‘Government is committed to maintaining an uninterrupted supply of essential goods, ensuring that no matter what challenges the global stage may present, Mauritius will stand resilient’.
This was the crux of the message of the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, yesterday afternoon, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a State Trading Corporation (STC) Warehouse Facility, at the Riche Terre Business and Industrial Park. The project, at an estimated cost of Rs 1 billion, spans approximately 18,000 m2 in size.
The Minister of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training, Mr Soodesh Satkam Callichurn; the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection, Dr Marie Christiane Dorine Chukowry; the Parliamentary Private Secretary, Mr Sharvanand Ramkaun; the General Manager of STC, Mr Rajiv Servansingh; and several dignitaries also attended the ceremony.
In his address, Prime Minister Jugnauth hailed the project as a significant milestone in the STC’s mission to enhance citizens’ quality of life, underlining its pivotal role in stabilising essential commodity prices and navigating global trade complexities. He stressed the STC’s contribution to ensuring affordability and stability of goods for all Mauritians, while also spotlighting its role in positioning Mauritius as a global leader in quality food supplies.
Speaking about the New STC Warehouse, the Prime Minister announced plans for a modern facility equipped with cutting-edge technology, aimed at maintaining a stable supply of essentials and mitigating risks associated with global economic fluctuations and environmental challenges. He, thus, emphasised the critical importance of such infrastructure investments for small island developing nations like Mauritius, highlighting the new warehouse’s role as a buffer against supply chain disruptions and its contribution to enhancing national resilience.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Jugnauth underscored the warehouse’s potential to strengthen Mauritius’ resilience to external shocks, enhancing both emergency responsiveness and operational efficiency. He further positioned the project within the broader Government agenda of modernising public infrastructure, envisioning it as a strategic step toward transforming Mauritius into a pivotal gateway for commerce in the region and fostering economic growth and trade ties across Africa and Asia.
For her part, Minister Chukowry underscored that the project signifies more than mere infrastructure investment, highlighting its broader implications for strengthening food security, economic resilience, and the well-being of Mauritians. She dwelt on the STC’s pivotal role in Mauritius’ economic framework, noting its longstanding contribution to socio-economic advancement and its proactive efforts in driving sustained economic growth and fostering diversification.
Moreover, lauding STC’s resilience amidst formidable challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and global geopolitical disruptions, Minister Chukowry observed that despite these obstacles, STC’s unwavering commitment ensured the continuous supply of essential goods to every Mauritian household, demonstrating its resolute spirit and dedication to fulfilling the nation’s needs. This, she added, demonstrates that the STC is committed to procuring and distributing enhanced products, upholding our commitment to improving public health and well-being.
As for Mr Servansingh, he discussed the progressive evolution of STC, emphasising its transformation from its previous state to its current role, particularly highlighting its story concerning rice importation and distribution in Mauritius. He assured that STC will maintain its position as the exclusive importer of four essential and strategic commodities, namely petroleum products, long-grain white rice, domestic LPG gas, and fortified wheat flour.
