Indian Ocean Commission

Description: Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

In 1982 was created the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), an African regional institution formed by the Comoros, Reunion Island (France), Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles.

Observer Countries: China, India, Japan, International Organization of La Francophonie, United Nations, European Union

The main objective of the Indian Ocean Commission is to support the sustainable growth in the Western Indian Ocean Islands through the regional integration.

The key activity areas of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) are:

1. Regional Trade and Tourism Promotion
2. Environmental protection
3. Cultural heritage encouragement

The Secretary-General manages IOC (Jean-Claude de l’Estrac). The Council of Ministers is the responsible for the political and strategic orientations.

1. Population: 25.5 million people
2. Area: 595,000 square kilometres
3. Exclusive Economic Zones: 5.5 million square kilometres
4. Budget: 125 million EUR.
5. The European Union is the main financial partner of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)
6. Total projects: 44
7. The headquarters of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) are in Mauritius.

The objective of the Regional Integration Support Programme is to encourage the regional economic integration in the region. In this programme also participates:

1. COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa)
2. EAC (East African Community)
3. IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development).

Preferential Trade Regime of the Indian Ocean Commission:

1. Madagascar and Mauritius have implemented the Preferential Trade Regime of the Indian Ocean Commission
2. Currently, customs duties for those products that meet the Rules of origin of the Indian Ocean Commission are eliminated

The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) belongs to the East African Economic Area (African Civilisation).

Mauritian Trade Agreements: India, Pakistan, COMESA, SADC, COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite, Indian-Ocean Rim Association, AGOA, COMESA-U.S., Africa-European Union...