February 8, 2024
The Indian Ocean Rim ADR Symposium 2024 was held at the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, drawing a diverse audience of industry leaders, legal experts, and representatives of private and public sector organisations on Thursday 8 February 2024.
Organised by the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), with the support of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and with the Mediation and Arbitration Center of Mauritius (MARC) in the forefront, the symposium aimed to explore how mediation and arbitration can contribute to facilitating investment in the region by improving certainty, efficiency and competitiveness in resolving disputes within the financial landscape.
Mrs. Namita Jagarnath Hardowar, President of the MCCI and MARC, stressed ADR’s importance in reinforcing Mauritius’ status as a Regional Hub of Excellence for ADR. She noted, “This symposium marks a crucial juncture for Mauritius as we seek to play a larger role in ADR regionally, aligning with our economic aspirations to expand our International Financial Centre (IFC) and establish Mauritius as a hub for ADR excellence.“
The guest of honour, the Honourable Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, former Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, emphasised ADR’s transformative potential in bolstering investor confidence and positioning Mauritius as a premier investment gateway to Africa. He stated, “Investors need certainty, stability and predictability. This is the reason for which when there is a clear process for ADR mechanism, investors feel comforted to use the International Financial Centre.”
The Secretary General of the IORA acknowledged the significant progress made through the Indian Ocean Rim Association Dispute Resolution Centre Project and stated, “The IORA Dispute Resolution Centre Project stands as a testament to our commitment to collaboration, peace, and prosperity. By strengthening our dispute resolution mechanisms, we fortify the foundations of our shared vision for the Indian Ocean region“.
Me Alexis Merle, Registrar of MARC, highlighted the collaborative efforts in fostering understanding and cooperation in ADR across all 23 IORA member states. “This symposium is not just a convergence of minds; it is a testament to the collective commitment towards fostering understanding, collaboration, and innovation in the realm of Alternative Dispute Resolution. As we stand at the threshold of this significant event, we recognize the transformative potential of mediation and arbitration in shaping the future of legal and business landscapes, both regionally and globally.”, he remarked.
The Indian Ocean Rim ADR Symposium 2024 reflects Mauritius’ commitment to fostering a conducive environment for dispute resolution and investment facilitation. With insightful discussions and strategic collaborations, the Symposium aims to position Mauritius as a hub for international arbitration and mediation, strengthening its role as a leading financial services destination in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond. It featured a series of panel discussions bringing together world-renowned experts to examine the challenges and opportunities in ADR in the Indian Ocean region.
The first panel focused on mediation as a means of resolving disputes and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the IORA region, moderated by Alexis Merle, Registrar of the MARC. Panellists, including Pr. Francis Law, Chairman of the International Dispute Resolution and Risk Management Institute, Hong Kong, Pr. Rajesh Sharma, Associate Professor, RMIT University, Australia and Farid Karachiwala, Partner at JSA Advocates and Solicitors, India. They shared their perspectives on the increasing importance of mediation in the global business climate.
The second panel was on investment disputes and arbitration, moderated by Neeti Sachdeva, Registrar of the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA). Panellists included experts like Arish Bharucha, Partner at Howard Kennedy LLP, London, Joel Lambert, Head of Legal at Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd, Mauritius, and Natasha Behary-Paray, Senior Associate at ENSafrica, Mauritius. They examined emerging trends in investment dispute resolution and emphasised the importance of a robust legal framework to promote investor confidence.
The third panel was moderated by Madhvendra Singh, CEO of Gujarat Maritime Cluster, India, this discussion explored maritime disputes in the IORA region and emerging trends. Panellists, such as Simon Milnes KC, Barrister-at-Law at Twenty Essex, London, Ashwin Shanker, Advocate at the Chambers of George Rebello, India, and Dhaval Vussonji, Managing Partner at Dhaval Vussonji & Associates, India, offered insights into the unique challenges that the maritime sector faces.
The last panel was led by Timothy Cooke, Partner at Reed Smith, Singapore, this panel addressed hot topics in ADR. Panellists, including Jonathan Choo, Managing Director at Vantage Chambers, Singapore, Ian Clemmence, Partner at PwC, London and Pierre Burger, Director at Werksmans Attorneys, South Africa, discussed about the importance of capacity building in the region, and the latest trends in valuation methods for damages in international arbitration.
Prior to the ADR, the MCCI and MARC management had the opportunity to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and the Attorney General, Honourable Maneesh Gobin. Click here to read more.
From Left to Right: Mrs Sarada Moothoosamy, Head of Finance and Management, MCCI, Mr Charles Harel, Vice-President, MCCI, His Excellency Dr Salman Farisi, Secretary General of the IORA, Me Alexis Merle, Registrar of the MARC, Mrs Namita Jagarnath Hardowar, President of the MCCI, the Honourable Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, former Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Dr Drishtysingh Ramdenee, Secretary General, MCCI and Mrs Rooma Narrainen, Head of Advocacy, MCCI.
