circulated (https://youtu.be/QRyAbIobcns)