Over 40 private investment projects with an investment value of some Rs 110 billion and an implementation timeline spread over the next 5 years were examined at the 4th High Level committee chaired by the Hon. Prime Minister on 8th September 2021. The objective of the High Level Committee is to expedite the processing and approval of private sector investment projects, ensure timely delivery of permits and licences and address administrative bottlenecks that may slow down and hinder both local and foreign investment in the country.
Several Ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo; the Vice-Prime Minister, Dr Anwar Husnoo; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Mr Alan Ganoo; the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy; the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard; the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr Kavydass Ramano; the Attorney-General and Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin; and the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranath Sharma Hurreeram were part of the Committee.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Om Kumar Dabidin and the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Medha Gunputh, along with senior officials of governmental and private bodies were also present.
The objective of the High-Level Committee is to accelerate the processing and the approval for private sector investment projects so as to ensure timely delivery of permits and licences.
In a statement following the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Board (EDB), Mr Ken Poonoosamy, highlighted that the Committee will facilitate to fast track investment projects in several sectors of the economy including pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and hospitality.
He observed that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many promoters especially in the manufacturing and tourism sector are reviewing their current strategies to adapt to the situation. Hence, the importance of private sector investment to boosting economic recovery, promoting foreign direct investment as well as preserving jobs.
Mr Poonoosamy further pointed out that discussions also focused on administrative bottlenecks hindering local and foreign investment in the country. A number of issues concerning building and land use permits, EIA licences and clearance for housing, land and infrastructure were addressed, he indicated.
The High-Level Committee, he added, will provide support to advise on policy clearance while ensuring institutional coordination for the implementation of major projects.
Projects in several sectors of activities, including medical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, education, hospitality, bunkering, residential and mixed-use developments, were examined at the Committee.
Some of these projects include:
- A pharmaceutical manufacturing plant at Rose-Belle
- A state-of-the-art clinic at Mont Choisy
- Educational facilities with students’ accommodations in Flacq
- A day-care and wellness centre in Tamarin
- Hotel and hotel renovation projects in Bel Ombre, Les Salines, Palmar, Balaclava, Point aux Piments, Grand Baie, Belle Mare and Rodrigues
- An SME park in Mangalkhan, Floreal
- An Industrial park at Rose-Belle
- Mixed-use and commercial projects within smart cities.
The pharmaceutical plant project has been issued an EIA licence and is the first project that will be implemented at Rose-Belle, an area that has been identified for the Pharmaceutical Park. This project will entail an investment of Rs 300 million.
New road infrastructure projects, under a cost sharing mechanism with the private sector, were also discussed at the Committee, namely:
- A new road from the New Airport Link Road to Le Bouchon; and
- A grade separated junction to link the proposed Verdun Bypass & St Pierre Bypass
A proposal for the Regeneration of Ile Aux Cerfs was also on the agenda of the Committee.
With the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning and Minister of Tourism, the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, the Minister of Environment, the Financial Secretary and the CEO of the EDB, the High Level Committee has been successful in providing support to accelerate the implementation of major projects, advise on policy clearance and give institutional coordination.
