On his official visit to Mauritius, the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs -HE Toshimitsu Motegi - reiterated the long-term assistance from the Government of Japan to Mauritius in response to the MV Wakashio oil spill.

The Minister effected a visit to the MV Wakashio related sites at Pointe d’Esny and Rivière des Créoles and conducted a working session with the Mauritian delegation in a view to enhance local maritime safety and security. In this line, a Grant Aid under the Economic and Social Programme of Japan for the setting up of an effective coastal radar surveillance was agreed upon.

As a means to contribute to the nation’s effort to bolster Natural Disaster Risk Reduction, an Exchange of Notes for a Grant Aid of 600 Million Japanese Yen was signed.

The Prime Minister of Mauritius, highlighted the fast response of the Government of Japan in the context of the MV Wakashio oil spill incident. He further extended his gratitude for the grant of 300 Million Yen in August 2020 for the purchase of highly sophisticated medical equipment as a COVID-19 emergency response measure and the assistance through the UNDP for a survey on inclusive and multi-sectoral response to COVID-19.

The assistance of Japan has been sought to enable Mauritius and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to secure the necessary doses of COVID-19 vaccines. To further foster bilateral ties between Mauritius and Japan, a call for Japanese companies to invest in Mauritius and engage in Africa through Mauritius was made.