Africa-Press – Mauritius. The various ministers took stock of the situation in their sectors in Parliament on Friday and talked about the planned construction sites. Here is a concentrate of their interventions on the government program 2025-2029.
Jyoti Jeetun, Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, called for a revival for Mauritius, marking the end of an era of political, social and economic stagnation. Inspired by her personal journey, she stressed the need to rebuild the foundations of the country, faced with major challenges: failing infrastructure, the cost of living crisis, the flight of talent and institutions in loss of confidence. *«The government promises concrete actions, prioritizing economic recovery, the fight against drugs and the restoration of public trust. A monitoring committee will ensure the implementation of the 2025-2029 programme, with clear performance indicators. Economic stabilization is urgent, especially in the face of the’warning of Moody’s on the country rating.» *
The restored Ministry of Economic Planning will develop a long-term vision for 2050, with a national planning framework ensuring efficiency, transparency and inclusion. Economic diversification and’ innovation will be essential to maintain competitiveness, especially in financial services, today’ main contributor to gross domestic product. The Minister also focused on the retention of talent, the’improvement of the business climate and the fight against inefficient bureaucracy.
Minister of’Industry, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives, Aadil Ameer Meea, said he inherited’a precarious situation where the industrial and manufacturing sectors were weakened by a decade of mismanagement under the previous government. Since 2014, the country has experienced an erosion of its industrial base with a significant decline in the number of’s exporting and local enterprises, a decrease in manufacturing employment (from 100,000 to less than 85,000) and a drop in exports of 30% due to the depreciation of the rupee.
The Minister stressed the urgency of revitalising the manufacturing sector through structural reforms and enhanced dialogue with stakeholders. He announced the 2025’industrie Conference to develop sustainable growth strategies, criticizing the lack of export promotion under the previous government and proposing a redesign of the’Economic Development Board (EDB) to better support’productive investment. Regarding SMEs, it plans to revise the EMS Act 2017 to facilitate’ access to finance and encourage’innovation. The cooperative sector will also be reformed, with measures to improve governance and digital’integration.
Marie Roxana Collet, Member of Parliament for Rodrigues, stressed the importance of the 2025-2029 government programme, emphasising the need for an inclusive development that leaves no one behind. She recalled that Rodrigues contributes significantly to the blue’ economy of the Republic. Highlighting the need for structuring projects for Rodrigues as the 21st constituency, she called on the central government to increase support. Among her priorities, she emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, transparency and accountability. The’equitable access to the’eau is a crucial issue for her, claiming that the Rodrigues must be able to «live and not survive».
She also criticized the long lines of’ waiting for public services, including’access to’avion tickets, administrative services and economic aid. She urged the restoration of the dignity and confidence of the people of Rodriguez, and called for’unity and national solidarity to combat poverty, unemployment, discrimination, crime and corruption. She highlighted the economic development of Rodrigues through the’enlargement of the’airport, a second optical cable and the’innovation in education and health.
«Zombies»
In his speech, the deputy Franco Quirin highlighted the extent of the drug problem in Mauritius, a scourge that ravages youth and destroys entire families. He emphasized the proliferation of psychoactive substances, accessible and cheap, turning consumers into «zombies». According to Afrobarometer (2024), drugs are perceived as the second most urgent problem in the country after the cost of living. He warned of the rise of drug trafficking, which has become a parallel economy where organized gangs even exploit minors.
Drug seizures by police between 2023 and 2024 S’ amount to more than Rs 1.4 billion, but the actual amount in circulation would be much higher. Franco Quirin denounced the lack of’efficiency of the’ordering forces and called for increased repression, including the strengthening of anti-drug units and armed patrols if necessary. He welcomed the upcoming creation of’a national agency against drugs and called for listening to social workers. Finally, he proposed a national debate and a possible referendum on the decriminalization of cannabis as an alternative solution.
Foreign Minister Ritish Ramful denounced the mismanagement of public funds under the previous government. He revealed several instances of waste, including housing’a high commissioner in a hotel for 11 months instead of’a secure apartment, resulting in a cost of Rs 2.7 million. In addition, a government property in Washington, intended for sale to finance a new premises, remained unoccupied, costing Rs 18 million in alternative rents and suffering a 30% loss in value. In Paris and London, diplomatic residences were abandoned for renovations never done, resulting in excessive rents (Rs 8.9 million and Rs 24.2 million respectively). In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a new diplomatic building of Rs 238 million remains unusedthe government had to pay Rs 8.4 million to house the’ambassador elsewhere.
Abusive appointments
The minister also denounced abusive appointments under the previous government, with’ambassadors positions created only for relatives, sometimes duplicated in diplomatic missions. He criticized irregularities such as the unauthorized use of diplomatic vehicles and abuse of leave. Finally, he presented the vision of the new government to strengthen regional’integration and investment through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African free trade area.
Dhaneshwar Damry junior ministerat Finance, expressed concerns about macroeconomic stability and economic growth, while severely criticizing the previous government for putting public finances at risk. He accused the previous’administration of squandering the’tax space and’ of manipulating economic data. He explained that the current government is taking corrective measures in four key areas: fiscal consolidation, reduction of public debt, control of food inflation and management of public enterprises, and the management of public sector enterprises. He highlighted the failures of’State enterprises that have increased the pressure on public debt. He also spoke about the importance of returning to performance-based management with key performance indicators (KPIs) for public sectorslike the’EDB and the Mauritius Revenue Authority. He recalled that the country had lost its leading position in Africa in terms of ease of doing business and that’ this situation had to be rectified. Finally, Dhaneshwar Damry addressed international policy challenges, including Mauritius’ suspension from SADC and the deterioration of Mauritius’ position in relation to’India.
Deputy Farhad Aumeer spoke about the immediate measures of the new government to avoid a deterioration in the economic ratings of Mauritius, stressing the need to strengthen good governance, and restore confidence in financial and judicial institutions. The member also called for a relentless fight against corruption, citing several scandals, and stressed the creation of selection committees to enhance transparency.
In the area of health, he denounced the management of care in hospitals, especially in Rodrigues, and called for reforms to improve the conditions of treatment, especially for pregnant women and mothers. He also advocated for strict regulations regarding medical entities, promising treatments to the’ abroad.
Parliament was adjourned to Friday, February 21 at 15 a.m.
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