Impressed by India's rapid growth in the port sector, Mauritius has sought an investment of about $245 million from the Indian port builders to develop its lone port here.
"We need a total investment of $460 million, of which we are expecting at least $245 million from Indian port developers. We understand that India has made considerable progress in the port sector and we are keen to solicit their expertise for developing the country's lone port here," Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) Deputy Director General Shekur Suntah told PTI.
He said, his country has signed an agreement with India to carry out a hydrographic survey by the middle of next March. A team of officials from the Indian Hydrographic Organisation in Dehradun would be visiting here soon.
Suntah said, the port was the lifeline of the island nation's economy and the Government was aiming to make it a major transshipment point between Africa and Asia.
In line with the globalisation process, the port will have to redefine its functional role in the value chain with a view to enhancing customer value besides ensuring its growth, he pointed out
He said, the Indian Oil Corporation was planning to add an additional storage facility of 4,000 tonnes and has also expressed interest in creation of bunkers in the island nation.
Despite the MPA investing crore of rupees on dredging to deepen the channel to 14.5 metres from the previous 13.5 metres, difficult local economic situation has resulted in a decrease in traffic volume to 5.6 million tones in 2005 from 5.8 MT in 2004.
"We need a total investment of $460 million, of which we are expecting at least $245 million from Indian port developers. We understand that India has made considerable progress in the port sector and we are keen to solicit their expertise for developing the country's lone port here," Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) Deputy Director General Shekur Suntah told PTI.
He said, his country has signed an agreement with India to carry out a hydrographic survey by the middle of next March. A team of officials from the Indian Hydrographic Organisation in Dehradun would be visiting here soon.
Suntah said, the port was the lifeline of the island nation's economy and the Government was aiming to make it a major transshipment point between Africa and Asia.
In line with the globalisation process, the port will have to redefine its functional role in the value chain with a view to enhancing customer value besides ensuring its growth, he pointed out
He said, the Indian Oil Corporation was planning to add an additional storage facility of 4,000 tonnes and has also expressed interest in creation of bunkers in the island nation.
Despite the MPA investing crore of rupees on dredging to deepen the channel to 14.5 metres from the previous 13.5 metres, difficult local economic situation has resulted in a decrease in traffic volume to 5.6 million tones in 2005 from 5.8 MT in 2004.