Recent studies have highlighted the role of regional economic blocs in fostering economic integration within Africa. However, these studies often lack a nuanced focus on specific countries or regions. This study aims to explore the impact of such blocs from the perspective of Mauritius. This study employs a comprehensive survey questionnaire sent to key stakeholders including government officials, private sector representatives, and academic experts. Data analysis includes thematic coding of responses and statistical comparison across different economic bloc memberships. The findings indicate that Mauritius predominantly engages with the European Union (EU) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), accounting for a majority of its bilateral trade and investment deals, with proportions exceeding 70% in both sectors. This study underscores the importance of regional blocs like EU and SAARC in shaping Mauritius' economic landscape. It suggests that future research should consider more diverse participation from other potential blocs to provide a more comprehensive understanding. Policy-makers are advised to actively engage with these regional blocs to ensure continued favorable trade relations and investment opportunities for Mauritius, while also exploring the potential of joining or forming new blocs that could benefit its economy.
Mhlongo et al. (Sat,) studied this question.