A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology Ltd. and the Department for International Trade of the United Kingdom (UK) marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation between Mauritius and the United Kingdom (UK) in the fields of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Dr. Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning, and Development, Dr. Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness and Ms. Charlotte Pierre, British High Commissioner to Mauritius, attended the event in Port Louis. The promotion, development, and acceleration of pharmaceutical product manufacturing, including vaccines and other drugs, will be covered by the MoU.
The finance minister expressed his appreciation to the British High Commission for entering into this partnership with Mauritius. According to him, this partnership would add value and momentum to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries in Mauritius by successfully encouraging the growth of a prime and sustainable biopharmaceutical industry.
The Minister expressed his belief that the Memorandum of Understanding would facilitate the swift realization of Mauritius’ established vision for a high-tech biopharmaceutical industry, in line with the country’s goal of becoming a regional biopharmaceutical Center of Excellence. He emphasized that this partnership was a natural extension of Mauritius’ long-standing historical, social, and economic ties to the United Kingdom. Dr. Renganaden Padayachy recalled that the latter had been a crucial partner in the recent development of innovative, complex, and new industries in Mauritius.
In addition, the finance minister spoke about the proactive and creative approach that the Mauritius Government has taken to grow the biopharmaceutical industry, including a number of budgetary measures, such as establishing the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology Ltd. in 2021 with approximately USD 25 million in seed money.
Regarding the British High Commissioner, she emphasized the need for ongoing investment in capacity building in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological sectors and recalled how the creation of vaccines altered the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, saving many lives.
Ms. Charlotte Pierre said that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Mauritius and the UK was a good time and a great chance for the two countries to come together and build on their existing partnership to deal with challenges now and in the future.
She said that because both countries were on the road to recovery, they had to keep investing in the industries that would drive medical advancement and make a big impact on their economies.
She also emphasized that the Agreement was evidence of the shared values and high goals for the future of both parties and reflected their shared commitment to economic and health system resilience and efficiency. In addition, the British High Commissioner commended the Mauritius Government for its unwavering commitment to ending the COVID-19 pandemic and implementing measures to deal with its economic and financial effects.
