A stakeholder validation workshop in context of the Feasibility Study on a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), an initiative of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security in collaboration with the African Development Bank, was launched this morning at the Hennessy Park Hotel in Ebène.
In his address, Minister Maneesh Gobin dwelt on the successful ventures Mauritius has had in terms of processing in various sectors including, the cane industry, textile industry and tea industry. He pointed out that the country’s special processed sugar, tea and high-end garments have reached niche markets on the international landscape and stressed that we should replicate the same processing capabilities in the food sector.
As regards the salient advantages of agro-processing activities, the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security underlined that they will significantly help to reduce the country’s import bill by providing local import substitution for various finished and processed products currently being imported.
Also present on the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Business Mauritius, Mr Kevin Ramkaloan, recalled that agriculture forms part of the country’s five pillars of development. He outlined the key benefits of having a SAPZ, namely enabling import substitution which will have a multiplier effect in the economy; strengthening food security to meet both the country’s needs and that of the region and contribute to the regional and global supply chain.
The objective of creating and implementing a SAPZ is to provide a conducive environment to attract private investors and empower entrepreneurs (including youth and women) in processing and value addition to agricultural produce. The SAPZ will help to contribute to the country’s economic growth and development, achieve nutritional and food security, minimise wastage of agricultural produce, import substitution, employment generation and boost trade inclusively and sustainably.
The project is in line with the vision of the Government of Mauritius to transform the non-sugar sector into a diversified, competitive agro-processing industry and provide job opportunities for the youth and enhance the island’s resilience to food crisis associated with COVID-19 and climate change by 2030. It would be the main driver of growth in agri-business and agro-processing sector.
The Special Agro-Industrial zone will be a world class value chain infrastructure and will provide support services to attract private investors to the development of the agro- processing sector.
