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# [IOC] Extended EPA on Services: Joint Declaration by Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles with the European Union
- URL: https://businessoi.media/en/oi-ape-elargi-aux-services-declaration-commune-des-comores-madagascar-maurice-et-seychelles-avec-lunion-europeenne-en/
- Published: 2026-08-29T08:44:45.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-29T08:44:45.000Z
- Description: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles have adopted a joint declaration with the EU to extend their Economic Partnership Agreement to trade in services. A major step that reshapes commercial ties between the Indian Ocean and Europe.
- Author: Emmanuel TAOCHY
- Tags: Comores, Madagascar, Maurice, Seychelles, Économie, Investissement, Flash de mi-journée, #en

**The four Indian Ocean islands party to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union — Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles — have adopted a joint declaration to extend this agreement to trade in services. A historic step that reshapes the rules of commercial engagement between the Indian Ocean archipelago and the world's largest single market.**

## From Goods to Services: A Qualitative Leap

Since their initial signing, regional EPAs have primarily governed trade in goods between ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) and the European Union. The extension to services — tourism, finance, logistics, transport, business services — marks a major evolution. This is precisely what Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles formalized through this joint declaration with Brussels.

For businesses in the region, this opens concrete opportunities: easier access to the European market for service providers, stronger guarantees for European investors in the Indian Ocean, and a harmonized regulatory framework for fast-growing sectors such as digital services, offshore finance, and ecotourism.

## Réunion: Left Outside the Agreement

As a French territory and EU outermost region, Réunion is not party to this EPA — it is de facto subject to EU internal market rules. Some analysts suggest Réunion could be « the biggest loser » of this deal: its service companies will compete with operators from neighboring islands who gain preferential access to the European market without EU regulatory constraints.

## Why It Matters

The European Union is the first or second trading partner of each of the four signatory islands. Extending the EPA to services could multiply investment and trade flows in high-value-added sectors. For Mauritius in particular — a regional financial hub — this agreement could reinforce its position as a platform between Africa and Europe. For Madagascar, it offers international exposure for a services sector still in its early stages but full of potential. A declaration to watch closely, as technical negotiations remain to be finalized.

*Sources: Témoignages.re, Zinfos974.com, Africtelegraph.com, Studio Sifaka, L'Express.mg.*