Edits & Curated by
Vishal Bhidu
The cabinet meeting held on July 3 took noted the recent participation of Prime Minister Dr. Navin Ramgoolam in the 50th Anniversary of Seychelles Independence celebration, where he discussed with Head of State Patrick Herminie several challenges facing the Small Island Developing States.
Both PM Ramgoolam and Seychelles President Herminie engaged on underlying cooperation projects such as the Joint Management Area of the Continental Shelf along with relations across Blue Economy, Tourism, and Financial Services, and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the Renewable Energy, Education and Health sectors.
Both sides agreed on likely collaboration in relation to mutual imports of fossil fuels to alleviate the pressure on the respective national economies.
Present at the ceremony, Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, had a meeting with his Mauritius counterpart Dr. Ramgoolam on finalising the Line of Credit of Rs20.5 billion sanctioned by India to fund several mutually agreed projects.
Premier Ramgoolam also sought Indian support for the digitalisation of Government services, the enhancement of maritime security for surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone and port modernisation and development. While discussion was also held on the Mauritius-India Enhanced Strategic Partnership and the shared commitment to continue working closely for mutual growth, peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.
Moreover, the Cabinet also took note that Dr. Ramgoolam will chair an Economic Committee of Cabinet for the finalisation of the Finance Bill, expected to hold its first meeting on July 8.
On another count, two Memoranda of Understanding have been agreed upon between the Ministry of Health and Wellness and CK Birla Healthcare Private Ltd (CK Birla Hospital), Gurgaon, India, and the Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI), Kolkata, India, respectively. The agreement with CK Birla Hospital and CMRI aims to strengthen specialised healthcare services through a structured collaboration, provide for capacity building to local healthcare professionals, technical assistance for upgrading local facilities, and access to advanced treatments not available in Mauritius.
A Letter of Cooperation was also inked between the Higher Education Commission and the University of London, United Kingdom, to establish a framework for collaboration between the Higher Education Commission and the University of London in the areas of transnational education and international micro-credentials. The initiative is designed to support learning, upskilling and reskilling, enhance employability while at the same time, globalizing the higher education sector on the island while facilitating access to globally recognised learning opportunities.
The conclusion of negotiations in terms of the Deepened Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between four Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA-4), Union of the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Republic of Seychelles- and the European Union (EU) was taken note. The culmination of negotiations took place on June 10 in Mauritius, where a Joint Announcement was inked.
The Deepened EPA modernises the existing agreement by introducing new disciplines in areas such as services, investment, digital trade, sustainable development, competition policy, customs and trade facilitation.
Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the tenth Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting on the implementation of projects under the Digital Transformation Blueprint 2025-2029. The Committee took note of the progress pertaining to the Fleet Management System; Cashless Electronic Ticketing System; Online Payment of Fines and Digital Driving Licence; Renewal of Motor Vehicle Licence; Mobile App for Parking System; Open Education Management Information System; Services at the Registrar General Department; E-Social Security Project; Free Internet Connection; E-Health System; Online Data Repository, among others.
