Hooda in Mauritius on official tour

Chandigarh, Mar 11 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda arrived in Port Louis today on a three-day official visit to Mauritius.

He has been invited along with his wife Asha Hooda by Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Independence and 16th Anniversary of the Accession of Mauritius to the State of Republic.

The Chief Minister was received by Rajeshwar Jeetah, Mauritius Minister of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprise, Commerce and Cooperative, at the Airport along with senior officials from Indian High Commission, according to official sources here.

Along with him, senior officers of the Haryana Government, Dr Ram Prakash, MP, and a small delegation of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) also accompaned the Chief Minister.

In the afternoon, Mauritius President Anerood Jugnauth, along with his wife, welcomed the Chief Minister and his wife at his official residence.

During the meeting both the leaders discussed the historical relationship between the two countries.

He said the life style of the Mauritius people is similar to that of Indians. ''They wear the same dress as Indians do. Major part of the population is of the Indian origin only.'' He said he had recently visited India and a few towns of Haryana including Karnal and Kurukshetra.

The Chief Minister during the discussions appreciated the progress done by Mauritius within 40 years of its independence.

He informed the Mauritian leader about the Economic and Social reforms being undertaken in Haryana. He said though Haryana was one of the smallest state in the India, the FDI inflow was the highest in the state.

Corporates from all parts of the world were investing in Haryana because of world class Industrial infrastructure and other facilities being provided by Government of Haryana, he added.

He also invited the President and his wife to visit Haryana.

In the evening the delegation had an interactive session with the Board of Investment, Republic of Mauritius, at their Head quarter in Port Louis.

The session was attended by CII members and Senior Haryana officials. The issues of mutual trade were discussed.

During the session, a promotional film on Haryana was also shown indicating the various opportunities available in Haryana for the foreign Corporates.

Later in the evening, the Chief Minister was invited by Arya Sabha, Mauritius as Chief Guest. He was received by Shri Rajnarain Guttee, President, Dr Oudaye Narain Gangoo, Vice President, Arya Sabha, Mauritius.

UNI MA BK2133