The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Development, Dr. Renganaden Padayachy, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan, Mr Kawaguchi Shuichiro, signed and exchanged notes, this morning, as regards a Grant Assistance of 600 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 226 million), at the seat of the Ministry of Finance in Port Louis.
The grant agreement between Japan and Mauritius falls under the framework of the Economic and Social Development Programme aimed at reinforcing the country’s maritime safety and security.
In his address, Dr Padayachy expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for the additional grant of 600 million Japanese Yen and for being an undeniably committed partner of Mauritius. He stated that the financial support will help the country implement a new state-of-the-art radar surveillance system. This new surveillance system will assist our National Coast Guard in monitoring and tracking the movement of vessels transiting in Mauritius territorial waters, he added.
He indicated that the radar surveillance system will also assist the country in enhancing its coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone surveillance; improving monitoring of fisheries activities in our territorial waters; and enhancing its search and rescue capabilities.
Dr Padayachy further expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan for the assistance provided recently for the acquisition of medical equipment, high-speed boats, and equipment for use in natural disaster as well as the concessional loan of 30 billion Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 11.5 billion) as Budget support.
He recalled that during the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr Toshimitsu Motegi, to Mauritius last December, the latter stated that he would like to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. In this respect, we look forward to engage with the Japanese authorities for the conclusion of a General Economic Cooperation Agreement in the near future which would be mutually beneficial for our two countries, he said.
With a view to providing a more conducive environment for cross border investment flows and trade between Mauritius and Japan, Dr Padayachy called on the Japanese counterparts to work together for the conclusion of a Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty between our two countries; the establishment of a regional office of Japan External Trade Operation (JETRO) in Mauritius which would bring synergy between the Economic Development Board and JETRO; and the opening of a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) office in Mauritius to encourage investors to take advantage of Mauritius’ investment friendly ecosystem and close ties with Africa.
He also seized the opportunity to request the support of the Japan Embassy to facilitate a mission of the JETRO in Mauritius in the next months.
For his part, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan, Mr Kawaguchi Shuichiro emphasised that the extension of the Grant Assistance is another clear indication of the commitment and responsibility of the Japanese Government to support Mauritius. He expressed satisfaction that the Mauritian Government has put its trust in the Japanese Government for achieving its purpose of enhancing its maritime surveillance and safety.
He highlighted that as part of realising the Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy, a Japan’s contemporary foreign policy based on peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-pacific region, Japan decided to continue to work with Mauritius. He underlined that Mauritius is the most democratic country in the African region adding that Japan is ever ready to support Mauritius in implementing solid cooperative measures in the future.
