On the occasion of the 9th Political Dialogue between the Government of Mauritius and the European Union (EU), held on the 14th of November, the Ambassador of the EU to Mauritius, Vincent Degert presented a feasibility study conducted by Africa RISE to the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo. The study titled “Strategy for development of Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology sectors in Mauritius. Feasibility and Framework” focused on the strategic positioning of Mauritius as a pharmaceutical and biotechnology hub.
This report was prepared in response to a request from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology with the support of the EU Delegation of Mauritius. Africa RISE is a regional technical assistance facility funded by the European Union and implemented by Landell Mills in consortium with Adam Smith Europe, Imani Development and International Economics.
The Africa RISE team authoring the report consisted of Dr Ricardo Godinez Moreno (Lead Consultant & Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology Business Expert), Dr Mitra Dave Gunput, Expert for Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology sector, Dr Mitra Boolell, Expert on Regulatory aspects of Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology sector, Mrs. Madhevi Nilamber Ghoorah, Expert on Mauritian Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Ecosystem and Mr. Akshay Bholee, Junior consultant for research and data analysis. They were under the overall supervision of Mrs Manisha Dookhony Economics & Market Reform Key expert of Africa RISE.
Africa RISE’s team coordinated and supported a market analysis, legislative review and a skills gap analysis aiming to deliver a proposal for Mauritius to become a leading regional hub for bio-pharmaceutical research and manufacturing. The report highlighted three steppingstones to achieve this target, namely increasing African and international exchanges, leveraging on high level Mauritian diaspora expertise and, thirdly, proposing incentives for attracting international researchers. It established the critical success factors to support the development of the biotechnological and pharmaceutical sectors in Mauritius through the establishment of the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology.
The Africa RISE study showcases the advantages- in terms of partnerships, investment and exchange – for the Mauritius Biopharmaceutical Ecosystem to strengthen diplomatic programs, business missions and international technology offices with other African and non-African Countries. It lays emphasis on the need to leverage highly qualified Mauritian Diaspora for the creation of the foundation of the biopharmaceutical sector. Lastly, the Africa RISE study pinpoints the need for Mauritius to propose incentives for Public, Private and NGOs to leverage expats expertise, and enhance remote and flexible access to highly qualified human capital in order to enrich the Biopharmaceutical Ecosytem.
The team also made a presentation on their findings on the 15th of November to the EU ambassadors present in Mauritius. The final report was presented to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Ganoo at the Political Dialogue, where, the Minister recalled that in the wake of Covid 19, Mauritius announced its intention to set up a pharmaceutical and biotechnology institute. A budget of Rs 1 billion has been allocated for the development of this sector. The Final report for the Strategy for development of Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology sectors in Mauritius was also presented to the Prime Minister by Ambassador Degert on the 14th of November during the meeting session.
