Maurice Stratégie Board Bill Passed with Amendments

On Tuesday, July 30, Finance Minister Renganaden Padayachy presented the ‘Maurice Stratégie Board Bill’ for its second reading in Parliament. The bill aiming to replace Maurice Stratégie Co Ltd with a new entity called the Maurice Stratégie Board. Following a series of debates, the bill was passed after the minister introduced several amendments to its original provisions.

In his presentation, Minister Padayachy outlined the primary responsibilities of the new Maurice Stratégie Board.

The entity is tasked with supporting the government in developing short- and long-term plans and strategies, conducting economic research, analyzing existing policies, facilitating public discussions on social, economic, and environmental issues, and evaluating government policies.

Additionally, the board will provide strategic insights to public agencies and carry out studies aimed at preparing for necessary reforms, integrating relevant international experiences.

To effectively execute its mission, the Maurice Stratégie Board will have the authority to establish sub-committees and commissions for advisory purposes, while also being able to solicit information from public agencies.

The board’s leadership will be comprised of significant figures, including the Financial Secretary as chair, Deputy Financial Secretaries, a representative from the Prime Minister’s office, the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Director of Statistics Mauritius, as well as representatives from the Bank of Mauritius, the Mauritius Revenue Authority, and the private sector.

The legislation also included provisions for sanctions in case of violations, imposing fines of up to Rs 500,000 and prison sentences of up to five years for false declarations.

During the discussions, opposition leader Arvin Boolell criticized the bill, arguing that the government’s proposal for a new entity could lead to the misallocation of public resources that should instead be used to strengthen existing institutions rather than creating new structures.

MMM MP Reza Uteem expressed his discontent with the timing of the bill, questioning the government’s motives in introducing this strategy just before the upcoming general elections.

“Why now? For ten years, the government has only focused on taxing the populace and incurring debt. Isn’t this a significant admission when the Finance Minister presents this bill?” he remarked.

Uteem recalled how, in 2015, the newly elected government introduced Vision 2030 for a second economic miracle, which ultimately failed.

He suggested that the new entity indicates a failure on the part of the EDB, attributing it to a lack of qualified personnel and resources.

Uteem also raised concerns that the Finance Minister might appoint favored individuals to high-paying positions within this new agency.

Supporters of the bill, including Minister Sunil Bholah and MSM MP Kenny Dhunoo, argued that the new entity’s creation is intended to revitalize the country’s economic development strategy.

Summarizing the debates, Minister Padayachy highlighted that the Maurice Stratégie Board replaces Maurice Stratégie Co Limited, which has been operational since March 2023 and has demonstrated its effectiveness.

He assured Parliament that the new board will consist of members possessing relevant expertise in their respective fields.

The minister also noted that the new identity of the board has benefited from insights provided by the French Development Agency, with its operational model drawing inspiration from existing frameworks in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Source: l’Express