Ghana and Mauritius on Friday, decided to establish a Permanent Investment Forum and also agreed that their governments should be facilitators in investments.

This is to enable the private sectors of the two countries to undertake meaningful investment projects for their mutual benefit.

These were contained in a joint communiqu? issued at the Government House in Port Louis at the end of a four-day state visit to Mauritius by President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, signed the 10-point communiqu? for Ghana while Mr Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Co-operation signed for Mauritius.

President Kufuor's Delegation held working session with the Mauritians during the visit at which they discussed Financial Services; Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Agriculture.

Other sectors discussed were Garment and Textiles; Energy; Tourism and Fishing.

The two countries also agreed that in the shortest possible time, negotiations should be finalised for the conclusion of the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the process for the ratification of the Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments should be expedited.

Both countries reviewed their commitments to the African Union (AU) and the objectives of the New Partnership For Africa's Development (NEPAD) and agreed that it was the appropriate framework for the advancement of the socio-economic development of the continent.

President John Agyekum Kufuor extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth to visit Ghana.