Africa-Press – Mauritius. Research and innovation play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the country and it is in this context that the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) is collaborating with several institutions in Mauritius and Rodrigues in various sectors.
This statement was made by the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Darsanand Balgobin, on 27 July 2022, during the launching of a two day-conference “Les Assises de la Recherche et de l’Innovation- RodInov 2022” held at the Cotton Bay Hotel.
He was on an official visit in Rodrigues on 27 and 28 July 2022. Minister Balgobin highlighted that since two years economic growth has been impacted due to unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Many countries, he said, went into recession and prices of food commodities are soaring up on the international market. Mauritius and Rodrigues will have to work together to find solutions in the face of these challenges, he underlined.
He recalled that Budget 2022-2023 laid emphasis on the socio-economic aspect for Rodrigues in a bid to promote development and progress and enhance the quality of life of citizens.
To this end, one of the key measures to boost business opportunities and promote entrepreneurial innovation is to reinforce collaboration with the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the MRIC, he underlined.
Speaking about “Les Assises de la Recherche et de l’Innovation- RodInov 2022”, he highlighted that it is a platform that will enable national dialogue on the development and the implementation of emerging innovations.
It will also help to build a solid foundation to set up strategies on the national level for research and innovation in Rodrigues, he added. He indicated that recommendations of the forum will be included in the National Road Map on research and innovation to better plan strategies and projects for Rodrigues.
He underlined that the Rodrigues MRIC received Rs 5 million under the Rodrigues Research and Innovation Scheme for innovative projects. Six projects have already benefitted from the scheme, he said.
He added that a second call for proposal will be launched and another Rs 5 million will be injected in a bid to further development in marine and coastal resources as well as the ICT sector.
Furthermore, Minister Balgobin spoke of Governmental measures for Rodrigues including the consolidation of the fisheries and agricultural sectors, modernisation of port activities, addressing issues related to water supply, access to education, and harnessing the potential of renewable energy.
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