Cross-border Payments: The Maldives has gone live with a real-time payment corridor to India after integrating its instant system Favara with UPI, letting people transfer in Maldivian rufiyaa to UPI-enabled Indian bank accounts in seconds via mobile banking (initially through Bank of Maldives and Maldives Islamic Bank). Mauritius Link: UPI merchant payments are already operating in Mauritius, and the new corridor signals more cross-Indian Ocean remittance and consumer-payment growth into the second half of 2026. Port & Maritime Security (Mauritius): IRClass Academy delivered a three-day Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) training in Mauritius for port and maritime professionals, boosting practical readiness for international security requirements. Retail Expansion (Mauritius): Krispy Kreme signed to bring its franchise model to Mauritius, targeting about 10 outlets over five years. Mining & Value Chains (region): Zimbabwe’s Mine Entra 2026 is underway with higher exhibitor numbers and a focus on mining value chains, with Mauritius listed among foreign exhibitors. Finance & Tech (Mauritius-facing): Investec selected Infosys Finacle on Microsoft Azure to modernise banking across South Africa, the UK, Mauritius and Channel Islands. Shipping Environment: Kenya Ports Authority warns Middle East conflict rerouting is increasing underwater ocean noise risk across the Western Indian Ocean, including Mauritius.