OREANDA-NEWS. The Government of Mauritius, the British High Commission, African Financial Learning Access (AFLA), The Professional Learning Centre (TPLC) and Fitch Learning are pleased to announce the formation of a strategic partnership created to establish Mauritius as the leading finance education hub in Africa.

Created as part of the Economic Development Vision 2030, the partnership will work to deliver world-class education and training, elevate knowledge and enhance conduct in the finance sector, and ultimately support the objectives of the Government of Mauritius to develop and enhance the financial services sector in Mauritius and strengthen links with its African partners.

A five year plan, the partnership was formalised during the official launch in Port Louis on Friday November 6 with AFLA, TPLC and Fitch Learning committed to providing 28 public courses starting in January through to December 2016.

AFLA, TPLC and Fitch Learning will engage with banks to customise learning solutions to specifically address the skills gaps and enhance the strategic value of their workforce.

In addition, Fitch Learning will work with banks and education partners to offer unrestricted access to their digital learning solutions for the CFA Programme, CISI and their unique Certificate in Quantitative Finance qualifications.

Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius, said: "I am delighted to welcome Fitch Learning, with the collaboration of the African Financial Learning Access and The Professional Learning Centre of the Harel Mallac group, to Mauritius. We have a committed vision to be 'the financial hub' in this part of the world. With their wide global exposure in Leadership, Learning and Development we may only rejoice with this laudable initiative of Fitch Learning to set base in Mauritius and, working with its partners, to empower our financial sector with the appropriate skills, training, solutions and most importantly the consolidation of the credibility and quality of our financial services deliverables."

Jonathan Drew, British High Commissioner to Mauritius, said: "The British High Commission is pleased to support this important partnership and witness the active support of the Mauritian Government. It encapsulates our joint desire to build opportunities for all Mauritians. We now have over 25 awarding bodies operating in Mauritius and are proud of all our institutions. We continue to partner with the Mauritian government to strengthen and help grow the sector, whether through education fairs, sponsoring a review by the UK's Quality Assurance Agency or helping to encourage and support quality institutions such as Fitch Learning to set up in Mauritius."

Deven Maulloo, AFLA Chairman, said: "With such prized partners - Fitch Learning and TPLC of the Harel Mallac Group - we are ready to empower Mauritius with the best training and education in the financial services industry. We shall probe further towards the region and on mainland Africa to create a real dynamism among all players and stakeholders of the financial services clusters, and make of Mauritius a financial hub of excellence."

Antoine Harel, Chairman of Harel Mallac Group, said: "This step is inspired by the Group's innovative approach to address great challenges in very diversified sectors, and we are delighted to be partners with Fitch Learning and AFLA to extend the horizons of the Group in one of the most promising sectors for the future of the country, namely the financial services industry. The Group will bring all its know-how and its network here and on the African continent to achieve this great project for training and very niche education".

Andreas Karaiskos, CEO of Fitch Learning, said: "Fitch Learning is honoured and delighted to be working in partnership with the Government of Mauritius, the British High Commission, AFLA and TPLC of the Harel Mallac Group to help grow and expand Mauritius' well regarded financial services industry. It is our first strategic partnership of this kind and we look forward to working with our strategic partners to establish Mauritius as a truly global learning centre of excellence."