The British High Commissioner to Mauritius, H.E. Charlotte Pierre, is delighted to welcome a delegation from the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), the UK Government’s centre of expertise for infrastructure and major projects, that has delivered high value projects in the UK such as Crossrail, one of the biggest civil engineering projects ever undertaken in Europe.
The IPA’s mission to Mauritius will make recommendations to the Mauritian Government to enhance the delivery of infrastructure projects and to assess opportunities for increased private sector involvement in public infrastructure delivery. The IPA will also conduct research on the public infrastructure development system in Mauritius, including on existing policy frameworks, governance, processes and standards.
This visit follows the signing of the UK-Mauritius Strategic Trade Partnership (STP) on 17 April, a landmark agreement between the UK and Mauritius. The STP will help boost trade and investment between our nations across a range of priority sectors including financial and professional services, waste management and green economy, education, cyber, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology and agritech. Sharing of knowledge and expertise is a key component of the STP. The IPA’s mission marks the first deliverable of this important partnership.
During this visit, UK experts from the IPA have had a series of high-level engagements with senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, the Ministry of National Infrastructure and Community Development, the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, and the Ministry of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management. They also shared UK best practice on infrastructure project preparation, appraisal and approval, and contract management. Technical discussions focussed on a range of issues including project delivery frameworks, procurement processes and Public-Private Partnerships.
‘The signing of this MOU comes at a very opportune time as the Government of the Republic of Mauritius is working on the implementation of key projects in the most efficient and swift manner. This is crucial to sustain the economic momentum and ensure a robust and sustainable growth on the medium and long term. We are actually committed to increase the ratio of investment to GDP, currently standing at 19.8%. With these objectives in mind, a well-articulated infrastructure programme is indeed vital to the strong rebound of our economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is precisely why we are today teaming up with the IPA, the UK Government Centre of Expertise for infrastructure and major projects. This hands-on cooperation will enable us to improve our toolkit to develop affordable, credible and viable infrastructure proposals as well as to deliver key infrastructure projects within agreed timelines and budgets. In a nutshell, the aim of the assistance provided under this agreement is for the IPA to deliver strategic support to the relevant Mauritian authorities to improve their infrastructure development frameworks and project delivery capabilities in the public sector,’ said Dr the Hon. Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development.
‘Efficient and resilient public infrastructure is critical to economic growth and to people’s welfare. As a committed partner, the UK Government is proud to support Mauritius’ ambitions to enhance its public infrastructure delivery while also achieving its net zero transition. This week’s visit is one of the many steps we are taking to help achieve these shared ambitions.
The IPA is renowned around the world for the excellence of its expertise in major national infrastructure projects, ensuring major infrastructure is delivered to a high standard and on time. It has provided extensive advice to overseas governments since its creation. I am proud that they will be working closely with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development and other key Mauritian agencies to deliver high-quality public infrastructure projects. Not only will this help bolster economic resilience, but will also contribute towards job creation and deliver climate priorities, including the transition to renewable energy. We know that in 2019, the construction industry accounted for 22% of Mauritius’ labour force and contributed to about 10% of GDP. We also know that Mauritius is seen in the region and across the African continent as a big ocean nation and a model of modernity and sustainability. The UK Government firmly believes in Mauritius’ potential to be a beacon in the region and looks forward to deepening its already excellent partnerships with Mauritius,’ the British High Commissioner said.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Infrastructure and Projects Authority
The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) was established by the UK Treasury and the UK Cabinet Office in 2016 to advise Government on the long-term infrastructure needs of the UK and provide commercial expertise to support major projects and programmes. The IPA focusses on enabling greater private sector investment in infrastructure and the improvement of the UK Government’s long-term planning, prioritisation and delivery of infrastructure. IPA leads the work within the UK Government to deliver the actions set out in the National Infrastructure Delivery Plan working with central and local government, local enterprise partnerships, regulators, investors and the infrastructure industry. The IPA also supports Treasury ministers on the PFI/PPP programme, developing and publishing key policy and guidance materials. It also provides support and assurance to those undertaking major projects and programmes and helps to build stronger infrastructure delivery capability across Government.
About the IPA’s international work
The UK Government has a strong reputation internationally for innovation in public and private sector approaches in many areas of infrastructure delivery, stretching back many decades.
The IPA’s international work focuses on sharing UK experience on PPP policy and programme delivery with overseas governments as well as helping to ensure that IPA is current with international best practice on infrastructure long-term planning, prioritisation, financing and delivery. As a jointly owned HM Treasury and Cabinet Office unit, the IPA focusses only on the public sector, supporting public sector authorities, PPP Units, development banks and multilateral organisations around the world providing strategic advice and support from a public sector perspective.
