Patrice Marie, New President of the MCCI: "In Times of Crisis, We Must Act Quickly and Seize Opportunities"
Patrice Marie was elected president of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the 177th general assembly in Port-Louis on Thursday, March 26. Leading the IBL group, he takes the helm in an uncertain economic climate. In light of international crises, he calls for increased agility, innovation, and enhanced dialogue between the private sector and authorities.
The newly appointed president of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Patrice Marie, acknowledged the complexity of the current situation. "I am taking on the presidency in a very challenging context, but certainly, in times of crisis, there are also opportunities," he stated. Confronted with these challenges, he emphasized the need for Mauritian businesses to adapt quickly. "Businesses must remain agile, innovate, and look toward international markets.
The Chamber of Commerce is here to support businesses through this transition," he asserted.
According to him, Mauritius possesses significant strengths that need to be better leveraged. "When I speak of agility, we should capitalize on our stability, our strategic position, and our adaptability. We can be the bridge for the African continent with all the opportunities this situation presents." The new president also advocates for quicker, more coordinated action. "We must act quickly and take more actions." He highlighted the importance of strengthened dialogue with the authorities.
In this context, the MCCI aims to play an active role by formulating proposals. "Our role at the chamber is to provide proposals based on the realities of businesses, to contribute to effective and applicable policies." Patrice Marie calls for collective mobilization. "We are all in the same boat, and we must unite if we want to succeed." He prioritizes strengthening public-private coordination, enhancing business competitiveness, and supporting SMEs in a changing environment.
The outgoing president of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Charles Harel, provided a positive assessment of his term, marked by moments he describes as "extremely enriching" despite a challenging context. He particularly mentioned the celebrations for the institution's 175th anniversary and a government change that required new approaches. "We are merely facilitators," he reminded. He stressed the importance of working together with authorities and businesses. In light of international tensions, he brought attention to rising costs and called for strategies to secure supply chains. "It is by working together that we will emerge stronger," he said.
