Book of Abstracts: Trade and FDI Facilitation in the IORA Region
It is with great pleasure that we present the Book of Abstracts of the International Conference on International Trade and Investment (ICITI 2025), held on 25–26 September 2025 at the Voilà Hotel Bagatelle, Mauritius, under the theme “Trade and FDI Facilitation in the IORA Region.”
ICITI 2025 was jointly organised by the University of Mauritius (UoM), the UoM WTO Chair Programme (WcP), the Centre of Excellence for International Trade and Investment (CEITI), and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The conference provided a timely and important platform for scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to engage in meaningful dialogue on contemporary issues shaping international trade and investment within the Indian Ocean Rim Association region.
The conference featured 43 paper presentations, reflecting a wide range of theoretical and empirical perspectives. The selected papers addressed critical and emerging themes, including Intra-IORA Trade, Trade Facilitation, Trade and the Environment, Foreign Direct Investment, Digital Trade, Trade in Services, Regional Trade Integration and Development, and Investment Facilitation. Collectively, these contributions highlight the evolving nature of trade and investment dynamics and underscore the importance of regional cooperation in promoting sustainable and inclusive economic development.
This Book of Abstracts showcases the diversity, depth, and quality of research presented at ICITI 2025. It is our hope that the ideas and findings shared herein will stimulate further research, inform policy discussions, and contribute to enhanced trade and investment facilitation across the IORA region and beyond.
We extend our sincere appreciation to all authors, reviewers, session chairs, and participants for their valuable contributions, as well as to the organising and supporting institutions for their commitment to the success of ICITI 2025.
On behalf of the Organising Committee
Conference Co-Chairs
