Reply: Since its inception in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been a vital market-access tool enabling Mauritian exporters to strengthen and expand their presence in the United States. This preferential market access has given Mauritian industry operators a competitive advantage over low-cost producing countries. As such, the United States remained a principal export destination for Mauritius, ranking third largest market for domestically manufactured goods in 2024. It is a known fact that AGOA has officially expired on 30 September 2025 and has, at date, neither been renewed nor extended, placing this longstanding duty-free market access at risk. Without a renewed agreement, Mauritian exporters will lose valuable trade preferences that they benefit from the AGOA, which has, so far, been the linchpin for sustaining their market share and export growth on the US market for the last 25 years.

164 AGOA conferred tariff benefits to Mauritian enterprises, particularly in the textile and apparel sector. In the absence of such a vital trade framework, Mauritian exports would be subjected to the Most-Favoured-Nation tariff rates where applicable, in addition to the new US reciprocal tariffs revised at 15% in August 2025. Mauritian products are henceforth subject to a new tariff regime when exporting to the United States, significantly undermining the price competitiveness of our exports in a highly cost-sensitive market. These tariff levels are placing Mauritius at a distinct disadvantage as compared to major competitors, such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, India and Cambodia, which have inherent lower production costs and benefit from economies of scale, allowing them to better absorb tariff increases. It is crucial to reiterate that AGOA expired on 30 September 2025. Nonetheless, let me reassure hon. Members of this House that Mauritius has been consistently and relentlessly advocating for a short-term renewal of AGOA preferences until a long-term trade and investment solution is worked out between the United States and Sub-Saharan African countries. Mauritius has spared no efforts to lobby for AGOA renewal at various levels, be it at the level of the African Diplomatic Corps in Washington and at bilateral level through diplomatic efforts. In September 2025, the African Diplomatic Corps forwarded letters to the US Congress reiterating the need for urgent action. The Government of Mauritius has capitalised on every opportunity it had during international forums to highlight the predicament of Sub-Saharan African countries. The future of AGOA remains under active discussion in the US Congress. However, following the recent Government shutdown in the US, matters remained at a standstill and thus AGOA renewal issues could not be pursued. I wish to place on record the seriousness of Government on this matter. I led the Mauritian delegation during the 17th United States–Africa Business Summit held in June 2025 in Angola, organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. During the Summit, I met with Ms C. Hamilton, Assistant United States Trade Representative and Mr T. Fitrell, Advisor to the US President, to advocate for a short-term 2-year renewal of AGOA, in its present form, as well as to reiterate the proposal for a Mauritius-US bilateral trade agreement or a regional umbrella agreement for African countries. Let me reiterate that Mauritius will be hosting the 18th US–Africa Business Summit in August 2026. As a premier trade-focused event, the Summit will highlight opportunities for partnerships, investment and stronger trade ties between the United States and Africa. This

165 event will provide the strategic platform to advocate firmly for both the renewal of AGOA and pursue discussions for a potential bilateral trade agreement between Mauritius and the United States. Members of this House would appreciate that I, together with my colleague, hon. Ramful, co-signed a letter addressed to His Excellency Ambassador Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative, on 14 November 2025, reiterating the readiness of Mauritius to enter into a bilateral agreement with the United States. In this regard, we have also requested for a meeting with the Ambassador as soon as possible to discuss the agreement. The meeting is likely to be held early next year. Furthermore, our Embassy in Washington will be participating in meetings from 09 to 12 December 2025, with representatives of AGOA- eligible countries and members of the US Congress in our continuing efforts to lobbying for the renewal of AGOA. RODRIGUES – NATIONAL HEALTH-SECTOR MODERNISATION PLAN – MODERN HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION