Author: Klyven Veeramundar
Author Bio: Klyven Veeramundar is a journalist with BIZWEEK, covering business, economic, financial and trade-related developments in Mauritius and the wider region.
Published Date: 31 August 2026
Updated Date: 1 September 2026
Mauritius may have limited natural resources and a relatively small domestic market, but that does not prevent the island from becoming an important trading hub for India. According to Ushmesh Rathi, Director of Icon Steel, Mauritius has the potential to connect Indian businesses with opportunities across Africa and Australia.
Speaking during his visit to Mauritius to receive the Lokmat Global Icons Award, Rathi highlighted the country’s strategic position and its strong cultural and business links with India. He described Mauritius as an important gateway to Africa and suggested that Indian companies could use the island as a base for expanding their regional operations.
Mauritius as a Gateway Between India and Africa
For Rathi, Mauritius’ greatest advantage is not its mineral resources but its location, business environment and relationship with India. African countries have significant mineral resources, including iron ore and other materials that could support India’s growing manufacturing and steel industries.
Mauritius could help create connections between these markets by supporting trade, investment and supply-chain activities. Indian companies could potentially use the island as a commercial and distribution platform while accessing wider African markets.
Rathi also pointed to the potential for cooperation involving scrap metal. Africa generates considerable quantities of scrap metal, creating another possible supply-chain opportunity for Indian manufacturers.
Opportunities for Indian Companies
India’s expanding manufacturing and infrastructure sectors are increasing demand for raw materials and reliable international supply chains. At the same time, African markets are developing and creating new opportunities for investment and industrial cooperation.
Mauritius could potentially sit between these two markets. Its established links with India and its position in the Indian Ocean could help businesses explore opportunities across Africa without requiring Mauritius itself to produce the resources being traded.
Investment is another important area. Rathi believes Indian companies could establish a strategic base in Mauritius while exploring business opportunities in African countries.
Location Can Be More Valuable Than Natural Resources
The example of Mauritius highlights an important point about modern international trade: a country does not necessarily need large natural resources or a huge domestic consumer market to become a successful trading centre.
Rathi compared Mauritius’ potential with Singapore and Dubai, which have built major international trading roles by leveraging their strategic locations, infrastructure and business connections rather than relying on large domestic mineral reserves.
For Mauritius, the opportunity could therefore lie in becoming a connector between India, Africa and other international markets.
Stronger India-Mauritius Trade Links
The relationship between Mauritius and India provides an additional advantage. The large Indian-origin population in Mauritius has helped create cultural familiarity and trust between businesses in the two countries.
According to Rathi, this connection could encourage more Indian businesses to consider Mauritius when looking for opportunities in Africa and Australia. The island could become a platform through which Indian companies develop new partnerships, manage supply chains and expand into overseas markets.
Technology and Supply-Chain Transformation
The steel industry is also undergoing significant changes, with automation, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and greener production becoming increasingly important.
Rathi said Icon Steel is already focusing on recycling and lower-emission production, while emphasising the need for companies to continuously adopt new technologies. For businesses operating across international markets, stronger supply-chain control and technological adaptation are becoming increasingly important.
These trends could create further opportunities for cooperation between Mauritian businesses and Indian manufacturers.
What This Could Mean for Mauritius
The proposal offers Mauritius an opportunity to look beyond traditional economic activities. Instead of focusing only on what the island produces domestically, the country can strengthen its role as a facilitator of international trade.
With the right infrastructure, financial services, logistics and business environment, Mauritius could support transactions and partnerships linking Indian companies with African suppliers and customers.
Final Thought
Mauritius does not need large mineral reserves to become valuable to India. Its real strength may lie in its strategic location, relationship with India and ability to connect businesses with African markets. If these advantages are developed further, Mauritius could strengthen its position as an international trading and distribution gateway for Indian companies.
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