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Mauritius - USA Relations

Official U.S. representation in Mauritius dates from the end of the 18th century. An American consulate established in 1794 closed in 1911. It was reopened in 1967 and elevated to embassy status upon the country's independence in 1968. Since 1970, the mission has been directed by a resident U.S. ambassador.

Relations between the United States and Mauritius are cordial and revolve largely around trade. The United States is Mauritius' third-largest market but ranks 13th in terms of exports to Mauritius. Principal imports from the U.S. include plastic articles, agricultural/construction/industrial machinery and equipment, medical and surgical instruments, precious stones and jewelry, aircraft parts (for Air Mauritius), automatic data processing machines, casino slot machines, outboard motors, books and encyclopedias, and industrial chemicals.

Mauritian exports to the United States include apparel, sugar, non-industrial diamonds, jewelry articles, live animals, sunglasses, processed specialty foods, rum, and cut flowers. Mauritian products that meet the rules of origin are eligible for duty- and quota-free entry into the U.S. market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. In September 2006, the Governments of Mauritius and the United States signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to remove impediments and further enhance trade and investment relations between the two countries.

More than 200 U.S. companies are represented in Mauritius. About 25 have offices in Mauritius, serving the domestic and/or the regional market, mainly in the information technology, textile, fast food, express courier, and financial services sectors. U.S. brands are sold widely. Several U.S. franchises, notably Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and McDonald's have been operating for a number of years in Mauritius.

U.S. businesses are investing in Mauritius with important trade links between Mauritius and the U.S. Bilateral trade is now valued at $337 million dollars. Of that, $260 million are exports from Mauritius to the U.S. Mauritius also benefits greatly from the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA), as Mauritian exports to the U.S. grew 420 percent between 2001 and 2014. The biggest sectors of export to the U.S. are textiles and apparel, followed by jewelry and processed fish products.

Since 2005, more than 2,000 Mauritians have studied in the U.S. Currently, there are more than 230 Mauritian students studying in America. Scholarship/financial aid awarded to Mauritian students for Fall 2016 was $687.000 (MUR 24,378,000). All students departing for the U.S. in 2016 for higher education were awarded either partial or full scholarship packages from their respective U.S. universities. The United States funds a small military assistance program. The embassy also manages development assistance funds, special self-help funds for community groups and nongovernmental organizations, and a democracy and human rights fund.

In 2018, the U.S. Embassy celebrates its 50th anniversary in Mauritius. In 2019, the U.S. Embassy and the government of Mauritius celebrate the 225th anniversary of our bilateral relationship.