Boopen Seetanah is a Professor at the University of Mauritius

Boopen Seetanah is a Professor at the University of Mauritius (UoM) with research interest in tourism and transport, international trade and finance, and development economics. He is currently the Co-Chair of the WTO Chair (UoM) and the Director of Research at the International Centre for Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality at the UoM.

He is also the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Management. Boopen is an editorial board member and a reviewer for numerous highly rated journals. He has been consulting with the government and numerous international organizations including the UNEP, UNDP, UNCTAD, World Bank, UNECA, WTO, ADB, ILO, and RMCE among others.

Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur, University of Mauritius

Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur is an Associate Professor in Economics at the University of Mauritius. She is currently the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. She is also an Extraordinary Associate Professor at North-West University. Her research areas focus on international and development economics. She works on international trade, labour market, poverty, social protection, social policies, climate change, and gender.

She has published extensively in high-impact factor journals. She is currently heading the Pole of Applied Socio-Economic Research and Analysis and is also the co-chair of the WTO Chairs Programme at the University of Mauritius. She has been involved in various research and consultancy projects internationally and locally with Ministries, NGOs and private institutions.

Dr Mzukisi Qobo, South Africa's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland

Dr Mzukisi Qobo was appointed in November 2023 as South Africa's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Dr Qobo has 25 years of experience in the public service, academia, and policy think tanks, including as the Head of the Wits School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Ambassador Qobo consulted for the World Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Between 2019 and 2024, he was a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council which advised President Cyril Ramaphosa on economic policy and the economic recovery plan.

Dr Qobo was a facilitator of the Agriculture and Agroprocessing Masterplan. As chief director for Trade Policy Review at the Department of Trade and Industry, between 2007 and 2010, Dr Qobo oversaw the formulation of South Africa's trade policy. He has also served on several boards in the private and public sectors, including on the Board of Tutwa Consulting Group. Dr Qobo holds a PhD from the University of Warwick, UK, and is a published author, notably of the book The Political Economy of China-US Relations: African Agency and Digital Futures.

Georgina Ragaven - Director at Tutwa Consulting and Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Advocate

Georgina Ragaven is a prominent Mauritian based entrepreneur with extensive expertise in health, fitness, wellness, and training. For over a decade, she has contributed to various media outlets and worked as a consultant, coach, and mentor for entrepreneurs. Georgina provides professional services in public relations, networking, project management, and corporate social responsibility for both local and international organizations.

She has significant experience in education, having trained teachers and developed programs in leadership and entrepreneurship, and is a registered trainer with the Mauritius Qualifications Authority. As a champion for women's empowerment, Georgina has served as an advisor to multiple government ministries and is actively involved in various committees and organizations, including the National Empowerment Foundation, the National Women Entrepreneur Council, and the Rotary Club of Phoenix.

Georgina founded the NGO WE Empower and was nominated Ambassador for SWANITI, pioneering the Time Banking concept in Mauritius. She has received several awards, including the Points of Light Award from Queen Elizabeth II for her leadership and voluntary efforts. Georgina is frequently invited to speak as a role model for aspiring leaders.

Georgina Ragaven is associated with the following institutions:

• National Empowerment Foundation (NEF) - Director and Chairperson of the HR Committee, and Finance Committee
• National Women Entrepreneur Council - Board Member
• WIN Ltd (Women in Networking) - Board Member
• WILAT (Women in Logistics and Transport) - Board Member
• Rotary Club of Phoenix - Past President and Board Member
• MIOD (Mauritius Institute of Directors) - Member
• AMFCE (Association of Management, Finance, and Corporate Executives) - Member
• Soroptimist International - Member
• Alshaams Women's Association - Board Member
• Women Directors Forum - Board Member
• Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE) - Trainer and Lecturer
• TUTWA Consulting - Director
• Various NGOs and shelters - Collaborator
• SWANITI (international NGO) - Ambassador

Honourable Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade (Mauritius)

Honourable Dhananjay Ramful has served as a barrister for more than 23 years at the Bar of Mauritius. During his career, he also served as: Senior Legal Adviser, Independent Commission Against Corruption; Chairperson of the Commission for Conciliation; Deputy Chairperson of the Motor Vehicle Insurance Arbitration Committee; and Chairperson of the Human Resources Development Council. He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade on 22 November 2024.

• A Member of the Mauritian Parliament since 2014, Hon. Ramful was re-elected for a third consecutive mandate in November 2024.
• The Ministry is the executive arm of the Government for the implementation of the foreign policy of Mauritius.
• The Ministry is also in charge of International trade and trade-related matters flowing from Membership of International Organisations and Regional, Bilateral, Plurilateral and Multilateral Trade Agreements.
• The Ministry is also responsible for the portfolios of: Regional Integration, Patents and Trademarks and Industrial Property. Matters concerning Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals also fall under the purview of the Ministry.

Minister's view on participation in Conference:

"This Conference will no doubt give a boost to the economic diplomacy of Mauritius, particularly on the development and consolidation of our relationships with our partners in Africa and the Indian Ocean region, as well as the operation of the African Continental Free Trade Area."